APATHY shown by committee members towards Kent's crunch National Cricket League clash with Warwickshire last year, and the club’s decision not to give a contract to pace bowler Martin McCague, were the main areas of contention at KCCC annual meeting.

The Ramada Great Danes Hotel near Maidstone played host to a generally low key meeting, which went smoothly for players and committee alike until the members had their say during any other business.

Life-long member Jim Sly, from Otford, near Sevenoaks, questioned the commitment of the county’s cricket sub-committee, stating that just one representative of that committee attended last September’s title decider in Edgbaston. He also noted that just one cricket committee man, namely Paul Box Grainger, was at the meeting.

In defending the committee absentees, Chris Cowdrey, Derek Underwood, Graham Johnson and Mike Denness, who was ill with a stomach virus, club chairman Carl Openshaw said: “Yes, some members of that committee find it more difficult to get to matches than others through business and family commitments.

“I hear what you say, but I think we have a good cricket committee that gives tremendous advice to Matthew and the club itself. They are former players generally with a lot of experience. Please don’t doubt their commitment to the club, but perhaps we will have a word to see if people can get there more often.”

Earlier, Graham Long, from Wadhurst, near Tunbridge Wells, took club captain Matthew Fleming to task over the decision to re-employ former England quick bowler Martin McCague on a match-to-match contract in this his benefit year. “Martin has done incredible things for Kent but we have to make tough decisions at time a time when money is very tight,” said Fleming.

“If Martin plays as many games as we would like him to in 2002 he will earn a very generous salary commensurate with a full contract. If you play well you deserve a full contract, but we can’t afford to give contracts out just for old times’ sake.”

“Martin still has an opportunity to play for Kent. That is something we did not want to deny him.”

Members' questioned the performance of the club’s marketing department, while Bill Burnett, from Canterbury, voiced concerns over the dwindling membership numbers, which dropped 631 last year down to 4,867 compared to 5,498 in 2000. Mr Burnett called for the club to form a membership sub-committee to come up with ways to reverse the trend.

In response, Mr Openshaw told the meeting that Kent lie 5th in a league table of memberships amongst the 18 first-class counties, the top four being Test match venues, but that achievement was no cause for complacency.

Covering both topics chief executive Paul Millman said: “I’m conscious of the criticism about marketing and commercial activities, but cricket is a very tough sell at the moment and we shouldn’t underestimate how difficult it is to market cricket in the present climate.

“I do believe we have a team here now who are doing as well as any other county and I’m confident that before long we’ll be announcing a new, improved sponsorship deal with Shepherd Neame.

“I have to reassure you that I think the team in place are doing a superb job and I very much countenance you to look forward to this time next year when I hope the overall picture will look even better than it is now.”

Outgoing president Derek Ufton introduced Lord Kingsdown from Torry Hill, Sittingbourne as president for 2002, while Richard Collins and Graham Johnson were re-elected onto the general committee. George Kennedy was elected for a first three-year term to replace Roger Day who stood down after 12 years' service.

The meeting closed with a presentation to club stalwarts John Evans and Howard Milton who were both presented with inscribed silver salvers. Mr Evans, a former editor of the Kent Messenger, is retiring as editor of the club annual after 13 years service. Mr Milton was thanked for 25 years service as the club's honorary statistician.