MANCHESTER CITY

ANNUAL REPORT 2014-15

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Welcome

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

For everybody involved with Manchester City
FC, it is hard to look back on the 2014-15
season without a degree of disappointment.
Despite some strong performances, and a
second place finish in the Premier League,
the Club ended its domestic and European
campaigns without a title to show for its efforts.

Our transition to profitability has been a longplanned milestone one targeted and worked
diligently towards since His Highness Sheikh
Mansours acquisition of the club in 2008. As a
result, to put things in their simplest terms, we
are now a profitable business with no debt and
no outstanding restrictions.

The fact that we consider last season to be

below par for Manchester City is a testament to
how far we have come in the last seven years.
This is a level of ambition that we should not
shirk or shy away from. It is right to have high
expectations for this great Club and the talented
group of players chosen to represent it.

Financial profitability was not the only planned

long-term milestone to be achieved this year.
The opening, in December 2014, of the City
Football Academy (CFA) saw our mens,
womens and youth teams come together
to train at the same site in the shadow of the
newly expanded Etihad Stadium. With twothirds of the site dedicated to youth football,
our infrastructure is now contributing to a clear
and strong pathway from our Academy and
development squads to top- tier football.

Of the many things that have changed since

the Club broke its trophy drought with the FA
Cup in 2011, a widespread belief in our ability
to compete and succeed has been one of
the most significant developments. No team
can expect to win every year, but competing
to win in Englands domestic competitions
and improving our performance in the UEFA
Champions League are entirely reasonable
goals for Manchester City.
The desire for silverware has always been
a critical element of His Highness Sheikh
Mansour bin Zayeds strategy for the
reinvigoration of Manchester City FC both on
and off the pitch. Its a strategy predicated
on long-term sustainability and the ongoing
development of momentum year-after-year.
As a result of the momentum created to date,
this season, Manchester City FC delivered a
profit of 10.7m from record annual revenues
of 351.8m and a seventh straight year of
year-on-year revenue growth. Once again,
the season saw the Club operating with zero
financial debt.

The CFA is already having a transformational

impact on the recruitment, training and
development of our people. Importantly, it
has also positively impacted the community
in which it sits. But our belief is that the most
powerful contribution that the CFA will make
is to the young players who graduate from it
now and in the years to come; by helping them
to reach their potential both on the field and in
their wider lives.
The signs are all positive. Our Academy
enjoyed one of its most successful years
to date with accomplishments at every age
group, whilst our players participating in the
St Bedes School program achieved academic
success with GCSE results 5 percentage
points above the national average. Ten players
from our development system earned first
team debuts in 2014-15 and in their inaugural
season the re-launched Manchester City
Womens FC won the Continental Cup, with

nine members of the MCWFC first team

playing for their national squads.
The CFA has global resonance and that has
significantly contributed to the ongoing growth
of the Manchester City brand globally. All
metrics point to the right kind of accelerated
commercial growth and that development
is also in large part due to the City Football
Group strategy that has been rolled out over
the last two years. The Group creates global
scale and at the same time regional and local
expertise in all aspects of operations. It is a
credit to all those involved and in particular to
the leadership of Ferran Soriano.
Whilst last year was not the complete
performance that we strove for, we continued
to deliver against many of our objectives and in
doing so further strengthened the foundations
for future success. It is heartening to feel the
shared purpose and ambition now common
to everyone involved with Manchester City.
The new season brings with it a welcome and
renewed opportunity to test our capabilities
and once again measure how far we have
come as a Club.
Khaldoon Al Mubarak,
Manchester City Football Club
Chairman

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Welcome

MESSAGE FROM THE CEO

The 2014-15 season marked a historical
step in Manchester Citys journey. The Club
delivered an annual profit for the first time
since its acquisition in 2008 whilst continuing
to compete at the top of the Premier League
and in the Champions League.
In the 2014-15 campaign, Manchester Citys
second place finish confirmed our position
as the most consistently high-performing
team in the Premier League over the last four
years, and once again we progressed beyond
the Group stage in the UEFA Champions
League. These consistent results indicate we
are doing a lot of things right, but they are
not enough. We will never be happy about a
season without trophies. The priority and the
focus of our work is to convert more of these
opportunities into titles in the years ahead.
In the same period, Manchester City
delivered an annual profit of 10.7m on the
back of a continued increase in revenue and
an ongoing reduction in costs. The financial
model and the strategic investment is proven
to work. Manchester City is now a profitable,
self-sustainable club competing at the
highest level in world football.
The seeds of this years profit were sown
some years ago and many people have
contributed to making it happen. They
deserve to be thanked and recognized. We
also know that this is not the end, but the
continuation of a process that should take us
to an even brighter future.

2014-15 has also been a year of other

significant achievements:
The opening of the City Football Academy in
December 2014 has brought all of our people
together on a single site in Manchester and
created a new hub for the global football
operations of the City Football Group. We are
not only proud of what we built, but of the
effect it is having on the way we work and on
its local community.
The rebranded Manchester City Womens
FC completed its first season and brought
home the Continental Cup in October 2014,
and we remain fully committed to further
development of the womens game.
Manchester Citys youth teams produced
another year of stellar results with our U10,
U13 and U14 sides all securing silverware
and our U15 team winning two international
tournaments. A significant number of young,
talented Manchester City players are coming
our way and we are hopeful of seeing some
of them in the first team in the years to come.
The Club completed the expansion of the
Etihad Stadium, increasing capacity for
home games to 55,000 in advance of the
2015-16 season.
A large number of Cityzens were able to
influence important decisions made by the
Club during 2014-15, including deciding the
funding of six youth football charities around
the world through the innovative Cityzens
Giving initiative.

The 2014-15 season has been the first one in

which all the clubs of our Group have been
playing. We have developed joint initiatives
with New York City FC, Melbourne City FC
and Yokohama f Marinos and we help each
other on a continuous basis. We remain
proud of the on-going development of our
sister clubs.
Manchester City is now a club focussed
squarely on the delivery of a range of exciting
initiatives that have been taking place across
the organisation under the guidance of the
Owner , Chairman and Board. The recent
developments are indicative of the progress
we have made but, more importantly, of the
potential that exists for Manchester City to
reach even greater heights in the future.
Ferran Soriano
Manchester City Football Club
Chief Executive

CHAPTER ONE:
BEAUTIFUL FOOTBALL

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Beautiful Football

OVERVIEW
Having held the Premier League title for two
of the previous three years, Manchester City
ended the 2014-15 season with a second place
Premier League finish, and qualified for the
knockout stages of the Champions League.
Despite a lack of trophies, Sergio Agero
secured the Golden Boot for the first time
having scored a remarkable 26 league goals,
and Joe Hart celebrated his fourth Golden
Glove win with 14 clean sheets. The team also
returned the best goal difference and injury
record in the Premier League.
It was the womens team who brought
cup success in their very first season as
Manchester City Womens Football Club, with
a Continental Cup win in October 2014. In preseason 2015, five new players including four
internationals and an England U23 player joined
the team, and the entire squad were made full
time, making City only the second WSL team
to do so.

The mens youth teams have continued to excel

with national titles for the U10s and U13s, a
national cup for the U14s, an international cup
for the U21s and first team debuts for ten youth
team players. The Academy is now home to 26
international players between U16 and U19, of
which 14 are England players.
The groundbreaking City Football Academy
was officially opened in December 2014; this
elite facility adjacent to the Etihad Stadium is
now home to all of our mens, womens and
youth teams on an 80 acre site featuring 16.5
pitches and a 7,000 capacity stadium
City Football Schools have gone from strength
to strength and are now operating in six
countries. In 2014-15 we introduced the City
Football Language programme and the first
ever Manchester City FC Americas Cup, held in
San Diego in May.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Beautiful Football

FIRST TEAM SQUAD

Manchester City finished the 2014-15 season
in second place in the Premier League and
without a domestic or international trophy.
Reflective of its attacking style, City scored
more goals than any other team in the Premier
League and were the top goal scorers both at
home and away.
Sergio Agero won his first ever golden boot
with 26 league goals, and Joe Hart his fourth
Golden Glove with14 clean sheets.
Agero also claimed the award of most
efficient striker in terms of minutes per goal
scored in the 2014-15 Premier League season,
along with the corresponding all-time record
for the Premier League era.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Beautiful Football

MANCHESTER CITY WOMENS FOOTBALL CLUB

The womens team ended their first season
in the Womens Super League (WSL) with
a Continental Cup win, bringing the trophy
home in October 2014 after a gripping final
against Arsenal.
City made the entire squad full time at the same
time as the move from Platt Lane to City Football
Academy; meaning that the Club are now
offering one of the most impressive womens
training environments in world football.

Toni Duggan was the first female player to

win Manchester Citys fan-voted goal of the
season with a wonder goal against Chelsea in
October 2014.
MCWFC can count another first for a WSL
team in having men and women training on
the same site and using the same facilities.
They are also one of the only teams to have
launched a new Nike kit using both mens and
womens players in the marketing campaign.

Three development players were given their first Three new commercial partners came on
professional contracts; of these, two have been board with MCWFC during this reporting
period; Nissan as a City Football Group
with MCWFC since they were nine years old.
partner, Vitality as an MCFC and MCWFC
partner and Manchester Metropolitan
The team is unique in having its own stadium
University (MMU) who partnered exclusively
and it is one which continued to attract fans
with the womens team.
in large numbers. In 2014 Manchester City
Womens Football team claimed the highest
In January 2015, the team visited Abu Dhabi
attendance figures of any WSL team during
for their pre-season training camp sponsored
the 2014 season.
by Aabar alongside the Melbourne City and
MCFC mens teams.
The current MCWFC squad includes five
of Englands World Cup squad for the FIFA
CityTV created the first ever MCWFC
Womens World Cup tournament in Canada,
where City player Lucy Bronze was shortlisted documentary, a 45 minute behind the scenes
film following the teams first ever season as
for player of the tournament. City captain
Manchester City Womens Football Club.
Steph Houghton also captained the bronze
winning team and in October 2014 became
the first woman to be featured on the cover of
Shoot magazine.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Beautiful Football

ELITE DEVELOPMENT SQUAD

The Elite Development Squad continued
to thrive under Patrick Vieiras leadership,
finishing the season as Under 21 Premier
League International Cup Winners after a
gripping final match against FC Porto.
In the UEFA U19 Youth League, the EDS were
the only unbeaten team in the group stage.
They made it to the quarter-finals where they
were knocked out by a strong Roma side in
March 2014.
A total of ten players were involved in first
team games in the Premier League, FA Cup,
Capital One Cup, friendly matches and the
UEFA Champions League. These players
were: Jose Pozo, Angelino, George Glendon,
Sinan Bytyqi, Thierry Ambrose, Brandon
Barker, Bersant Celina, Olivier Ntcham, Seko
Fofana and Manuel Garcia
Jason Denayer, Marcos Lopes and Seko Fofana
had very successful loans during the 2014-15
season to Celtic, Lille and Fulham respectively.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Beautiful Football

YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
The Academy celebrated one of its most
successful periods to date, with accolades
for every age group, most notably National
Championships for the U10 and U13s.
The U10s also won the National Futsal
Championship, and the U14s were crowned
winners of the inaugural Premier League
National Cup.
The U18s made the Youth Cup final for the
first time since 2008, only to be defeated by
reigning champions Chelsea in one of the
best attended games ever at the Academy
Stadium, with over 5,000 people.
The U15 teams won two European
tournaments, the MeCup in Barcelona and
Neon Cup in Greece, with players Jadon
Sancho and Phil Foden named as player of
the tournaments respectively.
There were a total of 26 international players
in the U16-U19 age groups, including 14
England players.
In October 2014 the entire Academy moved
from Platt Lane to the City Football Academy,
one of the most significant changes in its
history. Every age group now plays under one
roof, alongside the mens and womens first
teams. Importantly, 66% of the 169 players are
from Greater Manchester.
The St. Bedes education programme, in place
since September 2011, is designed to foster the
talents of elite players in a holistic way playing,
personal and academic. In total 70 players were
enrolled at St Bedes, and 27 players at the
Connell Sixth Form College. For the first time,
the St Bedes programme included players
both from MCFC and MCWFC.

The second cohort of players completed

their GCSEs and iGCSEs in August 2015. In
total, 20 players completed their secondary
education at the school with an overall GCSE
pass rate (A*-C) of 73%, 5% percentage
points above the national average.
City became the first Premier League
Club recognised as a Duke of Edinburgh
assessment centre, and offered participation
in the scheme as part of the curriculum for
players in the U14 and U15 age groups.
18 players completed the programme in
June 2015 and will be awarded the Duke
of Edinburgh Bronze Award. The skills
and attitudes fostered through the DofE
programme are likely to produce players
who become more rounded and confident
individuals, which, in turn, will support their
performance for the Club both on and off
the pitch.
As part of the Programme, players must
complete a combination of learning activities
and overnight camping and navigation
challenges. They also volunteer in the local
community through the City in the Community
Programme, and provide coaching sessions to
children from the local community at the City
Football Academy.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Beautiful Football

10

CITY FOOTBALL ACADEMY

After four years of construction, the City
Football Academy was officially opened in
December 2014.
The regenerated 80-acre City Football
Academy site was unveiled by the Clubs
most decorated captain, Tony Book. The
CFA stands adjacent to the Etihad Stadium
and is part of the wider 200-acre site known
as the Etihad Campus. The unveiling was
overseen by Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak
and the Right Honourable George Osborne,
Chancellor of the Exchequer, during his visit
to the city.
The CFA was the product of six years
of extensive research, development and
construction involving thousands of people.
Since its opening in December 2014, sister
clubs New York City FC and Melbourne City
FC, as well as international teams including the
Argentinian national squad, have trained at the
City Football Academy, reinforcing its status as
a world leading training facility.
The 7,000 capacity CFA stadium has played
host to 38 games since the facility opened,
and is the official home for MCWFC, the Elite
Development Squad and Academy teams.
Games are programmed in this stadium to
complement the first team schedule so fans
can enjoy two or even three games of football
in one day on the Etihad Campus.
In April 2015, the England national team
played China in a womens international game
that brought a crowd of 5,500 to the stadium.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Beautiful Football

11

CITY FOOTBALL SCHOOLS

City Football Schools has gone from strength
to strength since its formation.
The programme has seen an increase from
1,249 individual participants in 2014 to 7,714
in 2015, with children from more than 60
different countries participating in multiple
locations across the globe.
In 2015, two new sites were launched in Abu
Dhabi, one on the New York University Abu
Dhabi campus and the other at Hazza Bin
Zayed Stadium in Al Ain. City coaches in Abu
Dhabi are now delivering up to 900 sessions
per week at these two sites and the founding
site at Zayed Sport City; an increase of 20%
on last year.
Between May and July 2015, City Football
Schools in partnership with Etihad Airways,
delivered programmes in India, Toronto, New
York, Brisbane and Melbourne to more than
1,000 children.
New for 2015 is the City Football Language
educational initiative. The three-year
partnership will see the Club host two-week
football and English language courses in
summer 2015 delivered jointly by City Football
Schools and Experience English at the City
Football Academy.
In May, the first ever Manchester City FC
Americas Cup was played in San Diego,
supported by City Football Schools. The
tournament was part of a new five-year
partnership with Surf Soccer Club, with 4,500
players aged 10-17 participating, and over
25,000 visitors.

CHAPTER TWO:
FOOTBALL CITIZENSHIP

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Football Citizenship

13

OVERVIEW
Manchester City is at the centre of an active
and fast-growing community of football
supporters in the UK and around the world. It
is our fundamental belief that we are stronger
together; with our fans, partners, staff, players
and other members of the City family.
In July 2014 a new membership community,
Cityzens, was launched. Designed and
developed with ideas collected from City
fans, Cityzens enables fans to participate
more actively in the Clubs decisions and
access more value-for-money rewards. After
its first year it has over 50,000 members in
80 countries and continues to evolve, offering
more rewards and exclusive experiences than
ever before.
A new global giving programme, Cityzens
Giving, was launched in November, supporting
projects in Manchester, New York, Melbourne,
Kuala Lumpur, Baranquilla and Cape Town.
Each project is run by young people, for
young people, and uses football to tackle
social challenges in each region. Uniquely, the
programme empowered City fans to vote on the
allocation of funding towards these projects.
At the end of the 2014-15 season, CITC was
on the cusp of its 29th year and continues
to create opportunities for the most in-need
communities in Manchester. Now working
with almost 45,000 people and delivering
almost 15,000 hours of project activities in
Manchester, CITC uses football to boost crime
prevention, inclusion, physical and mental
health, employability and education.

The Club has continued to develop its work

around diversity and inclusion, deepening its
relationships and increasing its activities with a
number of organisations tackling discrimination.
By the time the City Football Academy (CFA)
opened in December 2014, the Club had
helped to create a total of 225 full time jobs
in Greater Manchester, building on a total of
6,500 over the course of construction of the
CFA, Connell College and East Manchester
Leisure Centre. 80% of the total value of the
project was spent in the North West, and 70%
of jobs were created for local people.
The Clubs responsible and communityfocused approach to infrastructure projects
has continued with the Stadium Expansion
project, completed in August 2015. The
project has taken capacity to 55,000, adding
three new rows of seats pitchside and 6,000
extra seats to the third tier of the South Stand.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Football Citizenship

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PARTICIPATION
CITYZENS

CITY VOICE

Citys new membership community,

Cityzens, launched in July 2014. Developed
in partnership with supporters, it is designed
to bring supporters closer to the Club and to
enable them to participate in Club decisions.

The online fan feedback community City Voice

grew significantly during the season, with
the number of participants reaching 6,000,
together contributing a total of 32,000 times.
Supporters had the opportunity to provide
feedback on 69 different projects, including
telling the Club what they think about new and
existing apps, what their favourite music is, and
how important health and fitness is to them.

During the 2014-15 season Cityzens were

able to vote on a number of initiatives, most
notably the names of the streets at the City
Football Academy and on how community
projects are funded through Cityzens Giving.
Cityzens were given access to money-cantbuy experiences, including 50 places on
the team plane to Abu Dhabi in January,
the opportunity to ask first team manager
Manuel Pellegrini questions in the Etihad
Stadium tunnel, and VIP trips to New York
and Melbourne.
Junior Cityzens was also launched, giving
young supporters access to players at
various events including the Junior Cityzens
press conference, a family photoshoot at
the Etihad and visits from Moonbeam and
Moonchester to birthday parties.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Football Citizenship

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TICKETS
A total of 27 home games were played in all
competitions at the Etihad Stadium in 2014-15.
Average attendance at the Etihad Stadium was a
slightly reduced 45,365, because of the stadium
expansion works, and Premier League games
maintained a 99% overall occupancy rate. The
Club sold out of its full allocation of more than
35,000 Seasoncards in five weeks and the
Waiting List surpassed 9,000.
Manchester City has maintained its commitment
to affordability by providing supporters with a
range of pricing options, including the cheapest
season ticket in the Barclays Premier League,
at 299. Seasoncard holders paid considerably
less for each home goal scored than fans of any
other Premier League team in 2014-15, at just
11.03 per goal, compared to 17.39 for the club
offering second-best value for money.
The average City supporter has been a fan for
21 years the third longest period for clubs in
the Premier League. In the UK support is strong
both in Manchester and nationwide, with over
half of all MCFC fans attending home games
living within 10 miles of the Etihad Stadium, and
10,000+ UK fans travelling more than 100 miles
to attend a home game.

The Away Fan Initiative continued in the 201415 season, with the Club offering travelling
fans half price tickets to Arsenal and Chelsea
and free coach travel to Crystal Palace, in
acknowledgement of their commitment to the
team and the distances travelled to support it.
The Clubs hospitality offering was awarded
first position in the Premier League VisitFootball
2014-15 survey. New hospitality concepts were
introduced, including the City in the City offsite
package and six new events for supporters
based outside of Manchester.
Following growing demand from international
markets, the SkyBlue programme which was
focused in the UAE in previous years was
opened up this year to fans all around the world.
By May 2015, its membership had reached
more than 150,000 people.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Football Citizenship

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STADIUM EXPANSION
Construction began in early 2014 for the
addition of 6,000 seats to the South Stand of
the Etihad Stadium, and on three new rows of
pitchside seats for completion in time for the
start of the 2015-16 season.
The Club have also further developed their
provision for supporters with disabilities, with
a new total of 252 wheelchair positions as a
result of the expansion works, consistent with
the Accessible Stadia guidelines.
In order to improve the 2015-16 relocation
process, City launched new 3D virtual view
from seat technology to show supporters
exactly what their pitch view would be as they
selected their seat in the newly expanded
Etihad Stadium.
More than 9,000 supporters made a 100
down payment to join the Seasoncard Waiting
List for seats in the expanded stadium.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Football Citizenship

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RESPONSIBLE CORPORATE CITIZENS

CITY IN THE COMMUNITY
At the end of the 2014-15 season, CITC was
on the cusp of its 29th year, using the power
of football to tackle pressing social issues
in Manchester around the five core themes
of crime prevention, inclusion, physical and
mental health, employability and education.
During the 2014-15 season, City in the
Communitys work delivered almost 15,000
hours of project activities in Manchester,
leading to more than 200,000 face-to-face
contacts across all activities. CITC raised a
total of 1.3 million, including private funding,
sponsorships and donations from supporters
level with the previous year.
Marking the first British royal visit to the
Etihad Campus since The Queen at the
2002 Commonwealth Games, HRH Princess
Anne paid a visit to City in the Community
in September 2014. The Princess Royal
spent time meeting participants and seeing
first-hand how the Club is empowering lives
through football across Manchester.
In April 2015 a Community Wall at the City
Football Academy was revealed with a street
party celebration for local children. The 64
metre long wall is on the south side of the
Academy Stadium and is decorated with a
mural inspired by drawings by young City fans
showing the football effect.

At the centre of the mural is the City Football

Academy, which represents Citys ambition
to be an engine and a catalyst for this football
effect. Other scenes show football being
played around the world in places where
City has clubs and community projects with
night leagues, disabled football, girls football,
roof top football, street football and more,
showing how football can uplift and empower
urban youth. The final creation was delivered
by Outhouse, a group of artists based in
Manchesters Northern Quarter.
The Clubs community activities are
recognised by its fans. According to the
Premier League Match Attender Survey,
95% of MCFC fans believe the Club makes a
significant contribution to the local community,
23 percentage points higher than the Premier
League average; and 81% of MCFC fans
thought the Club makes a greater contribution
in its community than five years ago.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Football Citizenship

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CITYZENS GIVING
In November 2014, the Club launched
Cityzens Giving, a brand new programme
where fans were able to influence the funding
of projects in six countries using the football
effect to tackle serious social problems in
each region.
City donated 400,000 over the course of the
2014-15 season to support projects run by
young people for young people in New York,
Melbourne, Manchester, Barranquilla, Cape
Town and Kuala Lumpur.
The young leaders overseeing these
projects are all brought together annually
for a Young Leaders Summit at the City
Football Academy, where they take part in a
variety of workshops to enhance leadership,
management and coaching abilities.

CSR
Manchester City further cemented its
reputation as a responsible corporate
citizen during the 2014-15 season as the
construction of the City Football Academy
was completed.
The Clubs responsible and community
focused approach to infrastructure projects
continued with the Stadium Expansion
project, completed in August 2015.
Manchester City has continued to host
quarterly meetings with local residents and
businesses to discuss plans, hear concerns,
identify shared opportunities and help resolve
local issues throughout 2014-15.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Football Citizenship

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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Manchester City remains committed to tackling
discrimination in any form and engages in
activities year round to ensure the Etihad
Stadium remains a safe and welcoming place
for all visitors.
The Club has continued to support high profile
campaigns to tackle discrimination, including
Kick It Out, Show Racism the Red Card and
Football v Homophobia (FVH).
In August 2014, Manchester City supported
LGBT Supporters Club Canal Street Blues
and the Gay Football Supporters Network
(GFSN) by sponsoring their activities at
Manchester Pride. The Club also raised the
rainbow flag outside the Etihad Stadium for
the first time ever, coinciding with MCFCs first
home game in the 2014-15 season.
City worked with the anti-discrimination
organisation Kick It Out (KIO) on a number of
new initiatives, including a One Community
tournament, bringing North West teams
together to discuss and celebrate diversity, and
Toni Duggans Next 20 Ambassadorial role.
In October 2014, the Club supported the Fare
networks Football People fortnight of action,
designed to challenge discrimination and
celebrate diversity in football. Midfielder Yaya
Toure pledged his support to the campaign,
and City organised a number of activities
including video features with female employees
and a visit by Frank Lampard to a CITC
powerchair football session for young players
with disabilities.

For International Womens Day the Club

continued its support of Manchester City
Councils IWD awards, held an internal event
to encourage and inspire female staff, and
committed support to the Inspiring Women
in Sport campaign with a speed mentoring
session for local girls interested in pursuing
careers in sport. City Football Academy also
played host to a football tournament for more
than 300 young girls from 29 local secondary
schools.
The Club came third for accessibility in the
Premier Leagues Visit Football 2014-15 and
continued as members of Level Playing Field,
the charity for disabled sports fans, and the
Two Ticks positive about disability scheme.
Following the Etihad expansion, the stadium
is also compliant with Accessible Stadia
guidelines.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Football Citizenship

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A WINNING TEAM
Manchester City Football Club welcomed
85 new members of staff during the 2014-15
season, and provided 115 days of formal training
ranging from management development to time
management and IT skills.

Female members of staff were involved in

a number of external events including ProManchesters pro-women breakfast meeting
and Club partner Hays Women in Business
event.

The opening of the City Football Academy in

December 2014 brought all staff, previously
based at three different locations across
the city, on to a single site for the first time.
The majority of Manchester City staff who
had previously been based at City@Home,
adjacent to the Etihad Stadium, were
re-located to City HQ, the headquarters of
City Football Group at the CFA.

For the first time City held a Meetings Week

during which more than 80 managers from
the global City Football Group held meetings
to discuss organisational, operational and
development topics. Manchester City FC staff
also had the benefit of exchanging knowledge
and experiences with their counterparts at the
sister clubs across the City Football Group.

A new online training platform was made

available to Manchester City staff, inviting
them to take part in the City Football
Education programme, an online module
designed to bring the Clubs football
philosophy to life.
More than 50 managers and team leaders
took part in half-day interactive workshops
to encourage creativity and communication,
entitled Get Off The Bench.

New City Football Academy open days for

family and friends of staff provided behind the
scenes access to the whole site and guided
tours of first team and academy facilities.

CHAPTER THREE:
A TRUE GLOBAL APPROACH

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | A True Global Approach

22

OVERVIEW
Manchester City is committed to bringing
unforgettable experiences to its supporters
through the provision of world-class facilities,
quality customer service, original live
entertainment and innovative digital content.
This reporting period marks a milestone year
in recent City history with the Club returning a
bottom-line profit of 10.7 million; a first profit
after several years of losses.
Key drivers of increased revenue in 2014-15
included the retention and recruitment of a
variety of regional and global commercial
partners in addition to increased broadcast
revenue; commercial revenues are now 11 times
higher than they were in the 2008-09 season.
The Club was rated by Brand Finance as the
fourth most valuable football brand globally,
and the second most valuable in the Premier
League. Encouragingly, according to a
Premier League survey, 98% of Manchester
City match attenders agree that the Club is
heading in the right direction and 97% agree
that the Club performs well in terms of having
a long term vision.

Deloittes Football Money League listed

Manchester City as the 6th biggest European
club in 2015 with the highest annual growth in
revenues of the top 10 clubs.
The Club has also continued to expand its
access to supporters and partners around
the world. The establishment of City Football
Group offices and commercial teams in Abu
Dhabi, Melbourne, Japan and New York has
helped to facilitate an increase in the number
of global commercial relationships for its
individual clubs in the last year.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | A True Global Approach

23

COMMERCIAL GROWTH
This year the Club produced a record 351.8
million in revenue, breaking the 350 million
threshold for the first time in its history. After
steadily reducing losses over the last three
reporting periods, this year the Club has
announced a bottom line profit of 10.7 million.
Overall revenue growth has been as a result
of increases in commercial revenues, which
rose by 4% year-on-year and are now 11
times higher than in the 2008-09 season, and
broadcast revenues which have increased
by 2%. Growth in these income streams
more than offset a 9% decrease in matchday
revenues largely resulting from the stadium
expansion works.

Wage costs have continued to be controlled

and the Clubs wage/turnover ratio now stands
at 55%. Consistent with the commitment
made in 2009-10 that transfers of the scale
seen in previous years would be unlikely to be
repeated, the Club is continuing to benefit from
greater stability in its first team squad.

The organisation has also made important

progress on two key infrastructure projects
during 2014-15. The opening of the
City Football Academy in late 2014 has
transformed the Clubs recruitment, training
and development capabilities, while the
expansion of the Etihad Stadium to a capacity
of 55,000 (completed on schedule in August
2015) will enable more spectators to attend
Manchester City home games from the 2015The Club hosted a total of 27 home games in
all competitions in the 2014-15 season, with an 16 season onwards.
average attendance at the Etihad Stadium at a
reduced 45,365 for Barclays Premier League
games, reflecting the temporary reduction in
stadium capacity.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | A True Global Approach

24

PARTNERS OF CHOICE
Commercial income rose by 4%, with an
additional 22 partnerships. Of the 22 new
partnerships, 12 were regional; an increase of
120% on the 2013-14 season. All of the global
partnerships, and a number of regional deals,
were multi-year, most significantly:
Nissan Official Automotive Partner
SAP Official Cloud Software Partner
Muscle Pharm Official Sports Nutrition
Partner
Coco Joy Official Coconut Water Partner
Citi Official Banking Partner, UAE
PZ Cussons Official Personal Care Partner,
Nigeria

ETIHAD BRANDED CONTENT

#GLOBALCITYFANS
City and Etihad Airways worked together
to create Global City, a football-inspired,
digitally-led video series discovering Citys
most passionate and loyal fans from around
the world.
2003 Rugby World Cup winner and lifelong
City fan, Will Greenwood travelled on Etihad
Airways around the world to reveal the power
of football through the eyes of Manchester
City supporters. The five-part video series
visited Manchester City, Abu Dhabi, Jakarta,
Melbourne and New York.

Greenwood met super fans in each city,

uncovering entertaining and inspiring stories
about their support for Manchester City.
The content is available across Manchester
City and Etihads digital and social media
channels and, with over 4.2 million views and
over 1.1 million engagements to date, Global
City has been one of Etihads most exciting
partnership projects.

ABU DHABI TOURISM INTO THE BLUE

TCA Abu Dhabi invited fans to step into the
blue and discover more about Manchester
Citys home away from home, offering
interesting information on local attractions and
access to exclusive prizes.
A microsite was created which included
interesting facts about Abu Dhabi, content
featuring City stars on location and a fan
mosaic where fans could submit their City
photo. The fan photo with the most votes would
travel to Manchester to see City in action, and a
luxury trip to Abu Dhabi.
TCA created a fully integrated campaign to
support the promotion of the Into the Blue
competition. This cohesive approach delivered
genuine campaign awareness with many digital
results peaking above industry standards.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | A True Global Approach

25

KFC SEVEN SHOOT

NISSAN FIVE-A-SIDE TOURNAMENT

Now in its sixth consecutive year, KFC Seven

Shoot aims to encourage more children in
Thailand to participate in football. This year the
tournament saw over 3,000 Thai youth teams,
comprising 40,000 12-15 year olds, compete
in a seven-a-side tournament to be crowned
national champions.

Nissan harnessed their City Football Group

partnership to deliver a unique experience to
their employees by hosting an internal five-aside tournament that would give participants
a taste of the world-class facilities at the City
Football Academy.

The tournament winners received a KFC

Seven Shoot 2014 Grand Trophy and
an accompanying grant, and were flown
to Manchester for a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity to take part in a series of skills
workshops led by City Football School
coaches. Players were put through their paces
in tailor-made training sessions based on
Citys football philosophy at the CFA.

The qualifying teams travelled to Manchester

from 14 different countries across Europe
where they competed against their colleagues
at the elite football complex and received the
full Manchester City VIP treatment with a tour
of the Etihad stadium and a special visit from
first team stars Edin Dzeko, David Silva and
Yaya Toure.
Both finalists travelled to Berlin to play for the
Nissan title in the Champions Village Festival
and watch the UEFA Champions League Final.
As well as rewarding the participants with
this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Nissan
were able to effectively use their partnerships
with the City Football Group and UEFA
Champions League together to create an ongoing activation involving different offices and
markets from across the region.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | A True Global Approach

26

GLOBAL OUTREACH
Manchester City undertook their third
post-season tour in May 2015, this time to
Toronto, Houston and New York. Pre-season
preparation also took place in Scotland
and the US in July 2014 and the team
participated in the International Champions
Cup, playing matches in Pittsburgh, New
York and Minneapolis.
Overseas visitors continued to account for
almost half of all visits to the main mcfc.co.uk
website. The US was the biggest source
of overseas visitors, with almost 2 million
visits. 1.35 million television viewers in the
US watched the Chelsea-Manchester City
Premier League game in January 2015, the
second most-watched live Premier League
match of the season.

Over the course of the season, more

than 80,000 MCFC fans from 99 different
countries attended a home match at the
Etihad Stadium.
The Club continued to seek out the newest
digital and social platforms for supporters
around the world. In October 2014 the Club
established a presence for the first time on
Russian social media channel VK, attracting
over 100,000 followers before the end of the
2014-15 season.
Online content continues to be available
in thirteen languages, through eleven
international Twitter accounts and four
Chinese social media accounts.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | A True Global Approach

27

INNOVATIVE CONTENT
The Clubs digital and content offerings
continue to grow and evolve competitively both
inside and outside football, with social media
platforms playing an ever more important role
in encouraging fan engagement.
By May 2015 the MCFC Facebook page
had 19 million Likes, of which 6 million
were generated during the 2014-15 season,
making the Club the fastest growing top five
Premier League club on Facebook.
The @mcfc Twitter account also saw an
750,000 increase, bringing the total follower
count to 2.5 million.
The Club were early adopters of the
Periscope app, giving supporters an
up close and live view of team sheet
announcements on match days and behindthe-scenes player interviews.
Citys YouTube channel is now the third most
watched of any football club in the world,
with 43.6m views in the 2014-15 season, an
increase of 17% from the previous year.
City TV introduced a number of new concepts
during the 2014-15 season, including the
hugely successful My 11, Challenge Series
part 1 part 2 part 3 and CityTV Live.
Fans were given more unique behindthe-scenes access than ever before in a
45-minute documentary on the Manchester
City Womens FC WSL debut season, which
culminated in a Continental Cup win.

In October the CityMatchday app was

launched in advance of the Manchester
derby, making City the first European club
to offer free live video content on a second
screen app. The CityTV Live video channel
offers exclusive behind-the-scenes content
including pre-match player interviews, live
footage from the players tunnel, post-match
press conferences and match commentary.
In addition, those at the Etihad Stadium can
watch multi-camera angle replays of match
incidents, and Tactical Cam, which gives
fans a view of the match from high above
the pitch. The app also includes interactive
games including guess the starting 11 and
predict the score, and is rated 4.5 out of 5
on the Google Play Store.
Manchester City was the first football club
in the world to launch a matchday app for
wearable Android devices in February 2015.
It notifies users of key matchday moments
such as team sheet announcements, goal
alerts, penalties and red cards.
The Clubs drive for innovation has extended
into areas beyond digital content and apps.
In April 2015, the Cityzens team unveiled
its newest recruit, Citybot, a mobile robot
controlled by an app that young fans can use
to communicate with the Club, helping to
bring Junior Cityzens from all over the globe
closer to the Club and its players.
Together with EA, MCFC launched the
most successful MCFC FIFA video ever; a
tournament between Agero, Nasri, Toure and
Boyata that was viewed over 1.3 million times.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | A True Global Approach

28

UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
15

#CITYLIVE

The second ever City Live launch party to

mark the beginning of the season was held at
Manchester Central. 4,500 fans enjoyed an
introduction to the first team, interviews with
players from Manchester City Womens FC,
music from Johnny Marr and comedy from
Jason Manford, who presented a season review.
In the annual Premier League match attender
survey, Manchester City was ranked in the
top three for 12 of the 20 statements relating
to the live matchday experience. It was the
highest-ranking Premier League club for eight
statements, including facilities for children and
how welcome fans are made to feel when
they arrive at the ground. In addition, 94%
of female fans agreed that City provided a
safe and welcoming match day environment
for female spectators, and 98% of match
attenders agree that Manchester City performs
well in its investment in facilities.
In the annual Premier League VisitFootball
survey, the overall ratings increased for the
fifth consecutive season, putting City in third
place. The Club were awarded first position
for hospitality, and third for both home visitors
and accessibility. Visiting supporters rated City
as fourth of 20 Premier League clubs.

The in-stadium experience was enhanced with

two new jumbo screens and a second tier
digital ribbon used for fan messages and flags,
as well as partner messages. Usage of the
stadium Wi-Fi reached a new high in 2014-15,
with 44% of match attenders taking advantage
of it to keep up to date with other games,
get in-match stats, and discuss the game on
social media. This represents a significant leap
on the 11% of City fans who used the stadium
Wi-Fi last season, and is also well ahead of the
Premier League average of 10%.
For the match against Everton, supporters
were asked to submit Instagram photos using
#wearecity. These pictures were collated
and featured in the players tunnel; another
example of the Club bringing fans closer to the
stadium experience.
City Square is the most popular pre-match
activity for City fans, with 41% of match
attenders visiting City Square before entering
the stadium. For the UEFA Champions
League match against Barcelona, a mini City
Square was set up at Piccadilly train station
with feature music from a live DJ, football
freestylers and interactive games.

CHAPTER FOUR:
FINANCIAL REPORT

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Directors and Advisors

30

DIRECTORS AND ADVISORS

DIRECTORS

The Board of Directors comprises:

K Al Mubarak (Chairman)
J MacBeath
M Edelman
S Pearce
M Al Mazrouei
A Galassi

KHALDOON AL MUBARAK
(CHAIRMAN)

COMPANY SECRETARY
S Cliff

REGISTERED OFFICE
City Football HQ, 400 Ashton New Road,
Manchester M11 4TQ

BANKERS
Barclays Bank PLC, 51 Mosley Street,
Manchester M60 2AU

AUDITORS
BDO LLP, 3 Hardman Street,
Manchester M3 3AT

SOLICITORS
Shearman & Sterling LLP, Broadgate West,
9 Appold Street, London EC2A 2AP

Khaldoon Al Mubarak was appointed to the

Board on 23 September 2008. He is Chairman
of the Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority,
which provides strategic policy advice to the
Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council,
of which he is also a member. He is Chairman
of the Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation,
the Abu Dhabi Media Zone Authority and
Emirates Aluminium (EMAL). He is also
Deputy Chairman of the Urban Planning
Council and a board member of First Gulf
Bank and Ferrari SpA.

MARTIN EDELMAN
(NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)
Martin Edelman was appointed to the Board
on 23 September 2008. He was a Director
of Cendant Corporation from 1997-2006 and
was a Director of HFS from November 1993
until September 1997. He has been Of Counsel
to Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP,
a New York City law firm, since June 2000
and currently serves as a Director of the Avis
Budget Group. He is also a Director of Aldar
Properties, Ashford Hospitality Trust
and Capital Trust.

SIMON PEARCE
(NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)

JOHN MACBEATH
(NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)

Simon Pearce was appointed to the Board

on 23 September 2008. He is a Special
Advisor to the Chairman of the Executive
Affairs Authority of Abu Dhabi. He is also
a Director of twofour 54, an initiative to
accelerate the development of the media
sector in the UAE and MENA region, and
ADMM, the owners and operators of Yas
Marina Circuit.

John MacBeath is a Chartered Accountant with

extensive international business experience
in the oil & gas and aerospace industrial
sectors. He joined the Board in January 2010
and was appointed Interim Chief Executive
Officer between September 2011 and
September 2012.

MOHAMED AL MAZROUEI
(NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)
Mohamed Al Mazrouei joined Abu Dhabi
Media Company as Chairman of the Board in
July 2010. Mr Al Mazrouei is Under Secretary
to the Abu Dhabi Crown Princes Court, a role
he assumed in April 2008. He also serves as
a non-Executive Director for Etihad Airways.

ALBERTO GALASSI
(NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR)
Alberto Galassi was appointed to the Board
on 24 June 2012. He is currently CEO of
Piaggio Aero Industries and previously served
on the Executive Committee of Piaggio Aero
as Board Member responsible for Marketing
and Sales. He is attorney at law specialising
in International commerce and arbitration and
has been a member of the Bar since 1996.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Strategic Report

31

STRATEGIC REPORT
The Directors present their annual report on
the affairs of the Group, together with the
financial statements and auditors report,
for the year ended 31 May 2015.

Key drivers of increased revenue in 2014-15

included the retention and recruitment of a
variety of regional and global commercial
partners.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The decline in match day revenue can be

largely attributed to a short Capital One Cup
campaign and temporarily reduced seating
capacity due to the Stadium expansion works.
The Club hosted 19 home matches in the
2014-15 Barclays Premier League and a total
of 28 home games in all competitions with
average attendance at the Etihad Stadium
at a reduced 45,365 during 2014-15.

The principal activity is the operation of a

professional football club.

BUSINESS REVIEW AND

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Manchester City maintained its positive
trajectory in 2014-15 by increasing revenues
for the seventh consecutive year and delivering
a bottom line profit for the first time since the
acquisition of the Club by the Abu Dhabi United
Group for Development and Investment in 2008.

Wage costs have continued to be controlled

and the Clubs wage/turnover ratio now
stands at a healthy 55%. Consistent with the
commitment made in 2009-10 that transfers
of the scale seen in previous years would
be unlikely to be repeated, the Club has
continued to benefit from greater stability
in its first team squad resulting in reduced
amortisation costs.

The Club has reported a bottom line profit of

10.7m for 2014-15 while achieving a further
increase in operating profit before player trading
compared to 2013-14. The operating profit
The Club has also made important progress
of 2.0m before profit on disposal of players
on two key infrastructure projects during
demonstrates the underlying ability of the Club
2014-15. The opening of the City Football
to generate revenues in excess of its outgoings.
Academy in late 2014 has transformed the
Clubs recruitment, training and development
Manchester City generated 351.8m in
capabilities while the expansion of the Etihad
revenue in 2014-15, breaking the 350m
Stadium to a capacity of 55,000 will enable
threshold for the first time in its history.
more spectators to attend ManchesterCity
The Club has experienced overall revenue
home games from the 2015-16 seasononwards.
growth with commercial revenue up by 4%
to 173.0m and broadcast revenue up by
Importantly, Manchester Citys financial
2% to 135.4m, despite match day revenue
position remains strong. The Club has net
decreasing by 9% to 43.3m.
assets valued at more than 676m and
continues to operate with zero financial debt.

We now enter the 2015-16 season as a

profitable business with no outstanding
sanctions or restrictions.

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

The Board acknowledges that there are a
number of risks and uncertainties which
could have a material impact on the Groups
performance. The Groups income is affected
by the performance of the first team because
significant revenues are dependent upon strong
team performances in the Premier League,
domestic and European Cup competitions. The
Club is regulated by the rules of the FA, Premier
League, UEFA and FIFA and any change to
these regulations could have an impact as the
regulations cover areas such as: the distribution
of broadcasting income, the eligibility of players
and the operation of the transfer market. The
Club monitors its compliance with all applicable
rules and regulations on a continuous basis and
considers the impact of any potential changes.
By order of the Board
J MacBeath
Director
28 August 2015

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Directors Report

32

DIRECTORS REPORT
DIRECTORS

RESULT FOR THE YEAR

EMPLOYEE INVOLVEMENT

The Directors who held office during the

year were as follows:

The profit for the financial year was

10,749,000 (2014 loss: 22,929,000).
The Directors do not propose a dividend
(2014: nil).

Within the bounds of commercial confidentiality,

staff at all levels are kept fully informedof
matters that affect the progress of theCompany
and are of interest to them as employees.

K Al Mubarak (Chairman)
J MacBeath
M Edelman
S Pearce
M Al Mazrouei
A Galassi

POLITICAL AND CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS DISABLED EMPLOYEES

The Group made no political contributions.
Donations to UK charities amountedto
2,041,724 (2014: 2,228,313). Thisamount
includes 1.9m supportingPremierLeague
youth and communitydevelopmentexpenditure.

Disabled employees are given full and fair

consideration for all types of vacancy. If an
existing employee becomes disabled, such
steps as are practical and reasonable are
taken to retain him/her in employment. Where
appropriate, assistance with rehabilitation and
suitable training are given. Disabled persons
have equal opportunities for training, career
development and promotion, except insofar
as such opportunities are constrained by the
practical limitations of their disability.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Statement Of Directors Responsibilities

33

STATEMENT OF DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITIES

DIRECTORS RESPONSIBILITIES
The Directors are responsible for preparing the
Directors report and the financial statements
in accordance with applicable law and
regulations.

In preparing these financial statements,

the Directors are required to:

WEBSITE PUBLICATION

Financial statements are published on the

Companys website in accordance with
legislation in the United Kingdom governing
the preparation and dissemination of financial
make judgments and accountingestimates
statements, which may vary from legislation

that are reasonable and prudent;
Company law requires the Directors to
in other jurisdictions. The maintenance and
prepare financial statements for each financial
integrity of the Companys website is the
state whether applicable UK Accounting
responsibility of the Directors. The Directors
year. Under that law the Directors haveelected
Standards have been followed, subject
responsibility also extends to the ongoing
to prepare the Group and Company financial
to any material departures disclosed and
integrity of the financial statements
statements in accordance with UnitedKingdom
explained in the financial statements;
contained therein.
Generally Accepted Accounting Practice
(United Kingdom Accounting Standards
prepare the financial statements on
and applicable law). Under company law

the going concern basis unless it is
the Directors must not approve the financial

inappropriate to presume that the
statements unless they are satisfied that they
company will continue in business.
All of the current Directors have taken all the
give a true and fair view of the state of affairs
steps that they ought to have taken to make
of the Group and Company and of the profit
The Directors are responsible for keeping
themselves aware of any information needed
or loss of the Group for that period.
adequate accounting records that are
by the Companys auditors for the purposes
sufficient to show and explain the Companys
of their audit and to establish that the auditors
transactions and disclose with reasonable
are aware of that information. The Directors
accuracy at any time the financial position
are not aware of any relevant audit information
of the Company and enable them to ensure
of which the auditors are unaware.
that the financial statements comply with
the Companies Act 2006. They are also
By order of the Board
responsible for safeguarding the assets of
the Company and hence for taking reasonable J MacBeath
steps for the prevention and detection of fraud
Director
and other irregularities.
28 August 2015
select suitable accounting policies
and then apply them consistently;

AUDITORS

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Independent Auditors Report to the Members of Manchester City Limited

34

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MANCHESTER CITY LIMITED

We have audited the financial statements of
Manchester City Limited for the year ended
31 May 2015 which comprise the consolidated
profit and loss account, consolidated statement
of total recognised gains and losses,
consolidated note of historical cost profits
and losses, the consolidated and company
balance sheets, the consolidated cash flow
statement and the related notes. The financial
reporting framework that has been applied
in their preparation is applicable law and
United Kingdom Accounting Standards
(United Kingdom Generally Accepted
Accounting Practice).
This report is made solely to the Companys
members, as a body, in accordance with
Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act
2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so
that we might state to the Companys members
those matters we are required to state to them
in an auditors report and for no other purpose.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do
not acceptorassume responsibility to anyone
other thantheCompany and the Companys
members as a body, for our audit work, for this
report, or for the opinions we have formed.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES
OF DIRECTORS AND AUDITORS
As explained more fully in the statement of
Directors responsibilities, the Directors are
responsible for the preparation of the financial
statements and for being satisfied that they
give a true and fair view. Our responsibility is to
audit and express an opinion on the financial
statements in accordance with applicable law
and International Standards on Auditing (UK
and Ireland). Those standards require us to
comply with the Financial Reporting Councils
(FRCs) Ethical Standards for Auditors.

SCOPE OF THE AUDIT OF

THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
A description of the scope of an audit of
financial statements is provided on the
Financial Reporting Councils website at
www.frc.org.uk/auditscopeukprivate.

OPINION ON FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

In our opinion the financial statements:

give a true and fair view of the state of the

Groups and the parent Companys affairs
as at 31 May 2015 and of the Groups
profit for the year then ended;

have been properly prepared in

accordance with United Kingdom
Generally Accepted Accounting
Practice; and

MATTERS ON WHICH WE ARE

REQUIRED TO REPORT BY EXCEPTION
We have nothing to report in respect of the
following matters where the Companies Act
2006 requires us to report to you if, in our
opinion:

adequate accounting records have not

been kept by the parent company, or
returns adequate for our audit have not
been received from branches not visited
by us; or

have been prepared in accordance with

the requirements of the Companies Act
2006.

the parent company financial statements

are not in agreement with the accounting

records and returns; or

OPINION ON OTHER MATTERS PRESCRIBED

BY THE COMPANIES ACT 2006

certain disclosures of Directors

remuneration specified by law are not

made; or

In our opinion the information given in the

Directors report for the financial year for
which the financial statements are prepared
is consistent with the financial statements.

we have not received all the information

and explanations we require for our audit.
Julien Rye (senior statutory auditor)
For and on behalf of BDO LLP,
statutory auditor
Manchester
1 September 2015
BDO LLP is a limited liability partnership
registered in England and Wales (with
registered number OC305127).

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Consolidated Profit and Loss Account

35

CONSOLIDATED PROFIT AND LOSS ACCOUNT

For the year ended 31 May 2015

Note

Operations
excluding
player trading
Year ended
31 May
2015
000

Player
trading
Year ended
31 May
2015
000

Total
Year ended
31 May
2015
000

Total
Year ended
31 May
2014
000

Turnover

351,766

351,766

346,512

Other operating income

800

800

1,775

Operating expenses

(280,322)

(70,291)

(350,613)

(366,160)

72,244

(70,291)

1,953

(17,873)

13,832

13,832

197

72,244

(56,459)

15,785

(17,676)

Operating profit/(loss)
Profit on disposal of players

Profit/(loss) before interest and taxation

Interest receivable and similar income

30

30

52

Interest payable and similar charges

(1,279)

(1,279)

(960)

Stadium finance lease charges

(4,167)

(4,167)

(4,345)

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation

66,828

(56,459)

10,369

(22,929)

380

380

67,208

(56,459)

10,749

(22,929)

Taxation

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation

19

The results for both periods are from continuing operations.

The notes form part of the consolidated financial statements.

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Consolidated Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses

36

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF TOTAL RECOGNISED GAINS AND LOSSES

For the year ended 31 May 2015
Note

Profit/(loss) for the financial year

Unrealised surplus on revaluation of properties
Total recognised profit/(loss) for the year

The notes form part of the consolidated financial statements.

19

Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

10,749

(22,929)

8,869

19,618

(22,929)

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Consolidated Note of Historical Cost Profits and Losses

37

CONSOLIDATED NOTE OF HISTORICAL COST PROFITS AND LOSSES

For the year ended 31 May 2015

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities after taxation

Difference between historical cost depreciation
charge and the actual depreciation charge for the
year calculated on the revalued amount
Historical cost profit/(loss) on ordinary activities
before and after taxation

The notes form part of the consolidated financial statements.

Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

10,749

(22,929)

1,120

1,120

11,869

(21,809)

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Balance Sheets

38

BALANCE SHEETS
As at 31 May 2015
Registered number: 2989498
Group
Note

Company

2015
000

2014
000

2015
000

2014
000

Fixed assets
Intangible assets

10

194,155

207,264

Tangible assets

11

406,698

346,310

Investments

12

676,251

572,333

600,853

553,574

676,251

572,333

Current assets
Debtors - amounts falling due within one year

13

174,422

176,956

Debtors - amounts falling due after more than

one year

13

25,773

22,873

74,752

21,401

274,947

221,230

Cash at bank and in hand

Creditors due within one year

14

(97,959)

(116,984)

Deferred income due within one year

17

(25,172)

(14,504)

Net current assets

151,816

89,742

Total assets less current liabilities

752,669

643,316

676,251

572,333

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Balance Sheets

39

BALANCE SHEETS CONTINUED

As at 31 May 2015
Registered number: 2989498
Creditors due after more than one year

15

(75,390)

(69,910)

Deferred income due after more than one year

17

(1,028)

(1,073)

676,251

572,333

676,251

572,333

Net assets

Capital and reserves

Called up share capital

18

65,115

61,139

65,115

61,139

Share premium account

19

1,232,393

1,152,069

1,232,393

1,152,069

Revaluation reserve

19

53,555

44,686

Profit and loss account

19

(674,812)

(685,561)

(621,257)

(640,875)

Shareholders funds

21

676,251

572,333

676,251

572,333

The notes form part of the consolidated financial statements.

These financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 28 August 2015 and were signed on its behalf by: J MacBeath, Director

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Group Cash Flow Statement

40

GROUP CASH FLOW STATEMENT

For the year ended 31 May 2015
Note

Net cash inflow from operating activities

24

Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

102,892

27,427

(652)

(162)

(4,437)

(4,554)

30

52

(5,059)

(4,664)

(84,878)

(116,105)

18,735

34,584

(62,324)

(93,587)

(128,467)

(175,108)

(30,634)

(152,345)

84,300

160,000

(315)

(299)

83,985

159,701

53,351

7,356

Return on investments and servicing of finance

Interest paid
Interest element of finance lease payments
Interest received
Net cash outflow from return on investments
and servicing of finance
Capital expenditure
Purchase of intangible fixed assets
Sale of intangible fixed assets
Purchase of tangible fixed assets
Net cash outflow from capital expenditure
Net cash outflow before financing
Financing
Issue of shares
Loan capital repaid
Capital element of finance lease rental payments
Net cash inflow from financing
Movement in cash in the year

The notes form part of the consolidated financial statements.

26

41

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1 - Accounting policies
The following accounting policies have
been applied consistently in dealing with
items which are considered material in
relation to the Groups financial statements.

BASIS OF PREPARATION
The financial statements have been prepared
in accordance with applicable accounting
standards and under the historical cost
convention as modified by the revaluation
of certain tangible fixed assets and are in
accordance with applicable accounting
standards.
The Group is reliant on its ultimate parent
undertaking, Abu Dhabi United Group
Investment & Development, for its continued
financial support. It has received written
confirmation from its ultimate parent
undertaking that sufficient funds will be
provided to finance the business for at least
12 months from the date of approval of the
financial statements. Based on discussions
with the ultimate owner and formal
confirmation of support, the Directors
continue to adopt the going concern
basis in preparing the financial statements.

BASIS OF CONSOLIDATION

TURNOVER

FIXED ASSETS AND DEPRECIATION

The consolidated financial statements include

the financial statements of the Manchester
City Limited (the Group) and its subsidiary
undertakings up to 31 May 2015. The
acquisition method of accounting has
been adopted.

Turnover represents amounts receivable by

the Group, excluding Value Added Tax and
transfer fees, in respect of TV income, gate
receipts, commercial activities relating to the
Club and donations. Advanced season ticket
sales are included within deferred income and
released to turnover in the relevant season.

Depreciation is provided to write off the cost

or valuation less the estimated residual value
of tangible fixed assets by equal instalments
over their estimated useful economic lives
as follows:

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

As the Company is a wholly owned subsidiary
of City Football Group Limited, the Company
has taken advantage of the exemption
contained in FRS 8 and has therefore not
disclosed transactions or balances with
wholly owned entities which form part of the
group. The consolidated financial statements
of the ultimate UK parent company City
Football Group Limited, within which this
company is included, can be obtained from
Companies House.

Advanced match revenue is included within

deferred income and is recognised over the
period of the football season as games are
played. Commercial and other partnership
revenues are included within deferred income
and are recognised over the life of the relevant
contracts.

Freehold buildings 2% straight line

Long leasehold buildings estimated useful
economic life of the asset
Short leasehold buildings estimated useful
economic life of the asset
Fixtures and fittings 10% straight line
Computer equipment 25% straight line
Cost includes directly attributable finance
costs.
These rates are designed to write off the
assets to their residual values over their
estimated useful lives.
FRS 15 requires fixed assets which are
carried at revalued amounts to be shown at
their current value at the balance sheet date.
To achieve this the Etihad Stadium, held within
long leasehold land and buildings, is subject to
a full valuation on a depreciated replacement
cost basis every five years with an interim
valuation carried out in the third year of
this cycle.
Where the Companys websites are expected
to generate future revenues in excessofcosts
of development then these costs arecapitalised.

42

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1 - Accounting policies continued

INVESTMENTS

DEFERRED TAX

CAPITAL GRANTS

Investments held as fixed assets are stated

at cost less any provision for impairment.
Provisions in the Company are made to
ensure the net assets of the Company do
not exceed that of the Group.

Deferred tax is recognised without discounting

in respect of all timing differences between
the treatment of certain items for taxation and
accounting purposes which have arisen but
not reversed by the balance sheet date except
as otherwise required by FRS 19.

Grants receivable in respect of capital

expenditure are treated as deferred income
and released to the profit and loss account
over a future period. This period will equal
the economic life of the assets to which the
grants relate in order to match the income to
the depreciation charged on those assets.
Deferred grant income in the balance sheet
represents total grants received less amounts
credited to the profit and loss account.

INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The costs associated with the acquisition
of players registrations are capitalised as
intangible fixed assets. These costs are
fully amortised over the contract period on
a straight line basis. Impairments in value
below the amortised value are provided
for when the carrying amount exceeds the
amount recoverable through use or sale.

SIGNING ON FEES
Signing on fees are charged to the profit
and loss account over the life of the
players contract.

No deferred tax asset has been recognised

as at 31 May 2015 as in the Groups opinion
it is unlikely that there will be sufficient taxable
profits arising in the foreseeable future for the
asset to be recovered.

LEASES
Where the Group enters into a lease which
entails taking substantially all the risks and
rewards of ownership of an asset, the lease
is treated as a finance lease. The asset is
recorded in the balance sheet as a tangible
fixed asset and is depreciated over its
estimated useful life or the term of the lease,
whichever is shorter. Future instalments under
such leases, net of finance charges, are
included within creditors. Rentals payable are
apportioned between the finance element,
which is charged to the profit and loss account,
and the capital element which reduces the
outstanding obligation for future instalments.
All other leases are accounted for as
operating leases and the rental charges are
charged to the profit and loss account on a
straight line basis over the life of the lease.

FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSACTIONS

Transactions in foreign currencies are
recorded using the rate of exchange ruling at
the date of the transaction. Monetary assets
and liabilities denominated in foreign currencies
are translated using the contracted rate or the
rate of exchange ruling at the balance sheet
date and the gains or losses on translation are
included in the profit and loss account.

PENSIONS
The Club is a member of the Football League
Pension and Life Assurance Scheme which
has been closed for new employees. All
pension schemes are defined contribution
schemes and all contributions are charged
to the profit and loss account as they
become payable.

43

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

2 Turnover
Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

Matchday

43,330

47,457

Broadcasting - UEFA

32,860

31,329

Broadcasting - All Other

102,566

101,910

Other commercial activities

173,010

165,816

351,766

346,512

All turnover originates in the United Kingdom. The Group has one activity which is the operation of a professional football club and
therefore a segmental analysis has not been provided. All of the results for this activity are included within the primary statements.

44

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

3 Operating profit / (loss)

Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

800

1,775

800

1,775

6,406

8,988

Audit fees

46

44

Tax services

11

38

Other services

62

Hire of other assets operating leases

118

168

Capital grants released and amortised

(170)

(116)

69,223

58,630

UEFA settlement

16,260

Insurance proceeds

(6,670)

Staff costs (Note 5)

193,821

205,044

70,291

76,484

1,719

Owned

6,892

5,277

Leased

2,194

2,006

350,613

366,160

72,244

58,611

(70,291)

(76,484)

1,953

(17,873)

Other operating income

Other operating income
Operating expenses
Direct cost of sales and consumables
Remuneration of auditors and its associates:

Other external charges

Amortisation of player registrations

Loss on disposal of fixed assets
Depreciation of tangible fixed assets:

Operating profit/(loss)
Operating profit before player trading
Amortisation of player registrations

45

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

4 Directors remuneration
Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

Directors emoluments

Company contributions to money purchase pension schemes

Amounts paid to third parties in respect of Directors services

No directors were paid in the year (2014: nil) and no Company pension contributions were made (2014: nil).

5 Staff numbers and costs

The average number of persons employed by the Company (including Directors) during the financial year, analysed by category, was as follows:
Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

Football staff including players

145

112

Commercial/administration staff

175

202

320

314

000

000

Wages and salaries

168,718

179,021

Social security costs

24,562

25,288

Other pension costs

541

735

193,821

205,044

Number of employees

The aggregate payroll costs of these persons were as follows:

46

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

6 Interest receivable and similar income

Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

30

51

30

52

Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

1,274

798

Other loans

Finance lease interest

162

1,279

960

Bank interest
Other

7 Interest payable and similar charges

Bank loans and overdrafts

47

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

8 Taxation
(a) Analysis of the tax (credit)/charge in the year:

Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

Adjustments in respect of prior years

(380)

Tax on profits from ordinary activities

(380)

Current tax
UK corporation tax at 21% (2014: 23%) on profits for the year

48

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

8 Taxation continued
(b) Factors affecting tax charge for the year:
The current tax charge for the year varies from the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 21% (2014: 23%).
The differences are explained below:

Year ended
31 May 2015
000

Year ended
31 May 2014
000

10,369

(22,929)

2,160

(5,197)

87

3,762

Fixed asset timing differences

332

1,501

Other permanent differences

497

Additional deduction for land remediation expenditure

(10)

(2,999)

(380)

30

(31)

(389)

323

(66)

(380)

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities before taxation

Profit/(loss) on ordinary activities multiplied by standard rate of corporation
tax in the UK of 21% (2014: 23%)
Effects of:
Expenses not deductible for tax purposes

Tax losses utilised in the period

Adjustments in respect of prior periods
Differences between capital allowances and depreciation
Other timing differences
Tax losses incurred in the year
Income not taxable for tax purposes
Current tax credit for the year

The Company has corporation tax losses available for carry forward of approximately 611 million (2014: 614 million).
c) Factors that may affect future tax charges:
The Company expects its effective tax rate in future years to be less than the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK due principally to the
amount of tax losses available to be set off against future taxable profits.

49

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

9 - Company results
The Company has taken advantage of the exemption allowed under section 408 of the Companies Act 2006 and has not presented
its own profit and loss account in these financial statements. The Company profit for the year includes a profit after tax of 19,618,000
(2014: 22,929,000 loss) which is dealt with in the financial statements of the parent company.

10 Intangible fixed assets

Group
Amounts paid for players registrations:

000

Cost
As at 1 June 2014

440,444

Additions

98,258

Disposals

(128,143)

As at 31 May 2015

410,559

Amortisation
As at 1 June 2014
Amortisation of player registrations

233,180
70,291

Disposals

(87,067)

As at 31 May 2015

216,404

Net book value

As at 31 May 2015

194,155

As at 1 June 2014

207,264

50

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

11 Tangible fixed assets

Land and
Buildings
(Freehold)
000

Land and
Buildings
(Short
Leasehold)
000

Land and
Buildings
(Long
Leasehold)
000

Assets under
course of
construction
000

Fixtures,
Fittings &
Equipment
000

Total
000

As at 1 June 2014

59,833

2,288

141,233

126,490

38,315

368,159

Additions

19,941

30,292

12,086

62,324

Disposals

(6,813)

(6,813)

110,227

(110,488)

261

8,869

8,869

190,001

2,288

150,107

46,294

43,849

432,539

As at 1 June 2014

1,775

637

3,537

15,900

21,849

Charge for the year

1,428

74

2,120

5,464

9,086

(5,094)

(5,094)

3,203

711

5,657

16,270

25,841

As at 31 May 2015

186,798

1,577

144,450

46,294

27,579

406,698

As at 1 June 2014

58,058

1,651

137,696

126,490

22,415

346,310

Group

Cost/valuation

Reclassification
Revaluation
As at 31 May 2015

Depreciation

Disposals
As at 31 May 2015

Net book value

51

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

11 Tangible fixed assets continued

The following information relates to tangible fixed assets carried on the basis of revaluations in accordance with FRS 15 Tangible fixed assets:

2015
000
At depreciated replacement cost

194,148

Aggregate depreciation thereon

(5,381)

Net book value

188,767

Historical cost of revalued assets

127,125

Aggregate depreciation thereon

(12,417)

Historical cost net book value

114,708

Tangible fixed assets are shown at their original cost to the Group with the exception of the Etihad Stadium. A full valuation was obtained
by the Directors as at 31 May 2015 from GVAGrimley Ltd on a depreciated replacement cost basis and was made in accordance with the
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors Asset Statements of Valuation Practice and Guidance Notes. The results of this new valuation have
subsequently been incorporated into the financial statements.
No deferred tax is provided on timing differences arising from the revaluation of fixed assets unless, by the balance sheet date, a binding
agreement to sell the assets has been entered into and it is unlikely that any gain will be rolled over.
The net book value of fixed assets at 31 May 2015 includes 188,767,015 (2014: 135,800,000) in respect of assets on finance lease or
hire purchase. Depreciation for the year on these assets was 2,088,072 (2014: 1,865,000).
The cumulative amount of interest capitalised in the total cost of tangible fixed assets amounts to 283,000 (2014: 283,000).

FINANCE LEASE ON ETIHAD STADIUM

On 5 August 2003 Maine Road was exchanged for a 250 year leasehold interest in the Etihad Stadium. Rental payments are made quarterly.
The lease has been treated as a finance lease, with the lease premium and the net present value of future rental obligations capitalised.
A finance lease creditor equal to the future obligations under the lease has been established. In calculating the future obligations an interest
rate of 7.57% and an estimated long term inflation rate of 2.5% have been applied.

52

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

12 Fixed asset investments

Company

Shares in
Subsidiary
Undertakings
000

Cost
As at 1 June 2014

1,219,190

Additions

84,300

As at 31 May 2015

1,303,490

Provision
As at 1 June 2014

646,857

Additions

Reversal of impairment

(19,618)

As at 31 May 2015

627,239

Net book value

As at 31 May 2015

676,251

As at 1 June 2014

572,333

Subsidiary undertakings

Principle activities

Proportion of voting rights and share

capital held

Manchester City Football Club Limited

Professional Football Club

100%

Manchester City Investments Limited *

Issuer of Loan Notes

100%

All companies are incorporated in England and Wales.

* denotes indirect investments.
During the year ended 31 May 2015, Manchester City Property Limited was renamed City Football Academy Manchester Limited and
Manchester City Developments Limited was renamed City Football Image Rights Limited. Both entities were transferred to City Football Group
Limited, the parent company of Manchester City Limited for a nominal fee of 1 with no profit or loss on disposal.

53

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

13 Debtors
Group

Company

2015
000

2014
000

2015
000

2014
000

Trade debtors

32,584

82,615

Debtors arising from player transfers

41,976

11,248

Amounts owed by group undertakings (Note 28)

39,810

34,930

623

21

78

60,031

47,462

174,422

176,956

5,625

11,250

19,618

10,309

530

1,314

25,773

22,873

200,195

199,829

Amounts falling due within one year

Amounts owed by related party undertakings (Note 28)

Other debtors
Prepayments and accrued income
Amounts falling due after more than one year
Trade debtors
Debtors arising from player transfers
Other debtors

Total debtors

54

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

14 Creditors: due within one year

Group

Company

2015
000

2014
000

2015
000

2014
000

331

315

2,801

4,040

Creditors arising from player transfers

19,871

9,484

Amounts owed to group undertakings

101

2,084

5,105

4,937

Other creditors including tax and social security

13,720

14,906

Accruals

56,030

81,218

97,959

116,984

Obligations under finance leases (Note 16)

Trade creditors

Amounts owed to related party undertakings

15 Creditors: due after more than one year

Group

Obligations under finance leases (Note 16)

Creditors arising from player transfers

Company

2015
000

2014
000

2015
000

2014
000

66,669

67,000

8,721

2,910

75,390

69,910

55

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

16 Borrowings
Group
Finance
Leases
000

2015
Total
000

2014
Total
000

Within one year

331

331

315

Between one and two years

347

347

331

Between two and five years

1,151

1,151

1,096

65,171

65,171

65,573

67,000

67,000

67,315

2015
000

2014
000

3,550

3,550

14,200

14,200

157,375

160,925

(108,125)

(111,360)

67,000

67,315

Maturity of debt:

After more than five years

FINANCE LEASES
Obligations under finance leases include future obligations under the lease of the Etihad Stadium.
Details are provided within note 11.
The maturity of obligations under finance leases and hire purchase contracts is as follows:

Within one year

In the second to fifth year
Over five years
Less future finance charges

56

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

17 Deferred income
Group

Company

2015
000

2014
000

2015
000

2014
000

25,127

14,459

45

45

25,172

14,504

1,028

1,073

1,028

1,073

26,200

15,577

Within one year:

Deferred income
Deferred credit for capital grants

More than one year:

Deferred income
Deferred credit for capital grants

Total deferred income

DEFERRED CREDIT FOR CAPITAL GRANTS

The movements in deferred credit for capital grants during the year were as follows:

000
At 1 June 2014
Grants released in year
At 31 May 2015

1,118
(45)
1,073

57

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

18 Called up share capital

The authorised and issued share capital at the beginning and end of the year is as follows:

2015
000

2014
000

65,103

61,127

12

12

65,115

61,139

Issued and called up

651,028,873 (2014: 611,264,723) Ordinary shares of 10p each fully paid
20 (2014: 20) Ordinary shares of 10p each 2.5p paid
49,998 (2014: 49,998) Redeemable deferred shares of 1 each 25p paid

During the year 39,764,150 ordinary shares of 10p each were issued for a consideration of 2.12 per share.
The total consideration was 84.3m and the premium of 80.3m has been included in the share premium account (see note 19).

19 Reserves

At 1 June 2014
Retained loss for the year
Issue of shares
Revaluation in the year
At 31 May 2015

Share Premium
Group and
Company
000

Revaluation
Reserve
Group
000

Profit &
Loss Account
Group
000

Profit &
Loss Account
Company
000

1,152,069

44,686

(685,561)

(640,875)

10,749

19,618

80,324

8,869

1,232,393

53,555

(674,812)

(621,257)

58

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

20 - Contingent liabilities
Additional transfer fees, signing on fees and loyalty bonuses of 112,918,000 (2014: 100,563,000) that will become payable
upon the achievement of certain conditions contained within player and transfer contracts if they are still in the service of the
Club on specific future dates are accounted for in the year in which they fall due for payment.

21 Reconciliations of movement in shareholders funds

Group

Company

2015
000

2014
000

2015
000

2014
000

10,749

(22,929)

19,618

(22,929)

8,869

84,300

160,000

84,300

160,000

Net increase in shareholders funds

103,918

137,071

103,918

137,071

Opening shareholders funds

572,333

435,262

572,333

435,262

Total closing shareholders funds

676,251

572,333

676,251

572,333

Profit/(loss) for the financial year

Revaluation adjustment
Issue of shares

Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

22 - Pensions
The Company is a member of The Football League Limited Pension and Life Assurance Scheme, a pension scheme providing benefits based
on final pensionable pay. As the Company is unable to identify its share of the scheme assets and liabilities on a consistent and reasonable
basis, as permitted by FRS 17 Retirement benefits, the scheme has been accounted for in these financial statements as if the scheme was
a defined contribution scheme.
At 31 May 2015 a Minimum Funding Requirement Deficit was identified in the scheme, of which 230,644 (2014: 316,436) was allocated to
the Company.
A full actuarial valuation was carried out at 31 August 2014 and was updated for FRS 17 purposes by a qualified independent actuary.
The contribution for the year was 63,857 (2014: 63,857). 22 - Pensions
The Company is a member of The Football League Limited Pension and Life Assurance Scheme, a pension scheme providing benefits based
on final pensionable pay. As the Company is unable to identify its share of the scheme assets and liabilities on a consistent and reasonable
basis, as permitted by FRS 17 Retirement benefits, the scheme has been accounted for in these financial statements as if the scheme was
a defined contribution scheme.
At 31 May 2015 a Minimum Funding Requirement Deficit was identified in the scheme, of which 230,644 (2014: 316,436) was allocated to
the Company.
A full actuarial valuation was carried out at 31 August 2014 and was updated for FRS 17 purposes by a qualified independent actuary.
The contribution for the year was 63,857 (2014: 63,857).

59

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Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

23 Commitments
The annual commitments under non-cancellable operating leases are set out below.

2015
000

2014
000

Within one year

67

Within two and five years

After five years

71

2015
000

2014
000

10,036

47,905

Expiring:

The capital commitments contracted but not provided for are as follows:

Contracted but not provided for

The capital commitments represent contracted amounts in relation to the construction of the
City Football Academy and the expansion of the Etihad Stadium.

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Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

24 Reconciliation of operating profit/(loss) to net cash inflow from operating activities

2015
000

2014
000

1,953

(17,873)

70,291

76,484

Depreciation

9,086

7,283

Loss on sale of fixed assets

1,719

35,929

(29,985)

(16,041)

(8,429)

(45)

(53)

102,892

27,427

2015
000

2014
000

53,351

7,356

315

299

53,666

7,655

(45,914)

(53,569)

7,752

(45,914)

Operating profit/(loss)
Amortisation and impairment of players registrations

Decrease/(increase) in debtors
Decrease in creditors
Release and amortisation of grants
Net cash inflow from operating activities

25 Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net cash/(debt)

Increase in cash in the year
Net cash inflow from movement in debt
Movement in net debt resulting from cash flows
Other non-cash changes
Opening net debt position
Closing net cash/(debt) position

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Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

26 Analysis of changes in net cash/(debt)

As at 1 June 2014
000

Cash flow
000

As at 31 May 2015
000

Cash at bank and in hand

21,401

53,351

74,752

Movement in net cash position in the year

21,401

53,351

74,752

Debt due within one year

Debt due after one year

21,401

53,351

74,752

(67,315)

315

(67,000)

(45,914)

53,666

7,752

Net cash (excluding finance leases)

Finance leases

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Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

27 - Financial instruments and risk management

The Groups financial instruments comprise borrowings, cash and liquid resources, and various items such as trade debtors and trade creditors
that arise directly from its operations. The main purpose of the financial instruments is to finance the Companys operations. It is, and has been
throughout the period under review, the Groups policy that no trading in financial instruments shall be undertaken.
The main risks arising from the Groups financial instruments are interest rate risk, liquidity risk and foreign exchange risk. The Board reviews
and agrees policies for managing each of these risks. These policies have remained unchanged since the prior year.

INTEREST RATE RISK PROFILE OF FINANCIAL ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

The Company has no financial assets, other than short-term debtors and an amount of cash at bank. The interest rate risk profile of the
Companys financial liabilities as at 31 May 2015 was:

Total
000

Floating rate
Financial
Liabilities
000

Fixed rate
Financial
Liabilities
000

Non-Interest
Financial
Liabilities
000

As at 31 May 2015

67,000

67,000

As at 31 May 2014

67,315

67,315

The fixed rate liabilities comprise finance lease obligations of 67,000,000 as detailed in note 16.
The maturity profile of the Companys financial liabilities as at 31 May 2015 is shown in note 16.
The carrying values of financial assets and financial liabilities approximate to their fair values.

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Manchester City Annual Report 2014-15 | Financial Report | Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

28 - Related party transactions

TRANSACTIONS WITH SUBSIDIARIES
OF CITY FOOTBALL GROUP LIMITED

TRANSACTIONS WITH BROOKSHAW

DEVELOPMENTS LIMITED

Transactions during the year ended 31 May

2015 with New York City Football Club LLC,
a fellow subsidiary of City Football Group
Limited, consisted of loans totalling 70,000
(2014: 308,000), which are included in
debtors due within one year and the
provision of services of 58,000 (2014: nil).

During the year, tangible assets consisting of

land and buildings with a net book value of
2,158,000 were purchased from Brookshaw
Developments Limited, a company also owned
by Abu Dhabi United Group Investment &
Development and a balance of 5,105,000
(2014: 4,937,000) is included in creditors
due within one year.

Transactions during the year ended 31 May

2015 with Melbourne City Football Club Pty
Limited, a fellow subsidiary of City Football
Group Limited, consisted of a cost recharges
totalling 117,000 (2014: nil), which are
included in debtors due within one year.

29 - Post balance sheet events

30 - Ultimate parent company

As at the date of signing the Directors Report,

since the year-end the football registrations of
Raheem Sterling (from Liverpool FC), Fabian
Delph (from Aston Villa FC), Nicolas Otamendi
(from Valencia CF) and Patrick Roberts (from
Fulham FC) have been acquired. The football
registrations of Karim Rekik (to Olympique de
Marseille), Edin Dzeko (to AS Roma), Marcos
Mesquita-Lopes (to AS Monaco) and Dedryck
Boyata (to Celtic FC) have been sold. The
net expenditure on these transactions was
approximately 68.3m.

As at the 31 May 2015 the Groups parent

undertaking was City Football Group Limited,
a company incorporated in Englandand Wales.
The Groups ultimate parent undertaking
was Abu Dhabi United Group Investment &
Development, a company registered in Abu
Dhabi and wholly owned by His Highness
Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.