West Brom reveal profit of £1.5m

The profit was less than the previous year

Shane Long joined the club for £6m (Getty Images)

West Brom have announced a reduced pre-tax profit of £1.5million for the financial year ending June 30 2012.

The profit compared with a surplus of £9.1million for the previous 12 months. It means the club's net debt has been reduced from £2million to just £500,000.

In the first full set of accounts released by West Bromwich Albion Group Ltd since its formation in August 2010, the club also reported a record turnover of £66.7million.

But Albion's total salaries topped the £50million mark and represented 74% of the club's turnover.

West Brom paid out £6million during the summer of 2011 to sign striker Shane Long from Reading.

Club chief executive Mark Jenkins said in a statement: "The club has continued to invest in its playing squad, both in transfer fees and wages and total salaries now exceed £50million per year.

"However, with careful budgeting and tight financial controls, we have managed to match our revenue to our costs and record a pre-tax profit of £1.5million."

PA