9gc Group have been shareholders in the Darlington Football Club (CIC) since the rebirth of the club last summer, having been relegated four divisions from the Football Conference.

Just over a week ago on a tense afternoon at their temporary Heritage Park home in Bishop Auckland, the Quakers got the points they needed to seal the title and promotion against Team Northumbria. It was an emotional afternoon for all involved but a long season was bought to an end thanks to a brace of goals from Amar Purewal and Chris Emms.

Darlington lifted the Northern League trophy days later when they faced Guisborough Town, but the party was already well underway following the Team Northumbria match for the crowd of nearly 2,000 fans who crammed into Heritage Park by the time the full time whistle was blown.

The core business, which combines the traditional Formula One business and activity that commercialises Formula One derived IP, has seen turnover increase from £102.3m to £124.3m. This has led to an increase in overall Group turnover of 22% to £127m (2011: £104.5m). The Group, however, made a loss before taxation in the year of £5.0m (2011: profit £7.4m) as a result of the impact of a technical accounting treatment of one of the Group’s key receipts during the year.

Williams Hybrid Power and Williams Technology Centre Qatar, continue to grow as expected and their losses reflect the investments made in these businesses for long term growth and value and are in line with the board’s business plan.

Our key figures are:

Overall Group results

•    Turnover increased by 22% to £127m (2011: £104.5m)
•    Loss before taxation of £5.0m (2011: profit £7.4m)
•    Loss per share of 47.39 pence (2011: Earnings per share of 81.10 pence)

Core business results:

•    Turnover increased by 21.5% to £124.3m (2011: £102.3m)
•    Loss before taxation of £0.6m (2011: profit £9.7m)

Investment business results:

•    The Williams Technology Centre Qatar (WTCQ) turnover improved to £0.3m (2011: £0.1m). Loss before taxation of £1.8m (2011: £0.4m)
•    Williams Hybrid Power (WHP) turnover up from £2.1m (2011) to £2.4m. Loss before taxation  stands at £2.6m (2011: £1.9m)

Founder and Team Principal of the Williams F1 Team, Sir Frank Williams, said; “2012 saw Williams make encouraging progress on and off the track and we are determined to continue that upward trend in 2013. The win at the 2012 Spanish Grand Prix was a particular highlight and we continue to develop strong sponsorship partnerships and engineering relationships. At the end of the year the Williams F1 Team finished 8th in the FIA Formula One World Constructors’ Championship.  There is still a way to go for the team to get to where we should be, but improvements on previous seasons are evident.”

Alex Burns, Chief Executive Officer, added; “Williams has embarked on a long term strategy that combines visible success on the track with an ambitious diversification programme. The Williams brand and the intellectual property built up over many years of performing at the cutting edge of technological developments gives the Group a unique position in the global marketplace. Strong turnover in the year of £127.0 million reflects our revenue from Formula One and our ability to earn commercial returns from diversification. During the year the Group made an overall loss before taxation of £5.0 million. Revenue of £9.4 million, received under the Bilateral Agreement with Formula One World Championship Limited, the sport’s commercial rights holder, has not been included in these results because of the technical interpretation of today’s accounting standards.

“Highlights for Williams Hybrid Power included its flywheel technology being used in the winning Audi Le Mans entry, an agreement with Go-Ahead Group to develop flywheel technology for buses and a similar agreement with Alstom to develop a system for trams. Another milestone was the Group’s fulfilment of its agreement with Jaguar Cars Limited to provide the motorsport expertise behind the development of the C-X75 hybrid supercar prototype.  To accommodate the Group’s plans to exploit the commercial applications of its technologies, 2012 also saw the start of construction of a new Williams Advanced Engineering facility at the Oxfordshire site.  The growth of these new investment businesses at a time of global financial instability, evidenced by a rapid increase in revenue under the Williams Advanced Engineering brand from £16m (2011) to £38m (2012), puts us on a sound footing to deliver to our long term strategy”.

9gc Ltd are delighted to announce the launch of our sports business consultancy aimed at assisting professional sports clubs in all aspects of their operations.

Our consultants have an impressive 30 years collective experience in the sports market, having been involved in professional football and ice hockey at the highest levels.

Prior to launching this specific service we have already enjoyed working relationships notably with the Newcastle Vipers Ice Hockey Club (British Elite League), Morzine-Avoriaz Ice Hockey Club (French Ligue Magnus), Northern Stars Ice Hockey Club (English National League), Sheffield Steelers Ice Hockey Club (British Elite League) and Slough Jets Ice Hockey Club (English Premier League).

Revenue generation and constant promotion is imperative to every sporting organisation in the highly competitive market where various entertainment businesses are vying for their customers ‘disposable income’.

Through our vast expertise of the sports market, our services are designed to help your business grow and development, while providing the important services that are also affordable to you.

We provide a very personal and professional service, operating with total discretion and allowing you the important input and interaction to achieve your businesses goal and objectives.

What can 9gc Ltd do for you?

- Commercial sales strategy (i.e. improving ticket sales, promotional offers, sponsorship sourcing)

- Financial management (i.e. cash flow budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, management accounting)

- Networking management (i.e. networking events, relationship management with corporate partners)

- Administration ( i.e. player and staff contract negotiation, player registration documentation)

- Club website development and management

- Generate media releases

- Social media management and strategy

- Website content preparation

- Email Marketing

- Merchandising

Well it’s been a very busy week for me, especially with my 9 Hockey Management situation with Jesse Schultz and the Braehead Clan. Jesse’s decision was very much a surprise to me, as well as Kirsty Longmuir, Jordan Krestanovich and Neil Black. Jesse has decided to join the Rapid City Rush who I would class as one of the best organisation’s in the Central Hockey League. 

From the moment Milano Rossoblu decided to release Jesse, he’d made me aware he wanted to return to Rapid City after such a successful season during 2011/12. However at that time the Rush didn’t have a free roster spot so decided not to make a move. So I started talking to a number of European teams, Braehead confirmed their interest, terms were agreed and a contract was signed and returned. 

Everything proceeded normally as they do in these situations, Jesse went through his visa application process and flights were booked. So when I received his email last week to say he was no longer joining the Clan, I was far from impressed. 

Unfortunately in hockey business these things happen, however it’s how clubs and players manage them that is important. Jesse hadn’t advised me that he was negotiating directly with Rapid City, so that in theory can damage my relationship with Braehead. He’d committed to a contract with the Clan, they’d made a financial investment in him (visa, work permit, ITC, flight costs), rightly so they weren’t happy.

Even as an agent I believe it is imperative to stand by what is right, even if a client of mine is wrong! If a player has been ‘screwed’ by a club I would always stand by my client. However these situations work both ways, if a player ‘screws’ a club over, the club rightly should pursue this further and ask for compensation or even block the transfer through the relevant governing bodies. 

At no time was the two week notice period invoked by Jesse that is standard in most British Elite League contracts. This obviously works well for clubs wanting to release guys, but at the same time plays straight into a players hand. In Europe the majority of teams would have to buy a player out of his contract if they wanted to release him or vice versa if a player wanted to leave a club he would possibly have to buy himself out of his contract. 

I have no issue at all with Jesse joining Rapid City, they are a great organisation and a successful one at that, however ethics must come into matters such as these. I understand losing players while under contract is becoming more and more of an issue with for a number of European clubs and especially Central Hockey League clubs.

From discussions I’ve had this week we may see this escalated to the IIHF, Hockey Canada and USA Hockey for some sort of agreement or regulation. I do think it’s important going forward purely for players and clubs to understand where they stand plus to do’s and do not’s.

At the weekend I am heading to see Darlington FC take on Durham City AFC in the Ebac Northern League Division 1. Having been born in Darlington, I have always kept a lookout for their results during their days in League 2 and the Conference National. 

However following relegation to the Conference North at the end of last  season, the club went bankrupt due to varying financial constraints. A consortium was formed to buy the club with the hope of keeping them in the Conference North, however the Football Association took the decision to demote then four divisions to the Northern League.

When the opportunity came up to invest in the club through the Community Interest Company that had been setup, it was an opportunity I felt 9gc couldn’t pass up. We’d previously invested money in Conference National club, Ebbsfleet United, but the opportunity to do something ‘closer to home’ was something I decided to pursue. 

Darlington 1883 FC, as they are now officially know as, are currently top of the Ebac Northern League Division 1 four points ahead of Spennymoor Town as they look to get promoted to the Evo-Stick Northern Premier League Division One North at the first attempt. 

If you’re around the Durham area on Saturday, get down to New Ferens Park for 3.00pm to see Darlington take on Durham City.

9gc are delighted to announce that the group have acquired shares in Williams Grand Prix Holdings, the public limited company of the Williams F1 team.

Williams F1 is one of the world’s leading Formula One teams – and the Williams name has been synonymous with top-level motor racing since the 1960s. Williams has won 16 FIA Formula One World Championships (nine for constructors, in partnership with Cosworth, Honda and Renault, and seven for drivers, with Alan Jones, Keke Rosberg, Nelson Piquet, Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve).

The purchase of shares in Williams Grand Prix Holdings comes after the 9gc Group recently invested in the community interest company of Darlington 1883 Football Club. The 9gc Group mandate continues to include sports investment and Formula One is currently one of few pure global sporting brands.

9gc’s Managing Director/CEO Gareth Chalmers said: “We have been looking into the options of Formula One investment for sometime now. Williams F1 is a name synonymous with success in the sport and a highly respected worldwide brand. For myself I grew up watching the likes to Nigel Mansell, Damon Hill and Jacques Villeneuve winning world championships so this also has a personal connection for me also.

“We are excited to have this connection with Williams F1 and are looking forward to watching the team develop hopefully back into a major force in Formula One in the coming years.”

For further information on Williams F1: www.williamsf1.com.

The 9gc Group are delighted to announce that we recently acquired a shareholder stake in the community interest company of Darlington 1883 Football Club.

The newly formed club were brought into existence this summer following the collapse of the original Darlington Football Club who at that time were a Blue Square Premier outfit. The club were unfortunately relegated four divisions by the English Football Association to the Northern League Division 1 for the start of the 2012/13 season.

The investment in Darlington 1883 FC comes after the 9gc Group decided in July to sever their investment with Blue Square Premier football club, Ebbsfleet United FC. The 9gc Group had bought a stake in the Essex based club back in 2007, however the appeal of being involved in a club closer to the company’s roots was something we felt we couldn’t let pass by.

Following the purchase of shares in Darlington 1883 FC, the 9gc Group continue their investment in sporting organisations with the 9 Hockey Management and 9 Football Management agencies plus Legends Ice Hockey and the hibernated Newcastle Vipers Ice Hockey club being under the group umbrella.

9gc’s Managing Director/CEO Gareth Chalmers said: “The 9gc Group continues to look for new investment opportunities especially in sporting markets. While we enjoyed our investment relationship with Ebbsfleet United FC, the opportunity to invest in my hometown team was something I wanted to pursue as soon as I became aware of the chance.

“I would like to wish Martin Gray, Brian Atkinson and all the players all the best for the club’s inaugural season in the EBAC Northern League Division 1.”

For further information on Darlington 1883 Football Club: www.darlington1883.co.uk.

The 9gc Group have taken the difficult decision to sever ties with Blue Square Premier football club, Ebbsfleet United.

9gc have been a shareholder with the Kent outfit since the MyFootballClub community took over the club in 2007.

9gc remain committed to investing in sport and notably football, and will be announcing new investment in the coming days.

In recent years Ebbsfleet have gone through some turbulent times on the pitch, celebrating promotion back to the Blue Square Premier after relegation twelve months earlier.

However in 2008, the club picked up the biggest honour in their history, winning the FA Trophy at Wembley.

9gc Group director Gareth Chalmers commented: “When we took the decision to invest in football, the Ebbsfleet and MyFootballClub opportunity came at the right time.

“During our five year association with ‘The Fleet’ we enjoyed the highs of the FA Trophy in 2008 and promotion in 2011 with the unfortunate low of relegation in 2010.

“We would like to wish everyone connected with Ebbsfleet United all the very best for the future and hope the club continue to go from strength to strength”.

9gc Ltd is the parent company for the 9gc Group of Companies but also acts as a business consultancy for organisations looking for innovative new ways of growing their business or consolidating their current working practices. 

We are highly experienced in all commerical and administration aspects of business from financial management, sales strategies to improving your brand awareness.

Below are the various services 9gc Ltd can offer you and your business:-

Sports Business Consultancy

The 9gc Ltd sports business consultancy is aimed at assisting professional sports clubs in all aspects of their commercial operations.

Our consultants have an impressive 30 years collective experience in the sports market, having been involved in professional football and ice hockey at the highest levels.

Prior to launching this specific service we have already enjoyed working relationships notably with the Newcastle Vipers Ice Hockey Club (British Elite League), Morzine-Avoriaz Ice Hockey Club (French Ligue Magnus), Northern Stars Ice Hockey Club (English National League), Sheffield Steelers Ice Hockey Club (British Elite League) and Slough Jets Ice Hockey Club (English Premier League).

Revenue generation and constant promotion is imperative to every sporting organisation in the highly competitive market where various entertainment businesses are vying for their customers ‘disposable income’.

Through our vast expertise of the sports market, our services are designed to help your business grow and development, while providing the important services that are also affordable to you.

We provide a very personal and professional service, operating with total discretion and allowing you the important input and interaction to achieve your businesses goal and objectives.

What can 9gc Ltd do for you?

- Commercial sales strategy (i.e. improving ticket sales, promotional offers, sponsorship sourcing)

- Financial management (i.e. cash flow budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, management accounting)

- Networking management (i.e. networking events, relationship management with corporate partners)

- Administration ( i.e. player and staff contract negotiation, player registration documentation)

- Club website development and management

- Generate media releases

- Social media management and strategy

- Website content preparation

- Email Marketing

- Merchandising

 If you would like to discuss how 9gc Ltd can assist your sporting organisation, please feel free to contact Gareth Chalmers on +44 (0) 773 684 6087 or email: gareth.chalmers@9gc.co.uk.

Local children’s charity The Children’s Foundation has thanked Legends Ice Hockey, after they were awarded a cheque for £10,000 following a fierce Tyne and Wear derby.

Ex-Whitley Warriors and Durham Wasps players travelled from all over Europe and North America for the charity match at Whitley Bay Ice Rink – which was won 5-2 by the victorious Durham Wasps.

Frank Killen, one of the directors of Legends Hockey, said: “A few of the ex-players thought it would be a good idea to form a Legends association. We are aiming to regularly hold charity dinners, golf days and ice hockey games to raise money for good causes.

“We were delighted to hand over the £10,000 to The Children’s Foundation – the match has been a fantastic day out for all the family so it’s an added bonus that children in the region will benefit – we’ll definitely be doing more to support this worthwhile charity.”

Frank will also be signing up Legends to run the Great North Run for The Children’s Foundation in September. To donate, text FRNK63 with the amount £1 -£10 to 70070.

Libby Nolan, fundraising manager for the charity, said: “It is fantastic to have the support of the Legends. The amount raised is absolutely brilliant and will make a real difference to the lives of children across the North East.”

The charity’s three main aims are to support medical research into childhood illnesses and conditions; support NHS services for children and young people and create partnership programmes that will address key health and lifestyle issues affecting young people including mental health, disability and safety.

In the past year, the charity has directly improved the lives of more than 37,000 children across the North East. Each year its projects are having a wider reach and impact on services and treatment for children across the whole of the UK.