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or the first time since 1996, Carlton Football club is debt free.

The club’s board has ratified a management recommendation, with their remaining $4 million of historical debt to be wiped out immediately.

Carlton also informed the AFL that they will no longer need to be financially assisted in the competition.

The removal of their longstanding debt was one of the club’s 10 targets within their strategic plan, implemented in 2019.

This comes as the Melbourne-based AFL club announce that they have reached another all-time club membership record, with over 67,000 members signed on prior to the 2021 season.

Carlton CEO, Cain Liddle, said that the way in which the club and its fans have handled themselves during this period has been commendable.

“To clear almost $7 million of debt in just three years is an incredible effort by our Board, made even more incredible when you consider the challenges of 2020. It’s been a total unified club effort, by our board, our players, our staff, our members and our commercial partners and sponsors. A totally united club,” Liddle said.

“We remain well on track to hit 80,000 members in 2021, which represents approximately 50 per cent growth in three years and keeps us on track to hit our ambitious strategic target of 100,000 members by 2023. We just couldn’t be more appreciative of our members who have stuck with us and re-signed for 2021, particularly during what has been an especially challenging period for so many,” he said.

The club now plans to use its promising financial position to continue to invest into its Ikon Park Master Plan redevelopment, the Carlton College of Sport, and Carlton IN Business.