Goals to focus on tackling debt pile as it puts expansion plans on hold Five-a-side football pitch operator Goals Soccer Centres has shelved plans to expand its estate this year as it concentrates on reducing its debt pile. It had been planning to open one site this year, using a "modular build" system that is 35 per cent cheaper and quicker than traditional construction techniques, but the company has decided to instead focus on "strong cash generation" and enhancing returns from existing facilities. Managing director Keith Rogers said: "This strategic move will enable the board to meet the key objective of using strong cash flow to further reduce net bank debt, which has been reduced to £50m, from £54m at 30 June." He added that, subject to "satisfactory prevailing economic conditions," the firm plans to open additional centres next year. Goals also said yesterday that Alex Short, finance director at Irn-Bru maker AG Barr, has joined as a non-executive director and it plans to make another board appointment soon. Short is acting as integration director for AG Barr's all-share merger with fellow soft drinks group Britvic, and is due to step down from the Cumbernauld-based group's board when the deal completes later this month. He said: "Goals is another great Scottish success story with a truly national brand. It has a clear strategy in place with an exciting future and I am pleased to have the opportunity to contribute to it. Goals will publish its results for the year to 31 December next month, and while it remains confident of making further progress this year, Rogers cautioned that "2013 looks likely to be another challenging year for the UK consumer." Peel Hunt analyst Nick Batram said adjusted pre-tax profits are likely to rise to about £9.5m, up from £9m last year, and "longer term, we remain positive on the market and the business." He added: "Management needs to rebuild confidence and, by focusing on debt reduction and improving returns in the existing estate, we believe it is taking the right path. However, this does mean that the shares are likely to be dull until the bottom line demonstrates that the strategy is delivering the desired results. Shares in Goals ended the day 1p lower at 124p.