Kent Cricket launch Woolley Stand Appeal

Kent Cricket's Woolley Stand Appeal has got off to a flying start, with over ten thousand pounds raised since the official launch just last week.

The Woolley Stand Appeal is intended to raise funds for the construction of a new Frank Woolley Stand at the St Lawrence Ground.The original Stand was constructed in 1927, and despite a renovation in 1972 it 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. 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 Standafter one of the true Kent legends. His phenomenal statistics tell the whole story:

He played 978 First Class Matches

Scored 58959 First Class runs at an Average of 40.77

Took 2066 Wickets at an average of 19.87

AND he took 1018 catches

So, we have an impressive Kent stand named after an impressive Kent Cricketer.

The Club are appealing for donations and will be holding a number of Woolley Stand Appeal events during 2013 to raise funds.

Kent Cricket Chairman, George Kennedy stated: “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.”

Former England international and Club captain Matthew Fleming, Patron of the Woolley Stand Appeal, commented during the official launch luncheon; "The Club decided this year, in the absence of a beneficiary, to begin the process of fundraising for the redevelopment of the Stand. It is an ambitious and exciting project and one I am delighted to support as Patron.

"All that has been achieved with the redevelopment of the ground so far has been superb. The new facilities are wonderful – good bar and hospitality areas, a sympathetically restored Pavilion, high quality floodlights, new offices, wonderful landscaping…the redevelopment of the “Woolley” really would be the icing on the cake."

A full calendar of events will be announced shortly, for further information please contact Benefit Co-ordinator Alison Patel: alisonpatel@live.co.uk