Goals Soccer Centres to tackle US market

Goals Keith Rogers is keen to expand on firms LA operation. Picture: Contributed

The East Kilbride-based company has 43 sites in the UK, along with a single location in Los Angeles, and chief executive Keith Rogers said he was looking for more opportunities along the west coast, where the profile of football has been lifted by David Beckham’s spell with LA Galaxy.

Rogers told The Scotsman: “Our LA centre has been a big success, with sales up 35 per cent during the first half of the year. We have a small pipeline of sites on the west coast, and we know that market well.”

Goals, which is also planning to open more centres across the UK, unveiled its plans as it announced a 7 per cent dip in pre-tax profits to £4.1 million for the six months to 30 June, despite sales rising 2 per cent to £16.6m.

The firm attributed the fall in profits to investments in its head office team and a £200,000 increase in business rates. Spending at its bars also took a knock as customers cut back on their midweek alcohol intake.

However, the dip in bar sales was offset by a jump in demand for birthday parties and corporate events.

In January, Aim-quoted Goals said it would slow its growth ambitions as it sought to tackle its debts, but Rogers said it was now poised for expansion following a “year of consolidation”.

He added: “We have a great business and are confident that we are well positioned for growth, both in the UK and US.”

Net debts reduced by 11 per cent to £48.1m, and the interim dividend, to be paid on 29 November, was held steady at 0.675p a share.

Goals saw a £73.1m takeover bid from Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan collapse last year when too few shareholders supported the deal. Analysts believe bid speculation will continue to

circle the firm, but Rogers said: “All we can do is concentrate on the business and get on with the job. If something comes out of the woodwork we’ll deal with that when it happens.”