Five-a-side football firm Goals Soccer Centres chases US expansion after World Cup boosts interest in game
Goals Soccer Centres has scored a 10 per cent rise in full year pre-tax profits to £10.6m as its US business proved a hit.
The five-a-side football pitch operator said like-for-like sales were up 13 per cent at its Los Angeles site, helping total sales rise by three per cent to £34.7m.
The firm plans to open up to two more US centres this year after the World Cup led to a spike in participation in the second half of 2014. Goals has 44 centres in the UK and a spokesman said there is scope for about 100 more after the business raised £11.4m to fund expansion last year.
Managing director Keith Rodgers said: “Our new site pipeline continues to develop in both the UK and the US. We are confident in making further progress in the current year and delivering attractive long-term returns for our shareholders.”
According to the company, it also hopes to cash in on a recently launched mobile app that allows football pitches to be booked more conveniently online.