LIFE-LONG Kent County Cricket Club supporter Graham Long is calling for an extraordinary general meeting after Mark Ealham's departure to Nottinghamshire.

But the club's chief executive, Paul Millman, believes he could reassure Mr Long, and any other concerned members, if they would contact him.

Mr Long, 40, who lives in Wadhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, is a life member of the club. He says he has become disenchanted with the way the club is being run and Ealham's departure was the final straw.

Mr Long now wants to see a vote of no confidence in the committee. He needs to get 100 signatures from members to call the meeting and already has 24.

He said: "I am absolutely furious and would like to have an EGM because what is happening at the club is ridiculous.

"I would like to know things like why they let Mark Ealham go, why is there such a tight budget for players and why do they wait until the last minute before getting their overseas players. And why are there so many backroom staff?

"Apparently, 20 years ago there were only six, one of whom was part-time. Now there are about 35. It is a cricket club not ICI or some other large business institution. What are these people doing now in the close season?

"They boast that they are the only team to have always been in Division 1 of both competitions, but that is not good enough.

The only reason they did not go down last season was due to Muttiah Muralitharan and Mohammad Sami."

Mr Millman said: "I am always prepared to talk to members about the running of the club, and I was disappointed to hear Graham's views.

"He and I speak frequently on club matters but, so far, have not been able to do so on the questions that he has raised. "I am sure that we will, and hope I can put his mind at rest."