Bath reveal record £357,000 loss

Bath rugby club have announced record losses of £357,000 for last season.

The Premiership outfit have revealed they expect that to more than double to about £750,000 next year as they struggle to keep salaries down.

Wages account for 69% of the club's turnover and they are reliant on owner Andrew Brownsword to keep them afloat.

A statement says: "We are grateful to Mr Brownsword for meeting these losses, but it is unreasonable to expect him to do so in the future without support."

Bath made a £283,000 profit in 2006 and made a £29,000 loss last season.

Their 10,600-capacity ground, The Rec, limits their ability to increase their income, with Bath Rugby in negotiations with the Rec's trustees to raise the capacity to an initial 15,000.

Bath are top of the Premiership after seven games of the new season.