EFL Squad Cost Ratio
How much can Port Vale spend?
Under the EFL's Squad Cost Ratio rules, Port Vale can spend
around £3m on squad
costs - based on an estimated £6m of football
revenue and the 85% limit.
That puts them an estimated £1.9m over the limit on current figures.
Port Vale: the SCR breakdown
- Estimated revenue (football) estimated £6m
- SCR limit - 50% of revenue £3m
- Estimated squad cost estimated £4.9m
- Headroom −£1.9m
Restricted
- squad cost is 81.8% of revenue
What this means
On these estimates, Port Vale are spending well above what SCR allows. Closing that gap usually means selling players or growing revenue before they can strengthen further.
Note on this club's figures. Promoted from League Two 2024-25. 2023-24 loss £3.8m; 2024-25 (promotion season) loss £6.1m, total debt £17m (owner Carol/Kevin Shanahan loan ~£6.5m). Small company exemption limits public disclosure. Est. 2025-26 wages £94,500/wk (£4.91m/yr — 18th of 24 in L1). At est. £6m revenue, SCMP ratio ~82% — well over 50% threshold. Debt accumulation + operating losses create structural sustainability risk. Transfer embargo possible if SCMP breach persists. Sources: onevalefan.co.uk (2023-24 accounts analysis), daily-focus.co.uk (2024-25 promotion season loss), footballleagueworld.co.uk (promoted clubs wage comparison).
Source.
Source.
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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.
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