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Registered number:
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
COMPANY INFORMATION
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
CONTENTS
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
The directors present the strategic report for the year ended 31 October 2025.
To continue as one of the world's leading professional rugby league clubs and also to maximise non-rugby
related revenue streams available to the club as a result of its ownership of its, wholly-owned, stadium facility.
The 2025 season was another difficult season for the club.
A league position of fifth then saw us eliminated in the semi-final of the play offs by Hull KR. The St Helens women’s team lost out in both the Grand Final and the Challenge Cup Final and continued to evolve professionally. Home Gate receipts were comparable to 2024 but in general there was a drop off in visiting fans presumably a result of all games being televised. Super League distributions remained flat despite all games being televised. Retail sales were down but Non Match day Hospitality and Events continued at around the same levels. Hosting Liverpool Women’s Football Team for a full season generates additional margin. Total revenues rose 3% from £8,581,390 in 2024 to £8,876,350 in 2025. Operating losses decreased from £3,554,463 to £3,459,279 in 2025. Costs have increased across all of the teams and the stadium as well as the impact of the national minimum wage, business rates and employers national insurance contributions. We continually look at ways to control and reduce our costs. Earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation improved marginally from a loss of £2,559,952 in 2024 to a loss of £2,483,001 in 2025. Net assets decreased from £6,906,257 in 2024 to £3,701,901 in 2025. Debtors and cash are £964,929 (2024 - £980,069).
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
The principal risk of the Group is an adverse performance on the pitch, and its subsequent effect on income streams. The Group believe that they have in place the appropriate facilities and staff to ensure that the team continues to challenge in all competitions.
Energy prices are a major concern as there is no way to pass on these increased costs without impacting attendances for both match and non-match day activity. Support funding received from the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for the sport of rugby league in 2020 started to be repaid including the interest from July 2023. Credit risk It is the Group's policy that customers who wish to trade on credit terms are subject to credit verification procedures. Receivable balances are monitored on an ongoing basis and action is taken promptly when payment terms are breached. Interest rate risk The Group has a fixed rate of interest on its loans from RFL Investments Ltd. All other financial instruments are non-interest bearing. Liquidity risk The Board monitors monthly cash forecasts prepared by management based on historic trading levels and expected future trading levels. Costs are constantly reviewed and capital investment is closely controlled. Foreign currency risk The group trades primarily in the UK and as such the level of foreign currency risk is quite low.
The key performance indicators are operating profit/(loss) and the net assets figure. These indicators are disclosed in the financial statements on pages 12 and 13 respectively and discussed in the business review above.
In line with all rugby league clubs, we are subject to IMG Grading of which we are Grade A (2024 - Grade A).
Whilst our average home attendance has fallen slightly to 9,491 from 9,966, our Social Media followers have increased from 277,260 to 295,505 and engagements have increased from 32 million to nearly 37 million. Our non-centralised turnover has increased to 86% of total turnover (2024 - 82%).
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
GROUP STRATEGIC REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
The mission of St Helens RFC is to be a successful rugby league club regularly competing in, and winning, the competitions in which they participate. The directors have a duty to promote the success of the company for the benefit of its employees and key stakeholders.
Stakeholders The directors actively engage with stakeholders of the group to create positive relationships. Our key stakeholders include our employees who are at the centre of our business, working to achieve our aims. Members and supporters in the wider St Helens community are key to the Group, and ensuring they receive a positive experience whenever they visit the stadium is key to the business. Customers A main focus of St Helens RFC is to achieve excellent customer service. Some of our customers are also sponsors with whom we have developed long standing relationships, built on openness and quality of service. The directors and employees continue to promote these relationships with a view to ensuring the long-term success of the business. Suppliers We work closely with our suppliers, many of whom are based within the St Helens community. The directors believe it is important to create positive relationships with local businesses where many employees of such businesses are also supporters. St Helens community The directors recognise that the Group is at the centre of the St Helens community and consideration is given to the effect on the community and the environment of prospective decisions before they are taken. The Group is one of the largest employers in the area and the directors recognise their responsibility to the town. Decision making Key decisions are presented to the Board at executive meetings by the management team. Directors are briefed on any possible risks to the business or any of its stakeholders and how they are to be managed. The Directors take these factors into account before making a final decision which they believe to be in the best interests of the Group. Sustainability The directors and senior management focus on the long-term sustainability of the Group when making business decisions in order to ensure stable returns. The Board annually reviews and approves a three-year strategic plan and performance against this is reviewed in the year. The potential impact and risks to individual stakeholders of the plan are highlighted to the Board. This is to ensure that the Group is conducting all business relationships with integrity.
This report was approved by the board on 26 May 2026 and signed on its behalf.
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
The directors present their report and the financial statements for the year ended 31 October 2025.
The directors are responsible for preparing the Group strategic report, the Directors' report and the consolidated financial statements in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
In preparing these financial statements, the directors are required to:
∙select suitable accounting policies for the Group's financial statements and then apply them consistently;
∙make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
∙state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
∙prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Group will continue in business.
The directors are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Company's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Company and the Group and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Company and the Group and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
The principal activity of the Company continued to be that of a holding company.
The loss for the year, after taxation, amounted to £3,369,718 (2024 - loss £1,921,533).
No ordinary dividends were paid in the current or prior period. The directors do not recommend payment of a final dividend.
The directors who served during the year were:
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
Given that central distributions are unlikely to dramatically increase in the short term, the club will focus on improving operational revenues as well as reviewing and rationalising its costs.
Given the brand of rugby league and the quality of the clubs facilities and stadium, it is relatively well placed to improve its financial performance and position over the longer term.
Research and development is in biomechanics and is based on qualifying costs.
The Group encourages the involvement of its employees in its management through regular meetings for the dissemination of information of particular concern to employees, including the financial and economic factors affecting the performance of the company and for receiving their views on important matters of policy.
The club management team meet monthly and hold meetings with staff both pre and post all games to ensure good communication is maintained. Key messages and policy communications are conducted via team briefings and the club undertakes a staff appraisal system to create an environment where two-way communication is encouraged and good working practices are communicated and reviewed with employees and their managers.
In accordance with section 172 of the Companies Act, the Group has a requirement to report on a need to foster the Group's business relationships with suppliers, customers and others. The relationships are considered in the decision making of the Group, the details of which are included in the strategic report.
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
The Group is reviewing half hour energy usage and changing as many light fittings as possible to LED to reduce energy usage. Options around Solar power and EV points are also being investigated.
Intensity measurement
The chosen intensity measurement ration is total gross emissions in metric tonnes CO2e per employee, the recommended ratio for the sector.
There have been no significant events affecting the Group since the year end.
The auditors, WR Partners, will be proposed for reappointment in accordance with section 485 of the Companies Act 2006.
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
DIRECTORS' REPORT (CONTINUED)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
This report was approved by the board on 26 May 2026 and signed on its behalf.
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
We have audited the financial statements of Sporting Club St. Helens Limited (the 'Parent Company') and its subsidiaries (the 'Group') for the year ended 31 October 2025, which comprise the Consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the Consolidated analysis of net debt, the Consolidated Balance Sheet, the Company Balance Sheet, the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, the Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity, the Company Statement of Changes in Equity and the related notes, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 ‘The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the directors' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.
Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the Group's or the Parent Company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.
Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the directors with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report other than the financial statements and our Auditors' report thereon. The directors are responsible for the other information contained within the Annual Report. Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon. Our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the course of the audit, or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact.
We have nothing to report in this regard.
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
∙the information given in the Group strategic report and the Directors' report for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
∙the Group strategic report and the Directors' report have been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the Group and the Parent Company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Group strategic report or the Directors' report.
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an Auditors' report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these Group financial statements.
Irregularities, including fraud, are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. We design procedures in line with our responsibilities, outlined above, to detect material misstatements in respect of irregularities, including fraud. The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:
The audit team obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks that are applicable to the Group and determined that the most significant are those that relate to the reporting framework (FRS 102 and the Companies Act 2006), the relevant tax compliance regulations, employment law, health and safety regulations and UK General Data Protection Regulation. We understood how the Group is complying with these frameworks by making enquiries of management and those responsible for legal and compliance procedures.
The audit team identified the risk of management override of controls and revenue recognition as the areas where the financial statements were most susceptible to material misstatement due to fraud. Audit procedures performed included but were not limited to testing manual journal entries and other adjustments, consideration of management bias in relation to key estimates, and evaluating the business rationale in relation to significant, unusual transactions and transactions entered into outside the normal course of business. We tested a sample of revenue transactions recorded in the year and either side of the year end to determine whether there was any evidence of material mistatement due to fraud.
Because of the inherent limitations of an audit, there is a risk that we will not detect all irregularities, including those leading to a material misstatement in the financial statements or non-compliance with regulation. This risk increases the more that compliance with a law or regulation is removed from the events and transactions reflected in the financial statements, as we will be less likely to become aware of instances of non-compliance. The risk is also greater regarding irregularities occurring due to fraud rather than error, as fraud involves intentional concealment, forgery, collusion, omission or misrepresentation.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at: www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Auditors' report.
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED (CONTINUED)
This report is made solely to the Company's 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 Company's 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 accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company and the Company's members, as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
for and on behalf of
Chartered Accountants
Statutory Auditors
3 Royal Court
Gadbrook Way
Gadbrook Park
Cheshire
CW9 7UT
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2025
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 03875497
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2025
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 03875497
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED)
AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2025
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 26 May 2026.
The notes on pages 20 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
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SPORTING CLUB ST. HELENS LIMITED
REGISTERED NUMBER: 03875497
COMPANY BALANCE SHEET
AS AT 31 OCTOBER 2025
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the board and were signed on its behalf on 26 May 2026.
The notes on pages 20 to 38 form part of these financial statements.
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