Record £4.4m profit for Somerset

Somerset have announced record profits of £4.4m for the year ending 30 September 2008.

The club has doubled its income with a series of real-estate deals, which have helped to fund the redevelopment of its home, the County Ground in Taunton.

"I'm delighted to see our club thriving in all areas," Somerset chairman Andy Nash told his club's website.

"In the changing world that is cricket at present our financial strength makes us well-placed to develop further."

Work on the County Ground has already started and the project includes 65 apartments, shops and a restaurant complex as well as a sports injury clinic and a hydrotherapy pool.

"Over recent months the progress made by the club has emerged for all to see"
Somerset chief executive Richard Gould

Somerset chief executive Richard Gould added: "It has been a very demanding few years but over recent months the progress made by the club has emerged for all to see.

"The benefits will be long-lasting and, having completed many of our financial and real-estate deals before the worst of the recession hit, we are strategically ahead of many of our competitors."

Meanwhile, the Somerset players returned to training earlier this month in preparation for the 2009 season.

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
Somerset
Your say on Somerset - 606
BBC Where I Live - Somerset
Taunton weather
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites