Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) (A company limited by Guarantee)
REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
31 August 2025
Company Registration No. 04875877 Registered Charity No. 1104006
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) CONTENTS
| TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT | 1 |
|---|---|
| STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL | |
| STATEMENTS | 6 |
| INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STOKE CITY FOUNDATION | 7 |
| STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE | |
| ACCOUNT) | 11 |
| BALANCE SHEET | 12 |
| STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS | 13 |
| ACCOUNTING POLICIES | 14 |
| NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS | 17 |
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
| REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE | DETAILS |
|---|---|
| REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER | 1104006 |
| COMPANY REGISTRATION NUMBER | 04875877 |
| COMPANY SECRETARY | D Heath |
| TRUSTEES/DIRECTORS | JF Coates |
| G Mellor | |
| D Smith | |
| C Iwelumo | |
| S King | |
| J Morris (MBE) | |
| D Heath (appointed 23 May 2025) | |
| AUDITOR | RSM UK Audit LLP |
| Chartered Accountants | |
| Festival Way | |
| Stoke on Trent | |
| Staffordshire | |
| ST1 5BB | |
| BANKERS | Barclays Bank plc |
| 118 High Street | |
| Newcastle-under-Lyme | |
| Staffordshire | |
| ST5 1PT | |
| REGISTERED OFFICE | bet365 Stadium |
| Stanley Matthews Way | |
| Stoke on Trent | |
| Staffordshire | |
| England | |
| ST4 4EG |
Page 1
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
Trustees’ Annual Report
The Report and Financial Statements, which relate to the year ended 31 August 2025, are presented by the Trustees of Stoke City Foundation (“the Foundation”), who are also Directors of the Charitable Company for the purposes of charity law. The Trust changed its name from Stoke City Community Trust to Stoke City Foundation on 12 September 2025.
Structure, Governance and Management
Stoke City Foundation is a company limited by guarantee and does not have any share capital. It is governed by the Memorandum and Articles of Association dated 18 July 2014 and became a registered charity on 28 May 2004.
A review system is in place to monitor the income, expenditure and performance of the Trust. This ensures that appropriate management information is produced on a regular basis including an annual budget. The budget is approved by the Trustees, who also meet regularly to consider the financial results and identify any management risks.
Key management personnel remuneration is determined by the Trustees.
Appointment of Trustees
The skill set of the board of Trustees is reviewed and compared to the requirements of the charity to achieve its objectives. Where there are gaps, the Trustees seek to make appropriate appointments of individuals with the required skills and experiences by an open recruitment process.
Trustee induction and training
All new Trustees receive an induction meeting with the Chair of Trustees and then spend time with the charity’s management team, observing how the charity’s objectives can be achieved. Should any additional specialised training be required then appropriate training arrangements are in place.
Risk management process
The Trustees review the major risks to which the charity is exposed - in particular, those relating to the operations and finances - and are satisfied that systems and procedures are in place to mitigate any exposure. The principal risk identified by the Trustees is Safeguarding.
This is managed via the Risk Framework review process.
In addition, procedures have been put in place to ensure compliance with health and safety legislation for staff and all those who participate in the Trust’s activities. A Safeguarding Working Group ensures that all regulations are adhered to with regard to contact with children and vulnerable adults.
Internal Controls
The internal control system ensures that income, expenditure and performance of the Trust is carefully monitored and is designed to provide reasonable assurances against material misstatement and loss, including:
An Annual Budget approved by the Trustees Regular consideration of financial results *Identification and management of risks
The Trustees have given due consideration to the Charity Commission published guidance on the operation of the Public Benefit requirement.
Page 2
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
Objectives and Activities
Stoke City Foundation’s objectives are to promote any charitable purpose for the general benefit of the community and in particular those living and working across North Staffordshire, South Cheshire and the surrounding areas.
The Trust uses the power and passion associated with Stoke City Football Club to make a positive difference to the health, wellbeing and life outcomes of participants who engage in its programmes and current activities. All sessions provide a platform to reduce barriers to participation whilst promoting equality, diversity and inclusion within the community.
The Trust’s projects aim to tackle social issues including mental health, homelessness, poverty and environmental. It also seeks, to support people via sports provision, competitions, general wellbeing activities, weight management, work ready & employment sessions and community based diversionary activities, as well as targeted interventions including mentoring, poor school behaviour, criminal exploitation, bereavement and trauma.
The Trust believes that its influence and reach will allow people to make a positive difference to their health, wellbeing and life outcomes.
The Trustees have considered the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit, in the interests of social welfare and life improvement, and consider its main activities to further this are the provision of sporting opportunities to such persons who have need for them, without discrimination.
Achievements and Performance
The Trust’s main achievements are based upon its people, partnerships and its impact. Its performance is based upon its ability to continue to deliver high quality services and interventions to the communities of North Staffordshire, with the aims of helping people realise their potential, influencing positive change and providing support to those in need.
Delivered Services
Throughout the year the Trust delivered a variety of interventions and services that included:
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Stoke Memories (Dementia Programme)
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Walking Football
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A Game of Two Halves
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Chair based exercise sessions
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Women’s Football
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Active Through Football Project
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Aiming High Activities
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Ability Counts
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Adult/Young Carers Contract
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Stroke Well-Being & Rehab
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Pan-Disability (Project Indi)
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Stoke Social
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Premier League Primary Stars
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Premier League Inspires
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Youth Employment and Skills (YES) Fund
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Post 16 Football & Education Academy
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The Foundation Degree in Community Football Coaching and Development
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Aiming High
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Premier League Kicks
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PL Change makers
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Holiday & Food (HAF)
Page 3
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
• Safer Streets
Achievements and Performance (continued)
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SPACE
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Soccer Schools
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International Soccer Schools
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Regional Talent Club (Girls)
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Wildcats (Girls)
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Advanced Training & Development Centre
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Asylum Seeker – Refugee Football Programme
By successfully delivering the above activities, the Foundation has benefited the Community and in particular for those living and working across North Staffordshire, South Cheshire and the surrounding areas.
Thank You for Your Support
Whilst dependent upon the continuing partnership and support of Stoke City Football Club and the bet365 Group, Stoke City Foundation also relies heavily on the support of many partners and organisations in order to continue to develop its three priority areas. The Trust’s principal partners are the Premier League Charitable Fund, the Premier League, Professional Footballers’ Association, the English Football League, English Football League Trust, Staffordshire County Council, Staffordshire Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, City of Stoke-on Trent Council and the Staffordshire Football Association.
The Board of Trustees is indebted once again to all those who have made a significant contribution to the Trust’s progress over the past 12 months, and they look forward to working with those and new partners again in 2025/26.
The Trustees would like to thank the staff in the Foundation for their dedication and hard work throughout another successful period.
Financial Review
Detail of income and expenditure is provided in the Notes to the Financial Statements and is summarised below:
| Description Restricted Income: Unrestricted Income: Total Income: Total Resources Expended: Restricted Reserves: Unrestricted Reserves: Total Reserves: |
2025 (£’000) 716 1,007 1,723 1,723 96 1,217 1,313 |
2024 (£’000) |
|---|---|---|
1,269 793 2,062 2,017 150 1,164 1,314 |
Page 4
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) TRUSTEES’ ANNUAL REPORT
Financial Review (Continued)
The Trustees have examined the charity’s requirements for reserves in the light of the main risks to the organisation. It has established a policy whereby unrestricted funds, not committed or invested in tangible fixed assets held by the charity (which equal free reserves), should be no less than 12 months of the unrestricted staff employment expenditure of the charity. Free reserves at 31 August 2025 were £1,218k (2024: £1,164k). These free reserves represent 20 months of unrestricted staff employment costs. In the current economic climate the Trustees consider it prudent to keep the free reserves at this level but will review the policy should there be a strong commercial or operational reason to do so.
Statement as to disclosure of information to Auditors
The Trustees present on the date of approval of these financial statements have confirmed, as far as they are aware, that there is no relevant audit information of which the auditors are unaware. Each trustee has confirmed that they have taken all steps that they ought to have taken as trustees in order to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that it has been communicated to the auditor.
Auditor
RSM UK Audit LLP, Chartered Accountants, were appointed auditors by the company at 28 September 2010. Pursuant to section 489 of the Companies Act 2006, a resolution to reappoint the auditors will be proposed at the next Trustees’ meeting.
This report has been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies entitled to the small companies’ exemption.
Approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
John Coates
Director and Trustee
Date: 25/02/26
Page 5
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES’ RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE PREPARATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The Trustees (who are also the directors of Stoke City Foundation (a company limited by guarantee for the purposes of company law)) are responsible for preparing the Trustees’ Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial period which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company, of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure of the charitable company, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
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select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
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observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;
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make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
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state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements; and
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prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records that disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Page 6
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STOKE CITY FOUNDATION (FORMERLY STOKE CITY COMMUNITY TRUST)
Opinion
We have audited the financial statements of Stoke City Foundation (the ‘charitable company’) for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities (including the Summary Income and Expenditure Account), the Balance Sheet, the Statement of Cash Flows and notes to the financial statements, including significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards, including FRS 102 “The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland” (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
In our opinion the financial statements:
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give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company’s affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;
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have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice; and
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have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
Basis for opinion
We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC’s Ethical Standard and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.
Conclusions relating to going concern
In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees’ 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 charitable 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 trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.
Other information
The other information comprises the information included in the Trustees’ Annual Report other than the financial statements and our auditor’s report thereon. The trustees are responsible for the other information contained within the Trustees’ 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.
Page 7
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STOKE CITY FOUNDATION (FORMERLY STOKE CITY COMMUNITY TRUST)
We have nothing to report in this regard.
Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006
In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:
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the information given in the Trustees’ Report, which includes the Directors’ Report prepared for the purposes of company law, for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and
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the Directors’ Report included within the Trustees’ Report has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements .
Matters on which we are required to report by exception
In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Directors’ Report included within the Trustees’ Report.
We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:
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adequate accounting records have not been kept, or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or
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the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or
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certain disclosures of trustees’ remuneration specified by law are not made; or
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we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit; or
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the Trustees were not entitled to prepare the financial statements in accordance with the small companies’ regime and take advantage of the small companies exemption from the requirement to prepare a Strategic Report or in preparing the Trustees’ Report.
Responsibilities of trustees
As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees’ responsibilities set out on page 6, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.
In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.
Auditor’s responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements
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 auditor’s 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 financial statements.
Page 8
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STOKE CITY FOUNDATION (FORMERLY STOKE CITY COMMUNITY TRUST)
The extent to which the audit was considered capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud
Irregularities are instances of non-compliance with laws and regulations. The objectives of our audit are to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding compliance with laws and regulations that have a direct effect on the determination of material amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, to perform audit procedures to help identify instances of non-compliance with other laws and regulations that may have a material effect on the financial statements, and to respond appropriately to identified or suspected non-compliance with laws and regulations identified during the audit.
In relation to fraud, the objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risk of material misstatement of the financial statements due to fraud, to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of material misstatement due to fraud through designing and implementing appropriate responses and to respond appropriately to fraud or suspected fraud identified during the audit.
However, it is the primary responsibility of management, with the oversight of those charged with governance, to ensure that the entity's operations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations and for the prevention and detection of fraud.
In identifying and assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud, the audit engagement team:
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obtained an understanding of the nature of the sector, including the legal and regulatory frameworks that the charitable company operates in and how the charitable company is complying with the legal and regulatory frameworks;
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inquired of management, and those charged with governance, about their own identification and assessment of the risks of irregularities, including any known actual, suspected or alleged instances of fraud;
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discussed matters about non-compliance with laws and regulations and how fraud might occur including assessment of how and where the financial statements may be susceptible to fraud.
As a result of these procedures we consider the most significant laws and regulations that have a direct impact on the financial statements are FRS 102, Charities SORP (FRS 102), Companies Act 2006, Charities Act 2011, the charitable company’s governing document, tax legislation and Charities (Protection and Social Investment) Act 2016. We performed audit procedures to detect non-compliances which may have a material impact on the financial statements which included reviewing the financial statements including the Trustees’ Report and remaining alert to new or unusual transactions which may not be in accordance with the governing documents.
The most significant laws and regulations that have an indirect impact on the financial statements are those in relation to Safeguarding and Health and Safety. We performed audit procedures to inquire of management and those charged with governance whether the charitable company is in compliance with these law and regulations and inspected correspondence with regulatory authorities.
The audit engagement team identified the risk of management override of controls as the area 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, evaluating the business rationale in relation to significant, unusual transactions and transactions entered into outside the normal course of business and challenging judgments and estimates made by management.
A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council’s website at http://www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our auditor’s report.
Page 9
INDEPENDENT AUDITOR'S REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF STOKE CITY FOUNDATION (FORMERLY STOKE CITY COMMUNITY TRUST)
Use of our report
This report is made solely to the charitable 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 charitable company’s members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditor’s 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 charitable company and the charitable company’s members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.
Anna Spencer-Gray
ANNA SPENCER-GRAY (Senior Statutory Auditor) For and on behalf of RSM UK AUDIT LLP, Statutory Auditor Chartered Accountants Festival Way Stoke on Trent Staffordshire ST1 5BB
26/02/26
Page 10
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Note | Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funds | funds | funds | funds | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | ||||
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| INCOME | |||||
| Donations and legacies | 1 | 56,978 | - | 56,978 | 192,171 |
| Charitable activities | 2 | 833,918 | 715,502 | 1,549,420 | 1,741,629 |
| Other trading activities | 71,470 | - | 71,470 | 77,972 | |
| Investment income | 44,828 | - | 44,828 |
50,580 | |
| TOTAL INCOME | 1,007,194 | 715,502 | 1,722,696 |
2,062,352 | |
| EXPENDITURE | |||||
| Charitable activities | 3 | (953,181) | (770,281) | (1,723,462) |
(2,016,867) |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENSE) BEFORE | 54,013 | (54,779) | (766) | 45,485 | |
| TRANSFERS | |||||
| TRANSFERS BETWEEN FUNDS | 11 | - | - | - |
- |
| NET INCOME/(EXPENSE) | 54,013 | (54,779) | (766) | 45,485 | |
| Reconciliation of funds | |||||
| Total funds brought forward | 11/12 | 1,163,546 | 150,456 | 1,314,002 |
1,268,517 |
| TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD | 11/12 | 1,217,559 | 95,677 | 1,313,236 | 1,314,002 |
All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
Page 11
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) BALANCE SHEET
at 31 August 2025
| Note | 2025 | 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| FIXED ASSETS | |||||
| Tangible assets | 6 | - | - | ||
| CURRENT ASSETS | |||||
| Debtors due within the year | 7 | 80,862 | 217,253 | ||
| Cash at bank and in hand | 1,403,260 | 1,304,857 |
|||
| TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS | 1,484,122 | 1,522,110 | |||
| 8 | |||||
| CREDITORS: Amounts falling due | |||||
| within one year | (170,886) | (208,108) | |||
| ______ | ______ | ||||
| NET CURRENT ASSETS | 1,313,236 | 1,314,002 | |||
| NET ASSETS | 1,313,236 | 1,314,002 | |||
| THE FUNDS OF THE CHARITY | |||||
| Unrestricted funds | 11 | 1,217,559 | 1,163,546 | ||
| Restricted funds | 11 | 95,677 | 150,456 | ||
| TOTAL CHARITY FUNDS | 12 | 1,313,236 | 1,314,002 |
These financial statements are prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to companies subject to the small companies’ regime.
The financial statements on pages 11 to 23 were approved by the board of trustees and authorised for issue on and were signed on its behalf by: 25/02/26
John Coates Director and Trustee
Company Registration No. 04875877 Registered Charity No.1104006
Page 12
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS for the year ended 31 August 2025
| Note NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES 10 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Investment income Net cash used in investing activities CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS IN THE PERIOD Cash and cash equivalent at the beginning of the year Total cash and cash equivalent at the end of the year Represented by: Cash at bank |
2025 £ 53,575 44,828 _ 44,828 _ 98.403 1,304,857 ___ 1,403,260 ___ 1,403,260 ___ |
2024 £ 90,730 50,580 ___ |
|---|---|---|
| 50,580 ___ |
||
| 141,310 1,163,547 ___ |
||
| 1,304,857 ___ |
||
1,304,857 ___ |
Page 13
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) ACCOUNTING POLICIES at 31 August 2025
TRUST INFORMATION
Stoke City Foundation is an incorporated charitable Trust (charity number 1104006) limited by guarantee registered in England (company number 04875877). The Trust’s address is bet365 Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England ST4 4EG.
The following accounting policies have been applied consistently in dealing with items which are considered material in relation to the charity’s financial statements.
BASIS OF PREPARATION
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2018) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Stoke City Foundation meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy notes. The financial statements are prepared in sterling which is the functional currency of the Trust. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £.
GOING CONCERN
As is normal for all charities, the charity is dependent upon income streams such as grant monies which may not reoccur. The Trustees have reviewed the financial forecasts and believe there are adequate resources which will enable the trust to meet its liabilities for at least one year from the date the financial statements are signed. For this reason, the Trustees have adopted the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements.
INCOME RECOGNITION
The values of all resources accruing to the charitable company are recorded in the Statement of Financial Activities as soon as it is legally entitled to the income and the amount can be quantified with reasonable accuracy. This is dependent on an actual receipt or enforceable right to receipt, a reasonable certainty of receipt and whether the monetary value can be sufficiently and reliably measured. Where terms and conditions relating to income have not been met or uncertainty exists as to whether the charity can meet any terms or conditions otherwise within its control, income is not recognised but is deferred as a liability until it is probable that the terms or conditions imposed can be met.
Any grant that is subject to performance-related conditions received in advance of delivering the services required by that condition or is subject to unmet conditions wholly outside the control of the recipient charity, is accounted for as a liability and shown on the balance sheet as deferred income. Deferred income is released to income in the reporting period in which the performance-related or other conditions that limit recognition are met.
Where time related conditions are imposed or implied by a funder, then the income is apportioned to the time periods concerned and, where applicable, is accounted for as a liability and shown on the balance sheet as deferred income. When grants are received in advance of the expenditure on the activity funded by them, but there are no specific time related conditions, then the income is not deferred.
Page 14
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) ACCOUNTING POLICIES at 31 August 2025
EXPENDITURE RECOGNITION
All expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and includes attributable VAT which cannot be recovered. Expenditure has been classified under the appropriate heading but where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings (support costs); they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of the resources. Support costs comprise all services supplied centrally, and include office staff and overhead expenses.
Governance costs are those costs associated with the governance arrangements of the charity which relate to its general running. These include audit, insurance costs, and legal advice for trustees and costs associated with constitutional and statutory requirements such as the costs of trustee meetings and preparing the statutory financial statements, plus a share of support costs.
All costs are allocated between the expenditure categories of the statement of financial activities on a basis designed to reflect the use of the resource. Costs relating to a particular activity are allocated directly.
DONATED SERVICES AND GIFTS IN KIND
The value of donated services and gifts in kind provided to the charity by Stoke City Football Club are disclosed at their open market value in the period in which they are receivable where the benefit to the charity can be reliably measured and are reported in the related party note to the financial statements.
TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
Tangible fixed assets are capitalised at cost and capital expenditure over a value of £500 is capitalised.
Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates to write off the cost, less the estimated residual value of the assets, over their expected useful economic lives as follows:
Motor vehicles - 25% straight line Office equipment - 20% straight line Plant and machinery - 33.3% straight line
A full year of depreciation is charged in the period of acquisition and none in the period of disposal.
FUND STRUCTURE
Unrestricted funds
General funds are unrestricted funds available to the charity for use at the discretion of the trustees in furtherance of the general charitable objectives of the charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Restricted funds
Restricted funds are subject to restrictions imposed by the donor or by the specific terms of the appeal under which funds are raised. The restrictions are binding upon the charity.
FUND TRANSFER POLICY
At each year end it is the practice of the Trust to review all fund balances and to identify the restricted projects that have ended in that financial year.
It is the policy of the Trust that any restricted fund overspends will be transferred from the unrestricted (general) reserve.
If there are any restricted fund underspends on ceased projects then the related fund contract is referred to. If the contract states that any such surplus should be returned then the funder is contacted, informed of the surplus balance and their instruction is adhered to.
If however the contract does not stipulate that surplus funds should be returned and the reading of the contract permits the surplus to be kept then the surplus is transferred to the unrestricted (general) reserve.
Page 15
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) ACCOUNTING POLICIES at 31 August 2025
TAXATION
As a registered charity the Trust is exempt from tax on income and gains falling within Part 11 of the Corporation Taxes Act 2010 or Section 252 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992 to the extent that these are applied to these charitable objects.
FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The Trust only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
Cash at bank and in hand
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes cash and short term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
Creditors and provisions
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any trade discounts due.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND AREAS OF JUDGEMENT
Estimates and judgements are continually evaluated and are based on historical experience and other factors, including expectations of future events that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances.
Critical accounting estimates and assumptions
The Charity makes estimates and assumptions concerning the future. The resulting accounting estimates and assumptions will, by definition, seldom equal the related actual results. The Trust do not consider there to be any estimates and assumptions that have a significant risk of causing a material adjustment to the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities within the next financial year.
LEASES
All leases are operating leases and the annual rentals are charged to the profit and loss account on a straight line basis over the lease term.
Page 16
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at 31 August 2025
1 INCOME: DONATIONS AND LEGACIES
| Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | |
| Donations | 56,978 |
192,171 |
Income from donations in the prior year include donations totalling £104,000 from the Stoke City Lotteries following their closure on 31 October 2023.
2 INCOME: CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | 2025 | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Sports Participation | 765,418 | 551,024 | 1,316,442 | 1,412,780 |
| Education & Lifelong Learning | - | 164,478 | 164,478 | 243,529 |
| Core cost support | 68,500 | - | 68,500 |
85,320 |
| 833,918 | 715,502 | 1,549,420 | 1,741,629 |
£793,295 of income was attributed to restricted funds in 2024.
Other trading and investment income were unrestricted in 2024.
3 RESOURCES EXPENDED: CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES
| Direct costs £ Sports Participation 1,356,343 Education & Lifelong 209,328 Core support costs - Governance costs - 1,565,671 |
Support costs Total 2025 Total 2024 £ £ £ - 1,356,343 1,573,581 - 209,328 282,488 139,462 139,462 143,787 18,329 18,329 17,011 157,791 1,723,462 2,016,867 |
|---|---|
£870,324 of charitable activities costs were attributable to restricted funds in 2024.
Page 17
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at 31 August 2025
- 3 RESOURCES EXPENDED: CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES (continued)
a) Support costs allocation
The charity allocates its support costs to general activities unless it is appropriate to allocate them between the other charitable activities undertaken. The charitable activities are as listed above.
Support costs are allocated on a basis consistent with the use of resources as explained above below:
| Core support | Core support | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Consultant Fees | 25,920 | 26,220 | ||
| Salaries and social security costs | 99,629 | 80,732 | ||
| Pensions | 1,936 | 3,465 | ||
| Medical costs | 3,912 | 2,721 | ||
| Travelling and subsistence | 32 | 6,612 | ||
| Bank charges | 697 | 722 | ||
| Motor expenses | 5,618 | 4,231 | ||
| Legal expenses | 1,800 | - | ||
| Other expenses | 55,723 | 70,549 | ||
| Recharge | (55,805) |
(55,696) | ||
| 139,462 |
139,556 | |||
| b) | Governance costs |
Unrestricted | Unrestricted | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Professional fees | 18,329 |
17,011 | ||
| 4 | NET INCOMING RESOURCES FOR THE PERIOD | |||
| Net incoming resources for the period is stated after charging: | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| £ | £ | |||
| Auditor’s remuneration | 18,329 | 17,011 | ||
| Operating lease rentals: other | 18,612 | - |
Page 18
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at 31 August 2025
- 5 STAFF NUMBERS, COSTS AND KEY MANAGEMENT REMUNERATION
The average number of persons employed (excluding trustees) during the year was 44 (2024: 51).
In addition to the above, the charity employed an average of 11 casual staff during the year (2024: 32).
No emoluments or expenses were paid during the year to trustees (2024: £nil). Details of employee costs are as follows:
| 2025 | 2024 | |
|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | |
| Wages and salaries | 1,165,279 | 1,389,382 |
| Social security costs | 107,205 | 115,948 |
| Pension costs | 47,031 |
55,623 |
| 1,319,515 |
1,560,953 | |
| The number of higher paid employees was: | ||
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| No | No | |
| In the band £70,000 - £79,999 | - | 1 |
| In the band £80,000 - £89,999 | 1 |
- |
The number of higher paid employees was:
Stoke City Football Club runs a defined contribution pension scheme, which employees of Stoke City Foundation are eligible to join.
The key management personnel are the Trustees. The total remuneration of these key management personnel was £nil (2024: £nil).
Page 19
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at 31 August 2025
6 TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS
| Motor vehicles £ Office equipment £ Plant and machinery £ Cost At beginning of year 59,418 3,758 4,350 Disposals (34,278) - - At end of year 25,140 3,758 4,350 Depreciation At beginning of year (59,418) (3,758) (4,350) Disposals 34,278 - - At end of year (25,140) (3,758) (4,350) Net book value At 31 August 2025 - - - At 31 August 2024 - - - |
Total £ 67,526 (34,278) 33,248 (67,526) 34,278 (33,248) - - |
|---|---|
Fixed assets are held for direct charitable purposes.
7 DEBTORS: Amounts falling due within one year
| Trade debtors Prepayments and accrued income Amounts due from related undertakings |
2025 £ 58,767 20,907 1,188 80,862 |
2024 £ 117,329 97,531 2,393 217,253 |
|---|---|---|
Page 20
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at 31 August 2025
8 CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year
| CREDITORS: Amounts falling due within one year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Trade creditors Other taxes and social security Accruals and deferred income Amounts due to related undertakings |
2025 £ 14,956 20,252 39,211 96,467 170,886 |
2024 £ 13,429 29,340 46,858 118,481 |
| 208,108 |
9 COMPANY LIMITED BY GUARANTEE
Stoke City Foundation is a company limited by guarantee and accordingly does not have share capital. Every member of the charitable company undertakes to contribute such amount as may be required not exceeding £10 in the event of it being wound up while he or she is a member, or within one year after he or she ceases to be a member.
10 RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING RESULT TO CASH FLOW FROM/(TO) OPERATING ACTIVITIES
| Net (expenditure)/income Investment income Decrease in debtors (Decrease)/increase in creditors Net cash provided by operating activities |
2025 £ (766) (44,828) 136,391 (37,222) _ 53,575 _ |
2024 £ 45,485 (50,580) 56,436 39,389 _ 90,730 _ |
|---|---|---|
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Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at 31 August 2025
11 STATEMENT OF FUNDS
| At 1 | At 31 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | Income | Expenditure | Transfer of | August | |
| 2024 | resources | expended | funds | 2025 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds: | |||||
| General fund | 1,163,546 | 1,007,194 |
(953,181) | - |
1,217,559 |
| Restricted funds: | |||||
| Sports Participation | 11,734 | 551,024 | (560,953) | - | 1,805 |
| Education & Lifelong | 138,722 | 164,478 | (209,328) | - | 93,872 |
| Learning | |||||
| 150,456 | 715,502 |
(770,281) | - |
95,677 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 1,314,002 | 1,722,696 |
(1,723,462) | - |
1,313,236 |
| At 1 | At 31 | ||||
| September | Income | Expenditure | Transfer of | August | |
| 2023 | resources | expended | funds | 2024 | |
| £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | |
| Unrestricted funds: | |||||
| General fund | 1,041,032 | 1,269,057 |
(1,146,543) | - |
1,163,546 |
| Restricted funds: | |||||
| Sports Participation | 49,804 | 549,766 | (587,836) | - | 11,734 |
| Education & Lifelong | 177,681 | 243,529 | (282,488) | - | 138,722 |
| Learning | |||||
| 227,485 | 793,295 |
(870,324) | - |
150,456 | |
| TOTAL FUNDS | 1,268,517 | 2,062,352 | (2,016,867) | - | 1,314,002 |
Unrestricted funds
The general fund represents the unrestricted funds of the charity that are not designated for particular purposes.
Restricted funds
The restricted funds represent contracts to supply specific services under each of the above categories.
Page 22
Stoke City Foundation (formerly Stoke City Community Trust) NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS at 31 August 2025
12 ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS BETWEEN FUNDS
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| funds | funds | funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Debtors | 72,019 | 8,843 | 80,862 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 1,259,189 | 144,071 | 1,403,260 |
| Creditors | (113,649) | (57,237) |
(170,886) |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS AS AT 31 AUGUST 2025 | 1,217,559 | 95,677 |
1,313,236 |
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |
| funds | funds | funds | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| Debtors | 205,300 | 11,953 | 217,253 |
| Cash at bank and in hand | 1,093,712 | 211,145 | 1,304,857 |
| Creditors | (135,466) | (72,642) |
(208,108) |
| TOTAL NET ASSETS AS AT 31 AUGUST 2024 | 1,163,546 | 150,456 | 1,314,002 |
13 COMMITMENTS
Commitments under operating leases
The total future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases is as follows:
| Amounts due within one year Amounts due between one and five years |
2025 £000 20,304 1,692 |
2024 £000 - - |
|---|---|---|
14 RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Trustees consider that Stoke City Football Club Limited is a related party of the charitable company by virtue of significant influence. The charity receives significant financial support from the Football Club in respect of office space and other costs, and this Gift in Kind in respect of specific establishment costs, player and personnel time has been estimated at £350,507 (2024: £345,000), which has not been included within the SOFA. During the year there were sales of £32,386 (2024: £136,491) made to Stoke City Football Club Limited and at 31 August 2025 £1,188 (2024: £2,393) was owed. Certain specific, dedicated salary and other costs relating to the charity are recharged. These costs totalled £1,413,589 (2024: £1,754,232) and at 31 August 2025 £116,719 was owed to the Football Club (2024: £147,822).
Page 23