Yorkshire announce £1.2 million loss

Yorkshire have made a loss of £1.2million for the financial year, the club has announced. The loss stemmed from Headingley being overlooked as one of the Ashes Tests venues in 2005, as well as the late conclusion of the ground deal, which was finally sorted in December.

Despite the shortfall, the club are confident that they will be able to turn in a profit of around £300,000 for the current year, owing to buying the ground, and hosting a Test. A statement on the club's website said: "The situation is much healthier now - thanks to the ground purchase and agreement with the ECB to stage international matches at Headingley until 2019."

But the finance director Brian Bouttell admitted that after buying Headingley, finances would be tight at Yorkshire for some time to come. Bouttell said: "As with any first-time mortgage, things will be tight for the first five years, reasonable for the next five and then much easier."

In order to ease the financial burden, Yorkshire plan to hold a ground appeal, which they hope could bring in £3million, and to hold a club benefit, which they believe could raise £1million.