UK Sports Sector Shows Strong Payment Performance, But Laggards Remain

The Numbers

• Companies analysed: 26

• Average PaymentCheck Score: 72.1/100

• UK average: 50.0/100 (Sports is 22.1 points above)

• Top 5 Payers:

  1. PFPL PROJECTS SURREY HEATH LTD - 100/100
  2. FULHAM FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED - 95.5/100
  3. SWANSEA CITY ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED(THE) - 92.7/100
  4. NORTHAMPTON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED - 91.73/100
  5. CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED - 91.7/100

• Bottom 5 Payers:

  1. THE BLACKBURN ROVERS FOOTBALL AND ATHLETIC LIMITED - 29.4/100
  2. THE DERBY COUNTY FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED - 47.4/100
  3. WH HOLDING LIMITED - 50.3/100
  4. NORWICH CITY FOOTBALL CLUB PLC - 50.65/100
  5. CELTIC F.C. LIMITED - 56.4/100

• By Region (average PaymentCheck Score):

  • East Midlands: 91.7 (1 company)
  • Wales: 86.3 (2 companies)
  • London: 76.6 (9 companies)
  • West Midlands: 74.4 (3 companies)
  • North West: 66.3 (7 companies)

What Stands Out

The sports sector's average PaymentCheck Score of 72.1 is significantly better than the UK average of 50, suggesting generally strong payment ethics. However, the wide range of scores, from 100 to 29.4, indicates considerable disparity in payment practices within the industry. This means that suppliers need to be extra diligent, perhaps using a late payment calculator to determine interest owed on overdue invoices.

Best Payers

1. PFPL PROJECTS SURREY HEATH LTD - 100/100
2. FULHAM FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED - 95.5/100
3. SWANSEA CITY ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED(THE) - 92.7/100
4. NORTHAMPTON RUGBY FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED - 91.73/100
5. CHELSEA FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED - 91.7/100

Worst Payers

1. THE BLACKBURN ROVERS FOOTBALL AND ATHLETIC LIMITED - 29.4/100
2. THE DERBY COUNTY FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED - 47.4/100
3. WH HOLDING LIMITED - 50.3/100
4. NORWICH CITY FOOTBALL CLUB PLC - 50.65/100
5. CELTIC F.C. LIMITED - 56.4/100

Regional Patterns

The East Midlands had the highest regional average at 91.7, but this is based on just one company so it can't be considered a representative finding. Of the remaining regions, London, with nine companies analyzed, performs strongest with a 76.6 average, while the North West lags behind at 66.3 based on seven companies.

Ultimately, while the sports sector scores an average 72.1, outperforming the UK benchmark, the bottom payer's score of just 29.4 reveals serious payment issues still exist within the industry.