Kent Cricket members gathered for a largely upbeat edition of the club’s AGM at The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence, on Wednesday night.

After a year of improving financials, tributes were paid to the club’s management committee for their hard work in the turnaround in fortunes over the past four years, to the point where the latest figures show a profit in earnings before interest, taxation, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA).

Chief executive Jamie Clifford said there are ‘signs of life getting better’ but stressed that performance on the field had an important role to play in off-field success too, adding: “Team performance last year was lower than we would have hoped for. It was disappointing.”

Mr Clifford pointed out a ‘worrying trend’ in a fall in gate receipts and membership revenues in recent years, but claimed a drop in the number of home t20 games and poor weather had contributed to the decline and remained hopeful that an upturn in on-field success would improve fortunes.

A series of measures to boost member satisfaction were revealed, including the availability of real ale at the ground at every game, while Mr Clifford also said a survey last year highlighted the deteriorating state of the outdoor seats at the Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence as cause for member concern.

Mr Clifford revealed refurbishment would take place during the three-day First Class game against Loughborough MCCU beginning on Monday.

Head coach Jimmy Adams also responded to a question from member Alan Bennett of Hollingbourne about the number of slip catches dropped last season.

Adams admitted it was ‘an issue’ and was something highlighted in the club’s own internal review after the 2013 season.

He added: “We share the concerns, you don’t want bowlers to give their all and not get the support they deserve. It is something we have given special attention to in pre-season and will continue to do so.”

Out-going club president Bob ‘The Cat’ Bevan handed over the reins to Graham Johnson, who spoke of his belief that the club ‘feels like it is on the brink of something good’ in the coming 12 months.

The newly-formed Kent Cricket Heritage Trust will hold its first event in the pavilion at Canterbury at 6.30pm on May 6.