KENT County Cricket Supporters' Club officials have moved to announce their partial backing to Kent's St Lawrence re-development scheme following a national newspaper report suggesting they were against the plans.

Club chairman Tony Clark, who was quoted in the article published in The Times, and supporters' club president Cannon Chris Byers issued a joint statement rejecting the thrust of an article that implied Kent supporters were rebelling on mass against the plans.

Cannon Byers said: "Readers of The Times could be forgiven for thinking that the Kent County Cricket Supporters' Club is seething with rage and frustration.

"It is not, and we hope to play a constructive part in ensuring that cricket continues to be played and enjoyed at St Lawrence.

"Here was a reporter who had already worked out his story and was looking for a quote that would reinforce his theme. People willing to work together toward a good outcome are not news, disagreement and disarray obviously is.

"It was during discussions about the hotel, of which we have some misgivings because we have yet to see detailed plans, which our chairman was quoted but he made it absolutely clear he was expressing a personal opinion and not that of the supporters'club."

Mr Clark, in his first year as supporters' club chairman, added: "There will be sensible communication and I would like to think Kent will be transparent in their dealings with us and the membership.

"It would be to Kent's detriment if they don't liase with the supporters in every step of this scheme."

Having announced that Persimmon Homes (South East) and Radisson Hotels as their first two business partners, the club are in the process of drawing up detailed blueprints and a business plan which they hope to put before city planners later in the year.

The future of the scheme will then rest with the result of an extraordinary general meeting of the club and a vote canvassing the members for permission to sell two parcels of St Lawrence in order to part-finance the refurbishment plans.