Premiership champions Chelsea have reported record losses of £140 million for last year.
The West Londoners are aiming to become a profitable business by the end of the decade but have still been dipping into owner Roman Abramovich's personal fortune on a regular basis.
Last year's losses were £88 million but the year's figures do not take into account the bumper sponsorship deals with Adidas and Samsung.
However, the £25 million paid to Umbro to free themselves from that particular contract and the termination of banned striker Adrian Mutu's terms do feature in the latest results.
"These figures reflect the continuing restructuring of the business which we began in 2003/4," said chief executive Peter Kenyon in a statement.
"The overall loss increase is, in the main, down to some exceptional items that were necessary in order to help us achieve our strategic business aim of break-even by 2009/10.
"In simple terms, we have taken some pain now for long-term gain."
Kenyon will be buoyed by a reduction in players' salary costs and an increase in football revenues.
Sky Sports
Even for Abramovich, this should be too much!
The West Londoners are aiming to become a profitable business by the end of the decade but have still been dipping into owner Roman Abramovich's personal fortune on a regular basis.
Last year's losses were £88 million but the year's figures do not take into account the bumper sponsorship deals with Adidas and Samsung.
However, the £25 million paid to Umbro to free themselves from that particular contract and the termination of banned striker Adrian Mutu's terms do feature in the latest results.
"These figures reflect the continuing restructuring of the business which we began in 2003/4," said chief executive Peter Kenyon in a statement.
"The overall loss increase is, in the main, down to some exceptional items that were necessary in order to help us achieve our strategic business aim of break-even by 2009/10.
"In simple terms, we have taken some pain now for long-term gain."
Kenyon will be buoyed by a reduction in players' salary costs and an increase in football revenues.
Sky Sports
Even for Abramovich, this should be too much!
