Goals Soccer Centres raises its game to lure back five-a-siders

Goals Soccer Centres today claimed it is back on top after a lengthy period of relegation form.

A trading update noted that sales for the year are ahead by 1.3% to £33.4 million, suggesting the five-a-side football operator is winning trade back from rivals.

City analysts say Goals over-expanded, ran into financial trouble and stopped investing in the pitches. As local authorities and other rivals upped their game, Goals suffered.

Chief executive Mark Jones, who joined last July from Grosvenor Casinos, said upgrades to pitches and new lighting have helped lure back teams.

Former chief executive Keith Rogers, who has been with the company since the beginning, is standing down from the board. He is on a 12-month notice period.

Goals, which has 15 sites in London, raised £16.75 million in June from investors. It still has debt of £19.2 million.