How much can Middlesbrough spend under SCR?

Middlesbrough has a guaranteed SCR spending limit of £27.4m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £32.2m. If the owner uses the full equity top-up, the ceiling rises to £42.4m.

What is Middlesbrough's SCR headroom?

Middlesbrough's estimated SCR headroom is −£4m — the difference between their guaranteed 85% limit of £27.4m and their estimated £31.4m squad cost. With the owner top-up, the max allowance rises to £42.4m.

EFL Squad Cost Ratio

How much can Middlesbrough spend?

Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Middlesbrough have a guaranteed spending limit of £27.4m — 85% of estimated football revenue of £32.2m. Against their estimated squad cost that is £4m short. If the owner injects the maximum top-up (£15m/season), the ceiling rises to £42.4m.

Middlesbrough: the SCR breakdown

Estimated revenue (football) reported £32.2m
85% SCR limit (no owner top-up) £27.4m
Estimated squad cost reported £31.4m
Headroom vs 85% limit −£4m
+ Max owner equity top-up (if used) £15m
Max spending allowance (with top-up) £42.4m
Headroom vs max allowance +£11m

Restricted - squad cost is 97.5% of revenue

What this means

On these estimates, Middlesbrough are spending well above what SCR allows. Closing that gap usually means selling players or growing revenue before they can strengthen further.

Old rules vs new: PSR compared to SCR

Under the old PSR system, clubs were judged on total losses over three years, not on what they spent on the squad as a share of revenue. Here's how Middlesbrough's position compares under both sets of rules.

Old PSR (loss-based)	New SCR (revenue-based)
3-year losses: −£38.4m reported Limit: £39m Headroom: +£600k 2021/22–2023/24 (Championship)	Squad cost: £31.4m 85% limit: £27.4m · Max (with top-up): £42.4m Headroom: −£4m Based on £32.2m revenue

Squeaked under the £39m limit with £38.4m in losses - only £600k of headroom. Losses of £20m, £6.4m and £12m. Owner Steve Gibson's £149m debt-to-equity conversion improved the PSR position by reclassifying debt as equity, which is an allowable adjustment under the rules.

Note on this club's figures. 2023/24 revenue £32.2m (up 13% from £28.6m). Wages £31.4m. Owner Steve Gibson converted £149m debt to equity. Sources: Swiss Ramble, gazettelive.co.uk, Companies House.
Source.

Compare Middlesbrough with another club

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← All Championship clubs ranked by SCR headroom

Figures are illustrative estimates from published accounts and public reporting, not official SCR submissions. SCR uses adjusted football revenue, which differs from headline turnover. Last reviewed 2026-05-17. Full rules explainer →