Five-a-side football centre operator Powerleague – which runs 32 sites across the UK – has reported strong trading for the four months since July, following the integration of new centres in Manchester South, Warrington, Barnsley and Dunfermline.

The group has also recently opened centres in Basingstoke and Kilmarnock and added new seven-a-side pitches to existing sites in Watford, Barnet and Fairlop Oaks, North London.

Claude Littner, chair, said: “Our pipeline of sites is progressing well and we continue to explore new opportunities to develop our sponsorship revenues.

"We are on track to achieve our expectations, particularly with the World Cup in 2006."