Newcastle score big profits

Chairman Freddy Shepherd has said that that premier league Newcastle United would not get carried away after a strong run in the Champions League contributed to a major jump in profits in the first half of the financial year.

Newcastle's profits before interest and tax rose to stg£11.5 million in the six months to January 31, from stg£1.4 million in the comparative period last year, on turnover up 57% to stg£56.2 million.

The results reflect Newcastle's progress to the second stage of Europe's most lucrative club competition, combined with fine performances in the premier league, which have lifted them into third place. This helped television revenues more than double to stg£21.5 million, a statement on Monday showed.