KENT have followed legal advice by throwing out a second members’ submission calling for a special general meeting of the county cricket club.

Disillusioned supporters Graham Long, from Wadhurst, and Surrey businessman Stewart Stennett, re-submitted their 100-signature petition almost a fortnight ago after being told the wording of the original document failed to comply with club rules.

The pair duly re-titled the petition, but have now been told that, according to Kent’s solicitors Messrs Girlings of Canterbury, no amount of re-drafting will validate the original petition.

Commenting on the decision, Kent chairman Carl Openshaw said: “The requisitions have not been rejected on a technical or pedantic basis and there is no desire to be obstructive.

“The legal advice makes it clear that the club has no power to call a special general meeting on the basis of the submissions from Mr Long and Mr Stennett and we would be failing in our duty to the membership as a whole if we were to do so.

“Arranging a SGM would involve spending several thousand pounds and would also be costly in terms of management and administrative time.”

Mr Openshaw also points out that several of the original 105 members who signed the petition have since contacted the club to withdraw their support for the revolution.

“I believe that most members share our view that it is now time to draw a line under the issues of recent months,” added Mr Openshaw.

“The negative environment is unhelpful to the club and particularly to the cricket committee as they seek to attract new players.

“We must allow the club management to devote their time to our plans both on and off the field.”

Mr Stennett, the father-in-law of former Kent and England all-rounder Mark Ealham, says that the petition may well now be withdrawn if it is the wish of Kent’s membership.

“I spoke to John Fordham. the club’s marking manager, and he said that some members have contacted the club directly and withdrawn their support for the petition," said Mr Stennett.

“The way I see it, it’s now the decision of the members who signed the document, and if they now wish to withdraw it and want to contact Graham or myself to talk about how we progress then we will happily talk.

“Graham and myself have the good of the club at heart and because of Graham’s actions the members had their forum and that in itself was a major step forward.

“I wish the players every success for next year. They will need all the luck they can get and I will support them as usual.”