Cash-strapped Kent face making cuts

Kent's chairman has warned the cash-strapped county will have to make cuts in 2009.

Speaking on the club's website, George Kennedy said: "The economic situation throughout the country is currently very serious and we, in cricket, are not in any way exempt from the financial constraints which are with us all. It is clear to me that we will have to tighten our belts as a club and your committee is currently examining a budget for next year which will be designed to reduce our overheads in various areas."

Kent are reported to be several million pounds in debt. They had planned to significantly reduce this by means of a substantial - and controversial - development at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury, but the original scheme fell foul of planners, and Kennedy admitted that the contractor who had won the tender for part of a revised specification had backed out after running into financial difficulties.

It seems inevitable that cuts will be made to the playing staff, but Kennedy was keen to downplay those suggestions. "In preparing the budget for the coming season, the view has been taken that although we will have to make savings, we will do all we can to protect the viability of the team and playing staff," he said. "We have some excellent young players coming through the Academy system and several will have the opportunity of proving their capabilities at senior level."

The financial downturn will seriously affect most counties, and Kent, with their large debt, appear to be in a worse position than many to face it. Pressure from disgruntled members on Paul Millman, the county's chairman, to step down is only likely to grow in the coming months.