Kent chairman George Kennedy Picture: Paul Dennis

Exclusive by Andrew Gidley

Kent chairman George Kennedy has made a major six-figure loan to help ease the cricket club’s financial burden.

The shock revelation comes in the week the county revealed another huge loss for the second successive year, totalling more than £800,000.

Explaining his decision, Mr Kennedy said: "To help avoid further bank charges that would have had a damaging effect, I have made a loan of several hundred thousand pounds.

"I hope that members and supporters see this as a sign of my absolute commitment to ensure the future success of the club."

Kent’s deficit was £802,452 for the year ending October 31 2009, an increase of more than £110,000 on the previous year. It includes losses of £190,000 on two summer pop concerts, £150,000 paid out in staff settlements, and £140,000 relating to earlier years, which includes bad debts and VAT payments.

Mr Kennedy, now in his second year in the job, said: "The three are non-recurring debts, and are unlikely to happen again, so would bring the loss down to around £300,000, which is half (what we lost) the previous year.

"So from a trading position going forward, I am actually quite bullish, and feel we are in reasonable shape."

A year ago Mr Kennedy told members the 2009 figures "should result in an outcome closer to break even" but admitted: "I don’t regret it, but anything you say may be taken down and used against you for sure – the losses on the concerts were a major blow."

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