Jamie Clifford says Kent need to maximise each remaining days of cricket Picture: Barry Goodwin

by Andrew Gidley

Chief executive Jamie Clifford has issued a rallying call to Kent's cricketing public to do their bit to help the county fight back from the huge £50,000 losses suffered by the recent bad weather.

In a letter to members this week, Mr Clifford urged them to “bring a friend or neighbour” to future games to boost attendances, with the county boasting an attractive fixture list and a successful team who deserve support.

Kent have insured all their T20 games, and floodlit matches, the South African fixture, and the Sunday of Canterbury Festival Week against bad weather, but Mr Clifford says there is big financial hole that needs filling.

He said: “We needs to refocus rather than re-invent our marketing strategy, and try and maximise each of the remaining days.

contract talks continue

jamie clifford confirmed that talks with geraint jones, darren stevens and ben harmison about contract extensions are still ongoing.

jones (three years) and stevens (two years) are out of contract at the end of the season, while harmison signed a one-year deal in the winter.

harmison, charlie shreck and mike powell are living in flats at the st lawrence ground, while head coach jimmy adams and mark davies are now also based in canterbury.

“The team is going well, and I want people to come and enjoy the success which is what counties are all about. I know we haven’t won anything yet, but we are winning games, playing good cricket, and the hard work the players have put in is beginning to show.”

“I don’t want to put pressure on the guys, but the impact of getting a home T20 quarter-final is massive and would cover the losses in itself. There are lots of sides trying to get there and we have to treat that as a bonus if it happens. It would be lucrative and a great night out as well.”

Around 4000 watched the Spitfires win against Surrey Lions at Beckenham on Sunday and Mr Clifford admitted weather forecasts have done the county no favours

He said: The long-range forecast was a wet day, but it turned out lovely, and we switched the Sussex T20 game from Tunbridge Wells to Canterbury,and the forecast was wrong again. They seem to be notorious in their accuracy.”

“It has been all doom and gloom, but we are determined to turn things around very quickly. There is an awful ot of great cricket still to be played."