Another profiit for Notts

Nottinghamshire have announced a profit of £71,215 - a slight increase on the 2003 figure of £71,082. Turnover rose by 9.5% from £4.86m to £5.33m in the year Notts won Division Two of the Frizzell County Championship and also gained promotion in the Totesport League.

During the year Nottinghamshire also completed the first phase of the redevelopment of the Trent Bridge pavilion, and successfully staged two one-day internationals and a Test match.

David Collier, the Nottinghamshire chief executive who is leaving shortly to take over at the ECB, said: "We are pleased to report results which were above budget for 2004. During the year the Club has invested more than £500,000 in enhancing the facilities at Trent Bridge and has significantly strengthened our playing staff resulting in a 'double promotion' season.

"It is particularly pleasing to record a 15% increase in membership income and a 24% increase in gate receipts, despite our floodlit totesport League match having been abandoned without a ball being bowled.

"Commercial income from sponsorship and ground advertising has risen by 18% and hospitality and catering income by 6%, which was an outstanding achievement by our commercial department during a year in which cricket competed for this source of revenue with the Athens Olympics and Euro 2004.

"Net income from the ECB has fallen from £901,366 to £756,937 and now represents less than 15% of the club¹s total turnover.

"The 30% increase in policing and stewarding costs at Trent Bridge resulted from a comprehensive training programme for all stewards which has made Trent Bridge one of the best-stewarded and policed grounds in world cricket.

Notts have named Lisa Pursehouse as Acting Chief Executive with effect from January 1, 2005, when Collier moves to the ECB. She is currently the sales and marketing manager at Trent Bridge, was responsible for the delivery of the inaugural Twenty20 Finals Day at Trent Bridge in 2003, and is widely respected as one of the leading commercial managers in English cricket.

Notts expect to name their new chief executive shortly before the start of the 2005 season. Barry Pailing, the chairman, explained: "We have already interviewed a short-list of candidates for the position. The quality of applicants reflects the esteem in which we are held in world cricket, and I am confident that we shall announce an appointment of the highest calibre before the start of the season."