The extreme weather that hit much of Britain towards the end of last year hurt 5-a-side football pitch operator Goals Soccer's profits.

Pre-tax profits in the year to 31 December fell by 14% from last year to £7.6m, even as sales climbed by 6% to £27.8m. Like-for-like sales, excluding the impact of new openings, were down by 4%, but would have climbed by 1% but for the snow, Goals, which has opened eight new centres over the past eight months, said.

The bad weather hit profits by £1.7m during the year.

Meanwhile, trading has started well so far in 2011, with total sales up by 15% and like for sales up by 5% for the first 55 weeks of the year, albeit against a snow-affected period last year.

"During the year we have taken further strides to strengthen our position as the premier five-a-side soccer operator in the UK," managing director Keith Rogers said.

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