Managers back Goals Soccer

Members of the management team at Goals Soccer Centres considered today's trading update an opportunity to buy - over £200,000 of shares in total.

The five-a-side football pitch operator said trading has been resilient, though the recent snowfall means the company is unlikely to meet its 2010 profit forecast of £0.7m.

Chairman Sir Rodney Walker was the biggest buyer, picking up 90,000 shares at 111p. He now owns 343,515 in total.

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Chief executive Keith Rogers paid the same prices for 45,000, taking his stake to 4.09m, or 8.4% of the company.

Lastly, Philip Burks, the co-founder of storage company Big Yellow who joined Goals as a non-executive director today, opened his account with a 50,000 purchase worth £55,500.

Goals shares are about half what they were a year ago despite this year's football World Cup in South Africa.

But the company said today it has seen decent trading at its core football business, while the amount people spend on drinks and other extras has also improved.

"Our site pipeline remains strong and we are confident that we will deliver on our strategy to continue Goals' expansion in 2011 and beyond," said Rogers.

Top Director Buys

Symphony International Holdings Ltd. (SIHL) Director name: Mr Anil ThadaniAmount purchased: 300,000 @ $0.67 Value: $200,340

Copper Development Corporation (CDC) Director name: Mr Guy ElliottAmount purchased: 346,429 @ 37.80p Value: £130,950

Goals Soccer Centres (GOAL) Director name: Sir Rodney WalkerAmount purchased: 90,000 @ 111.00p Value: £99,900

Symphony International Holdings Ltd. (SIHL) Director name: Mr Anil ThadaniAmount purchased: 129,262 @ $0.66 Value: $84,822

Copper Development Corporation (CDC) Director name: Mr Guy ElliottAmount purchased: 225,000 @ 37.50p Value: £84,375

Goals Soccer Centres (GOAL) Director name: Mr Philip BurksAmount purchased: 50,000 @ 111.00p Value: £55,500

Goals Soccer Centres (GOAL) Director name: Mr Keith RogersAmount purchased: 45,000 @ 111.00p Value: £49,950

JPMorgan Elect Managed Income Shares (JPEI) Director name: Mr Roger YatesAmount purchased: 25,000 @ 81.50p Value: £20,375

Johnston Press (JPR) Director name: Mr Ian M RussellAmount purchased: 105,196 @ 12.00p Value: £12,624

Aga Rangemaster Group (AGA) Director name: Mr Paul B DermodyAmount purchased: 12,425 @ 82.20p Value: £10,213

Top Director Sells

Education Development International (EDD) Director name: Mr Nigel M SnookAmount sold: 525,000 @ 95.00p Value: £498,750

Ashtead Group (AHT) Director name: Mr S Ian RobsonAmount sold: 212,127 @ 165.80p Value: £351,707

Discovery Metals Ltd. (CDI) (DME) Director name: Mr John Thomas ShawAmount sold: 250,000 @ 80.95p Value: £202,375

Discovery Metals Ltd. (CDI) (DME) Director name: Mr Ribson Champion GabonoweAmount sold: 250,000 @ 80.95p Value: £202,375

CVS Group (CVSG) Director name: Mr Simon InnesAmount sold: 107,317 @ 95.00p Value: £101,951

CVS Group (CVSG) Director name: Mr Paul CoxonAmount sold: 53,658 @ 95.00p Value: £50,975

RM (RM.) Director name: Mr Rob SirsAmount sold: 28,961 @ 155.00p Value: £44,890

Education Development International (EDD) Director name: Dr Dr Jenifer Mary MoodyAmount sold: 29,500 @ 95.00p Value: £28,025