Sheffield united announces loss

Sheffield United Football Club (SUFC) has announced an operating loss of £700,000 for the full year ending 30 June.

Turnover was down £1.2m from the year before to £11.8m, despite a 17 per cent increase in its average crowd figure.

The club blamed the financial decline on a more successful campaign on the pitch during 2002-3, when it reached the semi-finals of two major tournaments as well as the first division play-off final.

Earlier this year, the club announced it had agreed development plans for a £50m resort casino adjacent to its Bramall Lane stadium with US-based operator Las Vegas Sands.