Sheffield United Football Club (SUFC) has completed the sale of its health and fitness club in Staines, Middlesex, as part of its strategy to refocus its leisure operations around the South Yorkshire area.

The four-acre Thames Club – which was purpose-built six years ago – was sold to a company funded by the Downing Protected Venture Capital Trusts, generating a gross profit of £0.7m for the club.

As reported in Leisure Opportunities at the time, the property was put up for sale by Christie + Co – which acted on behalf of SUFC on the deal – in October 2007.

Facilities at the club feature a 20m swimming pool, an 85 station fitness club, sauna, a 300-capacity conference centre and a sports bar.

Jason Rockett, SUFC chief executive, said profits from the sale would be used to repay debt and to finance investment in the first team.

"The sale has realised a significant return on our investment. Thames was part of the diversification of our off-the-field business through leisure and property, which will now have a much greater focus on South Yorkshire," said Rockett.

"With the opening of the Copthorne Sheffield Hotel taking place in autumn 2008, which includes a new health club, it makes sense to realise a significant profit from the sale of the Thames Club allowing us to focus our capital and management resource on the new challenges."