Sheffield United chief clarifies club's financial future in case of another promotion failure

Stephen Bettis says the club's finances regarding day-to-day operations are in a 'really good place' and it's only the Premier League hangover that is 'far from ideal'. Although the majority of players are facing a second round of reductions after failing to secure promotion, there are still some that are reflective of their two-year stay in the top flight.

Transfer fees are also spread over the course of a two and three-year period and there are some deals yet to be paid off in full. Parachute payments have been put aside to take care of these but if Sheffield United fail to secure a return next season they will only benefit from this financial package for a further year.

After that, they will be on their own and any outstanding payments or player contracts from that period will need to be under control. There has been fan concern that failure to go up last season when they missed out on promotion via the play-offs to Nottingham Forest has hit the club hard. And that failure to do so again could spell real danger.

However, that is not the case. The club's decision to announce their strategic vision in November and move to a self-sustainable model means finances are not too much of a worry and it won't be a disaster should Premier League football elude them for another 12 months.

Asked if there is a financial iceberg up ahead if they don't secure promotion in 2022-23, Bettis told Yorkshire Live: "No, because the club is making profits, which day to day is covering the wages.

"It's only investment in the players that would cause us financial difficulties. The situation is far from ideal but it's manageable. It was just about the hangover of paying players from the Premier League (era), not the day-to-day operations.

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