AFTER a period when their balance sheet was often in the red, Yorkshire County Cricket Club have announced improved financial results for the year ended December 31, 2014.

The club have reported a 7.9 per cent increase in total income of £7.3million, while losses after tax were reduced to £300,000 compared to £600,000 in 2013.

At £2.2million, international match revenue represented 30 per cent of total income, while commercial income increased by ten per cent on 2013.

Income from the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) increased slightly to £2.2million due to prize-money received for winning the LV= County Championship and increased payments in respect of the development of England players and their representation for the national side.

During the year, the club also received a £1million payment from the ECB which was used to repay the short-term loan that was taken out in 2013.

Yorkshire director of finance Paul Hudson said: "We are very pleased to be able to report improved results after a period of heavy financial losses.

"The club have achieved an improvement in income. Despite Test-match ticket sales being lower than the previous year, the one-day international staged against India was practically a sell-out on a hot September day and proved a success with ticket sales, showing a small increase on the corresponding fixture last year.

"Commercial income has shown a significant move forward as a result of increased sponsorship of the club, including the support of our new principal partner Mazars, along with our other partners.

"The newly-launched online shop has also proved highly successful since its launch in August. This has helped us to leverage the success of performances on the pitch and allow us a far greater reach with sale of club merchandise.

"The year ahead will hope to see a continued improvement in revenue. This is supported by the fact that the club will be making a significant investment in the installation of permanent floodlights at Headingley.

"Headingley's changing landscape will allow NatWest T20 Blast matches to start at a later time, which is expected to be beneficial from a spectator and financial perspective."

Yorkshire's annual meeting will be held in the east stand long room at Headingley on Saturday, March 28 (10am).