Warwickshire report profit despite Covid-19 pandemic

Despite spending much of a truncated summer behind closed doors the club have announced encouraging figures, though down on previous estimates

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Warwickshire have reported a small profit for the financial year 2019-20 amid the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Almost all of the English cricketing summer was played behind closed doors, with Edgbaston missing out on several major match days.

England's second Test against West Indies and second one-day international against Ireland were due to be played at the Birmingham venue.

Additionally, T20 Blast Finals Day was completed without fans while the inaugural year of The Hundred was postponed.

Though profits were down £1 million from pre-season estimates, the club have confirmed a profit of £281,000.

Having furloughed staff and players as part of the government's job retention scheme, Warwickshire were able to offset any expected losses.

Fans were able to roll-over tickets for 2021 - a Test against New Zealand and an ODI with Pakistan are pencilled in for June and July - while over 60 per cent of members donated their fees.

Edgbaston was part of a brief trial to return fans to sports events but a fresh spike in coronavirus cases quickly saw the initiative halted.

It remains to be seen whether supporters will be permitted to return to grounds in time for the start of the season, which begins on April 8.

^{Edgbaston hosted fans for one day as part of a trial to return spectators to sports events}

"Strong sales of major match tickets and club memberships for the 2020 season put us in a good position to initially mitigate the impact of COVID," said Warwickshire chief operating officer Craig Flindall.

"Major match ticket sales in March 2020 were significantly ahead of budget, with three days sold out, and we were able to retain these revenues through the game’s ticket cancellation insurance.

"Whilst the relocation of these matches did result in the loss of hospitality, catering and retail revenues, we are very grateful to the ECB and the overseas boards for the great efforts made to stage these matches in bio-secure venues in order protect the whole game’s revenues. 

"In addition to the profit protection measures we put in place, we are very appreciative of the support of members, supporters and our strategic partners which should ensure that the club is able to continue to trade through this uncertain period whilst we await the return of crowds and our conference and events business."

Chief executive Stuart Cain added: "As a sporting organisation it’s critical that we do everything possible to serve the communities that we represent and that we show support during a time in need. 

"I’m very proud of the efforts that the club and our staff have made and we will do more to build on this response to COVID when we return to full cricket and business operations in the coming months."