Goals cheers after annual sales shoot up
FIVE-a-side football pitch operator Goals Soccer Centres posted a seven per cent rise in profits yesterday, and said it planned to open seven new arenas this year.
Sales for 2009 were up 10 per cent at £26m while profits jumped to £8.8m.
The company said it was set to open the seven UK centres in 2010 and its first US operation in Los Angeles in time for the World Cup in 2010.
Managing director Keith Rogers said: “The recession does not seem to have affected us, people are still getting out there to play. People enjoy a game after work and the figures suggest players are turning to five-aside rather than 11-a-side which is a lot more hassle to organise.
“We are confident that we will see increased revenue from both corporate events and birthday parties during this World Cup year, with little disturbance to our core football activity due to the timing of key matches.”