Derbyshire on financial up

The Chesterfield festival had to be postponed to the season end

Despite having to postpone the popular Chesterfield festival last year, Derbyshire have recorded a healthy profit of £22,024 for the 2007/08 business period.

The unseasonal heavy rainfall meant that the Chesterfield ground was left unplayable, and two Twenty20 matches had to be cancelled, creating a large loss of revenue.

But Derbyshire have benefited from increased revenue from the England and Wales Cricket Board and, owing to strong non-cricket commercial activity and sound cost control, they have been able to spread the benefits of the additional ECB payments into 2008.

Chief executive Tom Sears said: "To be able to announce a strong surplus in a year so badly affected by the weather is a testament to the strong foundations we have put in place at Derbyshire.

Derby was badly hit by rain

"The weather affected all our match day revenues significantly with gate revenue down by £40,000 and this had a knock-on effect with our secondary revenue streams such as retail, hospitality, bars and catering.

"The way we have maximised all revenue opportunities, cricket and non-cricket, and kept costs under tight control is a result of the excellent work of our staff team who have been outstanding.

"This has allowed us to maximise the benefits of the extra ECB revenues instead of using it all as a sticking plaster in a challenging year."

Chairman Don Amott added: "I am very pleased we have built on the good work of the previous two years and recorded an above budget surplus for 2007.

"It is difficult to remember a summer so blighted by the weather and the effect has been a significant one but we have come through it superbly.

"As a result we have been able to invest significant funds into our cricket both in terms of playing staff and the support structure and we look forward to seeing improved results."