Yorkshire post record profit

Yorkshire have announced a record pre-tax profit of almost £700,000 for the financial year.

At a time of uncertainty in both English domestic cricket, with the Champions League Twenty20 threatening to clash with the end of next season, and the wider UK economy, it marks the fourth consecutive year that Yorkshire have made a profit.

The fourth Ashes Test in 2009, held at Headingley, delivered the bulk of the profits but Yorkshire did achieve growth in other income areas such as a 13% increase in commercial revenue and a 22% rise in subscriptions.

It amounted to a record turnover of £8.4 million and a 90% increase in surplus on the same period last year. Stewart Regan, the Yorkshire chief executive, said: "The last 12 months have seen the busiest period of activity since I joined the club some four years ago.

"We have held two major international cricket events, including the fourth Ashes Test, we have commenced construction of the Carnegie Pavilion in partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University, we have completely relaid the outfield and installed new drainage and irrigation systems, as well as installing the largest replay screen in professional sport.

"This has meant some very long working hours for all of the staff here at the club and I am very proud of each and every one of them for their contribution to another fantastic trading performance."

Yorkshire won't host an England Test match in 2010 but will instead see Pakistan play a 'home' game against Australia at Headingley. It promises to be a lively and lucrative affair for the club as they seek to shield themselves from financial difficulty that has hit other counties.