SUSSEX have turned last year's record loss into a small profit.

The county's latest accounts, which the year to the end of last October, show a surplus of £9,054 compared to a deficit of £193,070 in 1998-99.

Chief Executive Dave Gilbert said the figures were "good news', but admitted the club still needed to keep a tight reign on expenditure if they were to improve their profitability.

"It was a much better year, but it will take more than two years before we can turn a huge loss like last year into something like a £200,000 profit," he said.

The financial success of last year's World Cup meant the county's handout from the ECB went up £200,000 to nearly £1.75m, but Sussex's gate receipts also showed a healthy 35 per cent increase to £135,000, even though the county lost around £20,000 when the World Cup warm-up match against South Africa in May was washed out without a ball being bowled.

Gilbert added: "The day-night games went well and Arundel was also a success again. This year we are taking one-day matches back to Horsham and Eastbourne, it looks like being a cracking week at Arundel with Essex and Yorkshire coming down while cricket is returning to Hastings after 11 years so we hope this upward trend continues."

Income from other sources, such as donations and legacies, also rose £30,000 while overall expenditure fell by the same amount.

There were also small rises in marketing income and subscriptions.

Most of the savings have been made in youth development now that the county regard players aged 16 and over as part of the professional staff.

A profit has been recorded even though the county invested heavily in new signings last year when they recruited Tony Cottey, Richard Montgomerie and Umer Rashid.

Only one new player, Kent batsman Will House, has been signed this winter along with three of the club's talented youngsters while Michael Bevan returns for a second season with Sussex.

Chairman Don Trangmar said the figures were 'satisfactory in a difficult year for cricket generally.'

"Although there has been an increase in income, the improvement in budgeting and cost control has also contributed greatly to the outcome.

"We are now in a much healthier than at this point last year and I am looking forward to further improvement during the coming season."

Members will get the chance to question the committee about the accounts at the club's AGM on March 21 at a venue to be confirmed.

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