Five-a-side pitch operator Goals Soccer Centres secured backing for its expansion plans today after netting £11.4 million from City investors.

The company currently has 43 centres in the UK - hosting over 100,000 players every week - but believes there is the potential for another 100 sites.

It issued new shares to investors today in order to help fund the growth plan, which will see two new centres built both this year and in 2015.

Goals is also planning a second site in Los Angeles next year and will step up its expansion in the United States with two new centres in 2016.

The roll-out was announced at the same time as annual results showing a 4% rise in sales to £33.7 million and underlying profits of £9.6 million, up 2%.