Goals Soccer Centres makes 'encouraging progress'

Investors in outdoor small-sided football centre operator Goals Soccer Centres gathered for the company’s annual general meeting on Tuesday, preparing to hear that the company had made “encouraging progress” despite there still being “much to do”, according to chairman Nick Basing.

The AIM-traded firm would have reinvested in and relaid 219 arenas by the end of the first half, Basing reported, adding that the inaugural ‘Clubhouse 2020’ concept opened at Ruislip in April.

“A further nine centres will be upgraded during the current year,” Basing said in a statement.

“[The] construction on our third centre in Los Angeles, California, is due to commence in June.

“The new US management team is in place to drive improved performance and growth,” Basing added.

Group sales for the first 18 weeks of 2017 were said to be above the levels achieved during last year, and in line with current market expectations.