FULHAM, who entertain Wanderers in a crucial Premiership clash at Craven Cottage, plunged deep into the red last year, making a loss of £23.3 million after its wage bill soared, figures showed today.

Figures filed by the group, controlled by Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed, showed that staff costs soared from to £19.3 million for the year to June 30 - more than £8 million higher than the previous year.

The costs meant pre-tax losses for the period widened to £23.3 million - nearly double the £13.9 million recorded the previous year.

It was thought to be the biggest loss ever recorded by a British football club, one City analyst said today.

The soaring wage bill was also prior to the group splashing out more than £30 million on six players, including Steve Marlet from Olympique Lyonnais, Edwin Van Der Sar from Juventus and Jon Harley from Chelsea.

Fulham said its investment meant it was currently in 15th position in its first season in the Premier League, and had reached the semi finals of the FA Cup for the first time in 27 years.

In a statement reviewing the past year, Fulham said: "The season 2000/2001 was to prove a historic one for Fulham Football Club as new manager Jean Tigana led the team to the First Division championship thus securing promotion to the Premier League.

"Off the field the company continued to develop the business both commercially and with regard to the facilities and infrastructure required to enable it to remain in the Premier League and continue in its vision of becoming one of England's top football clubs."

Other football clubs which have recently reported losses include Newcastle United, which made a half year loss of £1.4 million, but a massive £19 million loss in 2000.

Sheffield United's last full year results showed a loss of £367,000, while Tottenham Hotspur's loss was £3.5 million and Leeds United reported a £7.6 million loss.

Fulham is owned by Fulham Leisure Holdings, a company incorporated in the British Virgin Isles, which is under the control of Mohamed Al Fayed and his family. The group's results were filed with Companies House under Fulham Football Leisure Limited.