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Somerset in rude financial health

Trophies continue to elude Somerset but they remain a model county club © Getty Images

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Somerset have continued to cement their reputation as one of the best run, and financially secure, counties after they announced a record profit of £409,000 up to September 2012, a marginal increase on the previous year.

It is a considerable achievement by Somerset considering last season was one of the wettest on record with the weather impacting all counties.

Somerset's position was strengthened by their second-place finish in the County Championship as well as being able to stage a home quarter-final in the Friends Life t20. There was also the impact of their successful Champions League T20 run in 2011 when they reached the semi-finals.

Chief executive Guy Lavender told the club's website: "This has been a very tough year and whilst we have seen some weather-related reductions in match receipts, we have been able to drive the club's business forward in a number of different areas. It is of credit to both our playing and non-playing staff who have worked hard to make sure that we have thrived again this year."

Somerset are also producing a regular supply of cricketers for England. Nick Compton, whose career has been transformed since moving from Middlesex, is currently opening the batting in India while both Craig Kieswetter and Jos Buttler are involved in various parts of the limited-overs set-up.

Andy Nash, the chairman, added that there remain two major targets for the club. "Our twin ambitions are to win the County Championship and to bring one day international cricket to the County Ground. We are well placed to begin preparatory work on the next phase of ground development and having consolidated and strengthened our cricketing squad for next season, we are in good shape for the 2013 campaign."

The club are in the process of recruiting a new director of cricket after Brian Rose stepped down at the end of last season. Dave Nosworthy, the former Highveld Lions coach, is understood to be the leading candidate for the position.

Alviro Petersen, the South Africa opening batsman, has been signed as an overseas player for the first part of the season.

Andrew McGlashan is an assistant editor at ESPNcricinfo

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