THE board of Newcastle United Football Club released record results to the London Stock Exchange yesterday.

The club was celebrating a hat-trick of positive news, announcing that record turnover, profits and season-ticket sales had all been achieved.

The off-the-field performance was at odds with the current crisis on the field.

Poor results at St James's Park so far this season mean the board may struggle to match the financial results next year.

Newcastle crashed out of the Uefa Champions League in the qualification stages to Partizan Belgrade and are languishing in the bottom three of the Premiership.

The crisis on the field has been so severe the club was forced to issue a statement to the City last week to refute Internet rumours that manager Sir Bobby Robson was on the verge of resigning.

The on-field problems were put to one side for the day yesterday, as the club said full-year group operating profits before player trading and amortisation were a record £27.6m, compared with £15.3m last year.

Turnover was up 36 per cent to a record £96.4m. The group also made a welcome return to pre-tax profit of £4.4m after a loss of £3.1m last year.

The club's third-place Premiership finish last season spurred a record 42,000 fans to buy season tickets, helping to push a 20 per cent rise in match revenue to £32.7m.

Season ticket holders may be left questioning why they paid more than £400 to secure a place at home matches.

But chairman Freddy Shepherd said: "Newcastle United is in a strong position for the longer term, and while not qualifying for the Champions League was unquestionably a major disappointment, the club has the infrastructure and playing squad backed by a loyal supporter base to continue to be successful going forward."

Anthony Platts, of stockbroker Wise Speke, described the results as outstanding.

He said: "The income from last year's two phases of the Champions League has clearly been of huge benefit.

"Increased ticket sales have fed through directly to an increase in turnover to a record level, more than a quarter up on the previous year.

"The loss incurred last year has been completely turned around allowing the dividend to shareholders to be covered rather than paid for through debt finance.

"The club will be looking to capitalise on the success by building the Newcastle United brand further afield, especially in the Far East."