Expectations of Scottish football fans for success on the pitch may be undermined as boardroom finances are hit by the economic downturn, a report warns today.

Accountant and business adviser PKF's annual survey of football club finance directors found Clydesdale Bank Premier League teams reported ticket sales, merchandising and corporate entertainment had all been affected by the current financial climate.

Ticket revenue remained one of the three main sources of income for SPL teams, along with sponsorship and TV and radio deals.

And half of the clubs questioned from the Scottish top flight said their sponsorship revenue had not increased - compared with just 11% of clubs in the rich haven of England's Barclays Premier League.

In addition, a quarter of SPL clubs said they had been under more pressure from the bank in the last year.

This figure is, however, lower than south of the border, with 44% of English top-flight teams saying they were in this position.

Three-quarters of SPL clubs and 78% of teams in England's top division complained that they thought it was getting harder for teams to find funding.

Report author and PKF director Charles Barnett said: "This year's survey shows clear signs that the credit crunch and the overall economic downturn is starting to have an impact on Scotland's football teams.

"SPL teams, in line with their English counterparts, are stating that the credit crunch has had an impact on ticket sales, merchandising and corporate entertaining."

He added: "Football is part of the entertainment industry and is also an area where high levels of disposable income keep it afloat.

"There are clear indications in the wider economy that belts are being tightened and people are looking around for bargains."

And he warned: "There is a potential collision ahead as teams attempt to maintain performance amid falling revenues and pressure from lenders to manage debt."

SPL clubs were more confident about their financial position than any of the clubs in the English leagues. Some 75% of SPL clubs said they were healthy financially while only 22% of English Premier League and Championship clubs felt the same way.

Some 75% of SPL clubs said they would expect a pre-tax profit while only 56% of English Premier League clubs expecting to be in the black.

Financial prudence among SPL clubs was echoed in the fact that none of them had increased their debt burden with banks - while 56% of their English counterparts said they had. Lower down the leagues, 22% of English Championship clubs and 25% of English Division 1 clubs said they had increased bank debt.

None of the Scottish top flight expected to use more than 90% of their bank facility during the coming year while 89% of English Premier League clubs expected to make use of the extra debt facility.

Philip Long, head of corporate recovery with PKF, said of the SPL's lack of reliance on bank debt: "This may be because of the comparatively smaller media deals that these clubs have made in the past, which has meant that they have had to tighten their belts to survive and progress.

"Given the current economic position, this may be something that English Premier League clubs will have to face over the coming years as their present media deals come up for renewal and the credit crunch starts to bite.

"In the long run it may be a reality check which will ensure the long-term future of the game itself, both as a product and as the spectacle that we all love."

The ability to attract sponsorship and the loss of income due to relegation were the biggest concerns for SPL clubs over the next 12 months, with 50% saying they were both the biggest issues. By contrast, the top two divisions in England were more concerned about the inflexibility of players' salaries with 67% raising that as the biggest concern.

A total of 37 football club finance directors were questioned for the Under Pressure report, including clubs in the SPL, Scottish First Division, English Premier League, English Football League Championship and Football Leagues 1 and 2.