In its just-published accounts for its first full financial year since the curtain came down on the Covid-19 pandemic, Gloucester Rugby Ltd has reported a £7 million increase in turnover to £17,035,172.
The leap in income reflects the steep climb the Kingsholm-based business has had to make out of the zero-income hole every Premiership Rugby club landed in when the pandemic stopped all games in early 2020.
And in a sector which seeks to make no profit or loss, aiming to invest everything it makes in success, there was also a stark reminder of how the very best run clubs are intrinsically linked to the financial affairs of all.
Martin St Quinton, owner and chairman of Gloucester Rugby, said: 'The company has reported a loss after tax of £628,917 (up from 2021's loss of £141,529 on income of £10,846,305).'
That financial hit, said St Quinton, was a direct result of the demise of Worcester Warriors and the resulting loss of matchday income from the cancellation of a single game against its one-time rival.
It is the only black mark in an annual report (for the year to 30 June 2022) that should otherwise make for happy reading for Gloucester fans, underlining investment including a new artificial pitch, a new indoor training facility beside the Kingsholm ground, grass-roots players and the rise of Gloucester Hartpury Women's team.
The report also reveals Gloucester Rugby benefitted to the tune of £12.8 million from a deal between Premiership Rugby (which runs the Gallagher Premiership Rugby league) and the private equity firm CVC Capital Partners. The deal was first announced in 2018 and involved the sale of a minority share in Premiership Rugby.
The number of playing staff rose during the year from 100 to 106 during the period and commercial, administrative and support staff numbers fell by 28 to 220.
