Last updated 19:51, Thursday, 04 September 2008

WORKINGTON Town have recorded a profit of nearly £13,000 for 2007.

PROFIT: Town chairman Dave Bowden welcomes the profit

But the club is warning that this year won’t be so good because of extra costs due to a string of injuries.

At last night’s annual general meeting the club revealed that in 2007 it made a gross profit of £41,722 with an operating profit of £12,828 after administrative expenses.

The profit comes after a £19,828 operating loss in the previous year. Last year’s figures revealed turnover increased by £60,527 from 2006.

Club chairman Dave Bowden told Times & Star Sport before last night’s meeting: “Although it is pleasing to be able to report a profit yet again, still a unique achievement in the game as a whole, the reality is that the exceptional items made the difference.

“Advertising and sponsorship have not made the further gains we require and will be an area for attention.”

The exceptional gains in 2007 were increased gate receipts from cup games at Leeds and Castleford plus a one-off payment for the siting of a radio mast. Bar sales also showed a healthy increase.

2008 is proving to be a tougher year financially, though. Bowden said: “We still maintain a healthy sponsorship base but there is no doubt money is tighter for both sponsors and supporters this year and our league position has not reflected the investment in the squad.

“Our injury situation has had a major impact on the field and further increased the playing costs. As a result the club’s financial position will not be quite as positive in 2008.”

On the field Town travel to Keighley on Sunday for the start of a, hopefully, prolonged play-offs campaign.

And there’s good news on the injury front with powerhouse foward Chris Young back after missing the last couple of games with a shoulder injury.

He will join fellow Aussie, half-back Bryce Poisel, in the squad for the game which kicks off at 3pm.

Hooker Shaun Lunt, last season’s NL2 young player of the year, will have a late fitness test to see if he will be right to return.

Town head coach Dave Rotheram is also hoping to see Iain Marsh and Ryan Campbell available for the big clash.

This is a great boost for Town, who have been hit by a string of injuries to key players this season.

Rotheram said: “There are no second chances in the play-offs so we are going to put everything into it and it will be great to have Chris and Bryce back.

“Chris and Bryce will definitely play. We will have to check on Shaun but he has been training really hard.”

But skipper Dean Burgess, who has just signed a new deal with the club, is unlikely to feature for the rest of the season.

It will be the fifth time that Town and Keighley have met this season, with all the honours so far going to the Yorkshire club, though the games have been close.

In the Northern Rail Cup Keighley won 22-18 and 26-18 and in the league encounters they won 18-6 and 26-20.

Rotheram believes now is the time to turn the tables.

The victors will face the winners of York v Rochdale in the next round.

l Town Flyer: Monday, Wayne Burns, Frizington, D5925; Tuesday, Mrs A Studholme, Workington, C0743; Wednesday, A Spedding, Workington C6951; Thursday, M L Fulton, Lowca, D5529; today, Mrs Vallely, Workington, A5650.