Kent County Cricket Club Announce Woolley Appeal Launch

Kent County Cricket Club has announced details of an event to launch a ‘Woolley Stand Appeal’- intended to raise funds for the construction of a new Frank Woolley Stand at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury.

The original Stand was constructed in 1927, and despite a renovation in 1972 is now not at the standard of the rest of the superbly redeveloped ground. The intention is to raise around £4 million to fund a new, modern stand which is fit for purpose and will form a key part of the newly redeveloped St Lawrence Ground.

The Stand was for many years known simply as ‘The Concrete Stand’. It replaced the old Telegraph Stand in which the press and scorers were accommodated. At the time it was one of the largest cantilever structures built, provided seating for 750 on the lower tier, and 930 on the upper. In those early days it had a facility for serving teas. The original cost of construction was £5918. 1s. 0d. Since its original construction the stand underwent major renovations in 1972, when its appearance was updated and new seating added at a cost of £9,000. The following year it was renamed the Frank Woolley Stand.

Kent Cricket Chairman, George Kennedy announced the news, stating: “The redevelopment of the St Lawrence Ground is now nearing completion and has brought the St Lawrence Ground up to date. It has become apparent that we also need to address the state of the Frank Woolley Stand following the vast improvements to our other facilities. We will launch our Woolley Appeal at a special event on January 17th. I do hope that many Kent Cricket members and supporters will join us as we get this significant project underway.”

Former England international and Club captain Matthew Fleming, who has been announced as the patron of the Appeal commented: “I am delighted to be getting involved in this very ambitious project. The St Lawrence Ground holds many happy memories for me and I am pleased to champion the wonderful updating of the ground that is underway. The Woolley Stand is the final piece in the jigsaw and I am sure it will become a wonderful new facility that enhances what has already been acheived.”

Kent Cricket’s Woolley Appeal (which will be chaired by former Club doctor and retired surgeon, Richard Collins) will host a launch lunch, to be held at Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel in Hollingbourne on Thursday 17th January 2013.