SAINTS have declared an annual profit of £293,000 from a turnover of nearly £3.5 million, both record figures... and with club merchandising injecting a healthy chunk of those figures.

The cupwinning club's accounts for the year ending Oct 31, 1997 show a return to profitability after three years of losses due to heavy investment in team-building, the year's income being boosted by appearances in the finals of both the Challenge Cup and the Premiership, plus improved retail sales and sponsorship.

Saints chairman Tom Ellard commented: "While our turnover and profit for 1997 are creditable, those figures must be balanced against ongoing overall debt.

"Last season was boosted by the staging of three home fixtures in the World Club Championship, plus qualification for the quarter-finals. The forthcoming campaign provides only 11 guaranteed home games, while the league have imposed a four per cent levy on television revenue to offset central losses.

"To maintain financial progress and further reduce the club's indebtedness it is essential that we continue to achieve success on the field, increase sponsorship revenue and attract regular five-figure gates."

A big portion of the record financial performance for last year came from the Saints Superstore, opened at the ground in the spring of 1996. Annual sales at the club retail outlet during 1997 soared to £575,000.

The increase in merchandising was spurred by the introduction of a three-year deal with internationally-renowned manufacturers Mizuno, the current home strip being Saints' best-selling replica garment in club history.

The club has just opened a second shop unit, Saints in Town, within major town-centre store What Everyone Wants.

Saints have currently established a club record of five successive appearances in major finals, including last season's profitable qualification for both the Silk Cut Challenge Cup Final at Wembley and the Stones Premiership Final at Manchester United's Old Trafford ground.

Mr Ellard added: "Saints have been the most positive influence in the town in recent years, enlightening the current economic gloom. Having established world-record fees for the recruitment of Paul Newlove and Paul Sculthorpe, we look forward to support from the business community and from the public with a return to our average gate of more than 10,000 per match in the Cup and League double season of 1996.

"The 1997 accounts show we mean business on and off the field but any club needs support through the turnstiles and sponsorship to continue to progress, especially in Super League III which promises to be the most competitive campaign yet, culminating in the first British Grand Final at Old Trafford in October."

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