RNS Number:5236H
Celtic PLC
14 February 2003
14 February 2003
Celtic plc
INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE SIX MONTHS TO 31 DECEMBER 2002
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE RESULTS
* Celtic remain involved in four football competitions, including the UEFA
Cup.
* Turnover reduced to #30.01m largely as a result of not progressing to UEFA
Champions' League first group stage.
* Profit from operations of #0.20m.
* Loss before taxation of #5.64m.
* #4.82m invested in intangible fixed assets including signing 2 new
players.
Commenting on the results, Brian Quinn, Chairman said:
"The Company's performance during the first half of this financial year, both on
and off the field, has been heavily influenced by European competition. In
addition, we have been operating in a more challenging business environment,
from which Celtic has not been immune. Nevertheless, and looking ahead to the
second half of the Company's year, there are some signs from which we can take
encouragement.
Since the half year-end, we have announced an attractive three year shirt
sponsorship deal with Carling. We are still involved in 4 competitions,
including the UEFA Cup and our Manager has agreed to a new contract and is now
devoting all his attention and energies to delivering success in these
competitions."
For further information contact:
Iain Jamieson, Celtic plc Tel: 0141 551 4276
Lindsey Harrison, Gavin Anderson & Company Tel: 020 7554 1400
Keith Brookbank, Gavin Anderson & Company Tel: 020 7554 1400
CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT
The Company's performance during the first half of this financial year, both on
and off the field, has been heavily influenced by European competition. In
addition, we have been operating in a more challenging business environment for
football clubs, from which Celtic has not been immune. Nevertheless, and looking
ahead to the second half of the Company's year, there are some signs from which
we can take encouragement.
This season we did not qualify to compete in the UEFA Champions' League, going
out to Basle F.C. in the qualifying round. This had a very significant effect
on revenues from football match-day tickets, from television and other
multi-media and in our retail and catering operations. Income from ticket sales
would have been lower but for the 10% increase in standard season ticket prices.
Some of the revenue shortfall was offset by our success to date in the UEFA Cup.
Following victory over Suduva from Lithuania, Celtic beat Blackburn Rovers of
the F.A. Premier League and Celta Vigo of the Spanish Primera Liga. These
results against high quality opposition have enabled us to progress to a 4th
round tie against Stuttgart of the Bundesliga later in February.
At home, Celtic is still very much in contention for the Scottish Premier League
title, with a good prospect of competing successfully for our third successive
championship; and we have progressed to the final and fourth round of the C.I.S.
League Cup and Scottish F.A. Cup, respectively. In brief the team, strengthened
by new signings, continues to perform well.
Since the end of the reporting period Martin O'Neill, who manages the team with
great distinction, has agreed to a new one-year rolling contract. This is a
most welcome development. I said in my Chairman's Statement for last year that
we would make every effort to retain Martin, and the Board is pleased that we
have been able to do so.
Financial performance in the half year has been mixed. Turnover fell to #30
million compared to #36 million a year ago, largely reflecting the loss of
revenues from participation in the UEFA Champions' League. The great bulk of
this reflected lower income from multi-media and communications and from match
day tickets, but was to some extent recouped from UEFA Cup ties. Positive
contributions from new stores in Edinburgh and Glasgow helped mitigate a fall in
turnover of 16% in our merchandising operations in a very difficult trading
environment.
Operating expenses were broadly unchanged compared to last year. The ability of
football clubs to bring costs into line with falling revenues is constrained in
the current climate by the medium term nature of many players' contracts
negotiated in earlier periods, which effectively locks in players' remuneration
at a high level and indeed, in some cases at increasing levels. The weakness of
the transfer market therefore, paradoxically, makes it very hard to reduce
football costs in the short term. Nevertheless, the increase in Celtic's
professional football player costs, which stand at 53.8% of turnover for the
period, was negligible.
The enhancement of our youth development programme continues. We have
significantly expanded and strengthened our scouting and coaching systems: the
number of scouts has increased from 10 to 40, covering the whole of the U.K. and
Ireland; and the number of development centres in Scotland has more than
doubled, from 6 to 13, in less than 9 months. We are already seeing the results
in the form of attracting and retaining young footballers of great promise. We
continue to pursue our objective of moving to fully equipped, purpose - built
training facilities and are actively looking at options. Planning and financing
such facilities takes time and money. We propose to choose carefully and
wisely, while acknowledging that we have not been able to move as quickly as at
one time we had hoped.
Profit from operations effectively broke even and was some #6.6 million lower
than last year. Amortisation costs rose because of acquisitions of new players,
producing an operating loss of just over #5 million and a pre-tax loss of #5.6
million - i.e. more than accounted for by the net revenue loss from involvement
in European competition.
Net assets amounted at the end of the period to #41.8 million, compared with
#54.9 million a year ago. Total net debt rose from #16.5 million at 30th June
last year to #24.2 million, almost all of it medium - term in nature. The
increase arises from trading losses, instalments on player acquisitions and
capital expenditure.
Outlook
Although the football sector is going through a period of financial pressures,
the adjustment to which I referred in my last Chairman's Statement is now under
way. Clubs are beginning to tackle their cost base and are no longer spending
substantial sums in anticipation of buying success or avoiding failure.
Celtic's position is no different and we will have to make a sustained effort to
bring our costs down. Like every other club, the pace at which we can generate
savings in the immediate future may be constrained, as mentioned above, but the
trend is clear.
The dispute that threatened the future of the Scottish Premier League is now
all but settled and this provides a stable basis on which to take the game at
home forward. Since the half - year end, we have announced an attractive three
year shirt sponsorship deal with Carling.
We are still involved in 4 competitions, including the UEFA Cup. Our Manager
has agreed to a new contract and is now devoting all his attention and energies
to delivering success in these competitions.
Financial performance in the second half of this financial year will depend
primarily on progress in the 4 competitions in which we are still involved. The
established pattern of a stronger first half result may persist, although
further progress in the UEFA Cup could conceivably alter that. It is estimated
that we would have to go to the semi-final of that competition to compensate for
failure to reach the first stage of the Champions' League. However, we are
unlikely to recoup the losses of revenue from other sources. We retain a huge,
faithful support, which, as ever, is the lifeblood of our club. As a Board we
shall continue to work to achieve our own "double": football success and
financial stability.
14 February 2003 Brian Quinn CBE
INDEPENDENT REVIEW REPORT TO CELTIC plc
Introduction
We have been instructed by the Company to review the financial information for
the six months ended 31 December 2002, which comprises the Group Profit and Loss
Account, Group Balance Sheet, Group Cash Flow Statement and the related notes.
We have read the other information contained in the interim report and
considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material
inconsistencies with the financial information.
Directors' Responsibilities
The interim report, including the financial information contained therein, is
the responsibility of, and has been approved by the directors. The directors
are responsible for preparing the interim report in accordance with the Listing
Rules of the Financial Services Authority which require that the accounting
policies and presentation applied to the interim figures should be consistent
with those applied in preparing the preceding annual accounts except where any
changes, and the reasons for them, are disclosed.
Review Work Performed
We conducted our review in accordance with guidance contained in Bulletin 1999/4
issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the United Kingdom. A review
consists principally of making enquiries of Group management and applying
analytical procedures to the financial information and underlying financial data
and based thereon, assessing whether the accounting policies and presentation
have been consistently applied unless otherwise disclosed. A review excludes
audit procedures such as tests of controls and verification of assets,
liabilities and transactions. It is substantially less in scope than an audit
performed in accordance with United Kingdom Auditing Standards and therefore
provides a lower level of assurance than an audit. Accordingly we do not
express an audit opinion on the financial information.
Review Conclusion
On the basis of our review we are not aware of any material modifications that
should be made to the financial information as presented for the six months
ended 31 December 2002.
PKF Registered Auditors
Glasgow, UK
14 February 2003
GROUP PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT
6 months to 12 months
31 December to 30 June
2002 2001 2002
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Notes #'000 #'000 #'000
TURNOVER 3 30,009 36,360 56,892
OPERATING EXPENSES (29,807) (29,498) (51,522)
-------- -------- ---------
PROFIT FROM OPERATIONS 202 6,862 5,370
AMORTISATION OF INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS (5,292) (4,251) (8,814)
NET GAIN ON SALE OF INTANGIBLE
FIXED ASSETS 4 - 943 1,474
-------- --------- --------
OPERATING (LOSS) / PROFIT (5,090) 3,554 (1,970)
LOSS ON DISPOSAL OF TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS - - (107)
INTEREST PAYABLE AND SIMILAR CHARGES (553) (464) (897)
------ ------- -------
(LOSS) / PROFIT ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES
BEFORE TAXATION (5,643) 3,090 (2,974)
TAX ON ORDINARY ACTIVITIES 5 - - (65)
-------- --------- --------
(LOSS) / PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD (5,643) 3,090 (3,039)
DIVIDENDS 6 - - (1,301)
-------- --------- --------
RETAINED (LOSS) / PROFIT FOR THE PERIOD (5,643) 3,090 (4,340)
===== ==== =====
(LOSS) / EARNINGS PER ORDINARY SHARE 7 (20.84p) 8.03p (14.26p)
===== ==== =====
DILUTED (LOSS) / EARNINGS PER SHARE 7 (20.84p) 4.95p (14.26p)
===== ==== =====
All amounts relate to continuing operations.
There were no gains or losses recognised in any of the above results other than
the (loss) / profit for the period.
GROUP BALANCE SHEET
31 December 30 June
2002 2001 2002
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
Notes #'000 #'000 #'000
FIXED ASSETS
Tangible assets 48,896 47,055 48,266
Intangible assets 8 25,419 28,197 25,895
-------- -------- --------
74,315 75,252 74,161
CURRENT ASSETS
Stocks 1,574 1,160 1,258
Deferred tax asset 5,615 5,680 5,615
Debtors 4,998 6,273 4,532
Cash at bank and in hand 249 1,691 533
-------- -------- --------
12,436 14,804 11,938
CREDITORS - Amounts falling due within one year 9 (13,568) (13,794) (12,607)
Income deferred less than one year (6,883) (8,755) (8,682)
-------- -------- --------
NET CURRENT LIABILITIES (8,015) (7,745) (9,351)
-------- -------- --------
TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT LIABILITIES 66,300 67,507 64,810
CREDITORS - Amounts falling due after more
than one year 10 (24,508) (12,642) (17,375)
-------- -------- --------
NET ASSETS 41,792 54,865 47,435
===== ===== =====
CAPITAL AND RESERVES
Called up share capital (includes non-equity) 11 29,405 29,405 29,405
Share premium 21,222 21,222 21,222
Profit and loss account (8,835) 4,238 (3,192)
-------- -------- --------
SHAREHOLDERS' FUNDS 41,792 54,865 47,435
===== ===== =====
Approved by the Board on 14 February 2003
GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT
6 months to 12 months to
31 December 30 June
2002 2001 2002
Unaudited Unaudited Audited
#'000 #'000 #'000
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING ( LOSS) / PROFIT TO
NET CASH (OUTFLOW) / INFLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Operating (loss) / profit (5,090) 3,554 (1,970)
Depreciation 681 515 1,051
Amortisation 5,292 4,251 8,814
Net gain on sale of intangible fixed assets - (943) (1,474)
Grants release - - (1)
(Increase) / decrease in stocks (316) 68 (30)
(Increase) / decrease in debtors (1,741) (145) 774
(Decrease) / increase in creditors (109) 1,054 359
------ ------- -----
Net cash (outflow) / inflow from operating activities (1,283) 8,354 7,523
------ ------- -----
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Net cash (outflow) / inflow from operating activities (1,283) 8,354 7,523
Returns on investments and servicing of finance (1,111) (1,063) (2,296)
Capital expenditure and financial investment (5,324) (10,889) (14,591)
------ ------- -----
Cash outflow before use of liquid resources
and financing (7,718) (3,598) (9,364)
Financing 7,308 12,526 17,133
------ ------- -----
(Decrease) / increase in cash (410) 8,928 7,769
==== ===== =====
RECONCILIATION OF NET CASH FLOW TO
MOVEMENT IN NET DEBT
(Decrease) / increase in cash in the period (410) 8,928 7,769
Cash (outflow) / inflow from movement in debt (7,308) 9,190 5,383
------ ------- -----
Movement in net debt in the period (7,718) 18,118 13,152
Net debt at 1 July (16,473) (29,625) (29,625)
------ ------- -----
Net debt at period end (24,191) (11,507) (16,473)
====== ====== ======
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. The results for the year ended 30 June 2002 are extracted from the
accounts filed with the Registrar of Companies, which contained an unqualified
audit report.
2. The interim results for the 6 months to 31 December 2002, which comprise
the Group Profit and Loss Account, Group Balance Sheet, Group Cash Flow
Statement and the related notes, have been prepared on the same basis and using
the same accounting policies as those used in the preparation of the last full
year's accounts to 30 June 2002.
3. TURNOVER
6 months to 12 months
31 December to 30 June
2002 2001 2002
Turnover comprised: #'000 #'000 #'000
Professional football 17,885 17,436 27,715
Multimedia & communications 4,684 10,488 16,216
Merchandising 5,820 6,946 10,001
Stadium enterprises 911 846 1,684
Youth development 709 644 1,276
------ ------ ------
30,009 36,360 56,892
=== === ===
Number of home games 20 18 27
=== === ===
4. NET GAIN ON SALE OF INTANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
No net gain on sale is reported in the current period. The gain last year was
represented principally by the disposals of Mark Burchill and Stewart Kerr.
5. After taking account of unutilised tax losses brought forward, together
with the projected performance for the next six months, no provision for
taxation is required.
6. As in previous years no provision has been made in respect of the 6%
dividend of #556,000 that is payable on the Preference Shares on 31 August 2003
nor for the 4% dividend of #900,000 that is payable on the Convertible
Preferred Ordinary Shares on 31 August 2004 in respect of the year ending 30
June 2003.
7. Loss / earnings per share has been calculated by dividing the profit for
the period by the weighted average number of Ordinary Shares in issue 30,564,593
(2001: 30,324,188), after taking account of one half of the net dividends in
note 6 above. Diluted loss / earnings per share has been calculated using the
same figures as the basic calculation. No account has been taken of share
purchase options, as these potential ordinary shares are not considered to be
dilutive under the definitions of the applicable accounting standards.
8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS
31 December 30 June
2002 2001 2002
#'000 #'000 #'000
Cost
At 1 July 47,915 50,082 50,082
Additions 4,816 9,456 12,107
Disposals (940) (12,949) (14,274)
------- --------- ---------
At period end 51,791 46,589 47,915
------- --------- ---------
Amortisation
At 1 July 22,020 25,976 25,976
Charge for the period 5,292 4,251 8,814
Disposals (940) (11,835) (12,770)
------- --------- ---------
At period end 26,372 18,392 22,020
------- --------- ---------
Net Book Value at period end 25,419 28,197 25,895
===== ===== =====
9. CREDITORS - AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR
The amounts payable in agreed instalments in respect of the transfer of player
registrations at 31 December 2002 and included in creditors amounted to
#3,075,000 (2001: #3,430,000).
10. CREDITORS - AMOUNTS FALLING DUE AFTER MORE THAN ONE YEAR
The increase in creditors due after more than one year reflects the increase in
loans drawn down at the end of the period. As at 31 December 2002 #23.5m of a
#24.0m 20-year loan facility was drawn. This compares with loans of #16.0m
drawn at 30 June 2002 and #12.0m at 31 December 2001. The Company's bank
facility of #36.0m comprises an overdraft facility of #12.0m, of which #11.87m
remains unutilised at 31 December 2002, and term loans of #24.0m of which #7.3m
is repayable in equal quarterly instalments from October 2009 until April 2019,
and #16.7m is repayable in July 2019. The Company has the option to repay the
loans earlier than these dates without penalty.
11. SHARE CAPITAL
Authorised Allotted, called up and fully paid
31 December 31 December
Group and Company 2002 2001 2002 2002 2001 2001
No.'000 No.'000 No.'000 #000 No.'000 #000
Equity
Ordinary Shares of 1p each 36,339 36,289 30,590 306 30,539 305
Non-equity
Convertible Preferred Ordinary Shares
of #1 each 20,000 20,000 18,012 18,012 18,012 18,012
Convertible Cumulative Preference
Shares of 60p each 19,661 19,711 17,160 10,297 17,211 10,327
Deferred Shares of 1p each 78,998 76,052 79,034 790 76,052 761
-------- -------- -------- ------ -------- ------
154,998 152,052 144,796 29,405 141,814 29,405
===== ===== ===== ===== ===== ====
During the six month period to 31 December 2002 49,939 Convertible Cumulative
Preference Shares of 60p each were converted into 49,939 Ordinary Shares of 1p
each and 2,946,401 Deferred Shares of 1p each in accordance with Article 4C(1)
of the Company's Articles of Association. The above split of share capital
between equity and non-equity is disclosed in accordance with FRS4.
12 TRANSFER FEES PAYABLE/RECEIVABLE
Under the terms of certain contracts in respect of the transfer of player
registrations, additional amounts will be payable/receivable by the Company if
specific future conditions are met. Amounts in respect of such contracts could
result in an amount payable of #1,320,000 of which #1,110,000 could arise within
one year, and amounts receivable of #750,000 of which #550,000 could arise
within one year.
13 POST BALANCE SHEET EVENTS
On 7 January Simon Lynch was transferred to Preston North End Football Club and
on 10 January Jonathan Gould was also transferred to Preston North End. On 24
January Javier Sanchez Broto was signed from Livingston Football Club and on 13
February Slovakian international defender Stanislav Varga was signed subject to
the football authorities confirming that the player is eligible for
registration. On 3 January 2003 Celtic announced its intention to enter into a
new three year shirt sponsorship agreement with Coors Brewing Limited (Carling)
when the existing sponsorship agreement with NTL expires in June 2003 and on 22
January the football manager Martin O'Neill agreed to enter into a new one year
rolling contract with Celtic replacing his existing contract which was due to
expire on 30 June 2003.
Directors
Brian Quinn CBE (Chairman)*
Ian J W McLeod (Chief Executive)
Eric J Riley (Financial)
Kevin Sweeney*
Dermot F Desmond*
Tom Allison *
Sir Patrick Sheehy (Senior Independent Director)*
Secretary
Robert M Howat
Directors of the Celtic Football and Athletic
Company Limited and Celtic Football Club
Ian J W McLeod
Eric J Riley
Jim Hone
Kevin Sweeney*
John S Keane*
Michael A McDonald*
* Independent Non-Executive Director
Secretary
Robert M Howat
Football Manager
Martin O'Neill
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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