Spurs shirt sales hit

Tottenham fans have been voting with their wallets over the club's uninspiring Premiership form.

Sales of shirts and other Spurs merchandise-have plummeted by 30 per cent in the wake of their dismal start to the season.

Chairman Daniel Levy described the key Christmas trading period as "poor" and there is little doubt that turnover was hit by despondency surrounding Spurs' flirtation with the Premiership relegation zone late last year.

Levy said: "We have seen a significant drop in merchandise turnover. The merchandising division suffered from a poor Christmas, compounded by a drop in attendances at games and reduction in customers using the club's shops."

The sales figures were revealed as the club's interim results for the six months ending 31 December were published today.

The results showed an increased operating profit of £3.3million, which helped cut the club's overall loss to £3m. Last year, Tottenham lost £8.6m.

Levy explained Spurs had been helped by higher broadcasting revenues and more money raised from sponsorship deals and corporate hospitality. With a further £15m due from a share issue last January, Levy has pledged to continue investing in new players - and a new manager.

He said: "Your board is aware of the areas that still need strengthening, this includes the change in the management structure for the start of next season."