WARRINGTON Wolves recorded a profit of more than £200,000 for the 2018 season.

Accounts submitted by Warrington Sports Holdings last week showed that the club made a total of £224,000 last year.

It is the first year since 2015 that the Wire posted a financial gain, having lost £68,000 in 2017 and £263,000 in 2016.

Wolves’ income ‘remained fairly consistent year-on-year’, growing to £7.2million in 2018 from £7million the previous year.

During the same period, administrative expenses were cut by more than £40,000 to just under £6.3million.

Transfer fees of £190,000 were paid out, compared to a £335,000 spend on signings in 2017.

Last season was a positive one on the pitch for the club, with the team making both the Challenge Cup final and Grand Final in head coach Steve Price’s debut year in charge.

Warrington Wolves have already booked their place at Wembley for later this month, and will also be hoping for a return to Old Trafford.

Club chairman Stuart Middleton said: “It is pleasing to report an increase in turnover and that the club is now back in a profitable position after a disappointing previous year – the significant changes and investment made during this accounting period resulted in a Challenge Cup final and Grand Final appearance and a top-four league position.

“The acquisition of a number of quality playing personnel, the recruitment of a new head coach, assistant coach, head of rugby operations and other key positions helped to achieve this – the club further invested in the youth structure, training facilities and stadium modernisation.

“Although the club is in a better financial position, it is still reliant on on-going financial support from key board members.”

Warrington Guardian:

Stuart Middleton with Warrington Wolves chief executive Karl Fitzpatrick

Accounts also noted that the club was reliant on Sky TV funding for a ‘significant part of its income’, as well as on its matchday revenues from ticket sales.

Mr Middleton added: “The long-term strategy is to continue to develop Warrington Wolves as the best rugby league club in Super League – the club has four long-term strategic aims that include the creation of a people-centric business that has a high-performance culture, to increase the membership revenue by engaging with supporters, to consistently achieve on-field success and to achieve financial sustainability.

“The board believes that these four strategic aims will lead to the realisation of the club’s vision to become the leading club in Super League.

“I would like to thank each and every colleague at the club for their contributions and to our sponsors, volunteers, foundation and fans for their continued support – it is greatly appreciated.”