Stadium plans on track despite loss

Bristol City say their new stadium plans are on track despite the club reporting an operating loss of just under £2m for last season.

City chairman Steve Lansdown says the Robins remain committed to a new stadium at Ashton Vale after revealing a £1,997,779 loss for the 2007/08 season.

Lansdown has put the growing figure down to staff costs rising from £5.6m to £8.5m despite the progress of Gary Johnson's side to the Championship play-offs helping turnover double from £4.3m to £8.8m.

But he insists the stadium plans are not affected by the loss, as he told the club's website: "I am pleased to report that this project is progressing satisfactorily," he said. "It is vitally important for the success of the football club that such a project is successful."

The chairman added: "Competing in the Championship has brought its own problems, in particular, controlling the wage bill.

"Everyone focuses on transfer activity when talking about improving the playing squad but an equally important element of this is the renegotiation of contracts with existing players. It is going to be increasingly difficult to keep wages under control if we wish to progress as a football club

"In fact, one of our biggest challenges is managing player expectation whilst at the same time providing the appropriate incentives.

"This also applies to all members of staff throughout the group.

"What we will work hard to ensure is that we use every means available to bring in quality players at the best possible price and reward as much as possible on a performance-related basis."

The club plan to hold their AGM on November 27, which is open to shareholders and members of the Supporters Club and Supporters Trust.