West Bromwich Albion became one of the few football clubs to enjoy success on and off the pitch last season after they reported profits up by more than 50%.

The club, which won promotion to the Premier League last season, said pre-tax profits for the year to 30 June came in at �2.6m ($4m), up from �1.7m last year.

Turnover jumped by nearly 70% to �14.3m, helped by a 20% increase in crowd numbers last season.

"This year has been a very successful year for the club," said chairman Jeremy Peace.

"For the first time in our history we have gained promotion to the Premier League and enjoyed our most successful FA Cup run in 12 years."

Ticket boost

Promotion to the Premier League means the club will receive a huge increase in income from television rights, and has boosted ticket sales.

Gary Megson has signed a new three year contract

Season ticket sales are up 40% for the current season, and Mr Peace said he expected most home fixtures to be close to capacity.

But he said it was important that West Brom hung on to its position in the Premier League, because of the financial consequences of relegation.

Mr Peace said the club was "mindful of the vast differentials in income between the Premier and Nationwide leagues".

He said he was "delighted" that manager Gary Megson, who last season was voted Division 1 Manager of the Year by the League Managers' Association, had signed a new three year contract with the club.

Before the current season began, West Brom were one of the favourites to be relegated.

They are currently fourth from the bottom of the league, one place above the relegation zone.