Caley Thistle manager John Robertson insists he will continue to make the most of the playing budget he is afforded after the club reported a loss of £810,000 for the last financial year.
Inverness yesterday released their annual report for the financial year ending 31 May, 2018, which cited lower prize money, less television revenue and smaller crowds and season ticket sales as the main reasons for the shortfall.
Inverness are in their second successive season in the Championship, currently occupying fourth place and on course for a promotion play-off place ahead of tonight’s trip to Dundee United.
Robertson is intent on getting value for money from his squad as Caley Jags continue to deal with the harsh challenges of life in the second-tier.
Robertson, who confirmed on-loan Hearts midfielder Anthony McDonald will be sidelined for two to three weeks with a groin injury, said: “I can only affect what affects me.
“I was given a budget at the start of the season and we’ve kept under it, used it wisely. It will be the same this year, whatever budget I get. I’ve got to make it work.
“It is a tough job being the director of a football club these days, trying to make ends meet.
“All I can do is use the budget I’m given to the best of my ability. I haven’t been told it yet, so there’s nothing I can really comment on.
“Things I can’t affect, I don’t get involved in. It’s hard enough to do the job under normal circumstances. The board will give me a budget and I’ll work with that budget to bring in the best players I possibly can.”
Inverness chairman Graham Rae says youth and community will be at the heart of the club’s focus during Caley Jags’ 25th anniversary year, with the club having recently completed a deal to secure the lease of Caledonian Stadium and its three stands from Tulloch Homes.
Rae hopes the creation of the ICT Foundation to promote youth, health and wellbeing and community initiatives, along with the recent launch of a Caley Thistle women’s team, is a step in the right direction, and he said: “Managing a professional football club in the Scottish Championship is tough financially.
“Inverness like many other UK based football clubs have highlighted that they are not routinely financially self-sustaining, instead being reliant on player trading, new investments, as well as funding from directors, patrons and shareholders to cover cash flow issues, revenue shortfalls and operating losses.
“Life outside of the Premiership is extremely challenging but we have created a business plan to dramatically change the way we run the company to ensure we not only survive as a club but go forward positively within our means and winning the hearts and minds of our community.”
Inverness have announced the club’s Annual General Meeting will take place on Monday, March 18.
