Club chairman Peter Tom told the Leicester Tigers annual general meeting on Thursday that forging lasting relationships with supporters and commercial partners lies at the centre of the club’s business.
In the annual report and accounts, Tigers announced that in the 12 months to 30 June 2017, turnover was £19.7 million – up from £19 million in 2016 – as the business recorded an operating loss of £686,000.
Chairman Peter Tom CBE told the AGM: “English club rugby is among the most competitive arenas in sport and the Tigers boast an incredible record of achievement over many years.
“The level of competition is as high off the field as on it and, in this competitive marketplace, the Tigers secured record sponsorship revenues in the year and record numbers of tickets were sold for games at Welford Road.
“The club continues to attract and retain an outstanding group of sponsors and commercial partners, and I would like to thank them all of them for their support.
“In 2016/17, we announced Holland and Barrett as main sponsors while continuing to work closely with other major brands including STIHL, Fischer Future Fuels and The Nottingham Building Society. We have also welcomed Mattioli Woods, Breedon Group, Thomas Cook Sport, Aggregate Industries and Leo Vegas as new partners during the last 12 months.
“A goal we have is to try to make these links between us and commercial partners into longstanding relationships. That relationship continues with supporters too, with more than 320,000 match tickets sold for Welford Road during 2016/17.”
Season tickets accounted for £3.7 million in revenue, with match tickets income of £5.5 million.
“The most important part of the club other than what we do on the pitch is the support we have no matter where we play,” Tom added. “On behalf of the directors, management and players, I thank all of our supporters for their loyalty and commitment home and away.
“We welcome hundreds of young supporters from schools and junior rugby clubs for every home game, while developing broader links throughout the country with community and junior rugby events.
“Alongside this, the club has a global plan which spreads the name of the Tigers far and wide. In the last 12 months, we have worked in Italy, Japan, Malaysia and the United States which are all significant locations in the growth of the global game. It is important for us that the Tigers remain central to that development.”
In the formal part of the meeting. serving directors David Abell, Simon Cohen, Ben Kay, Andrea Pinchen, Tom Scott and Ian Walker were re-elected to the Board.
