KENT and their prospective Kolpak signing Justin Kemp have vowed to fight on after the South African all-rounder lost his registration appeal to the England and Wales Cricket Board.

The 30-year-old was one of 14 players believed to have to lodged appeals with the full ECB board at Lord's on Wednesday and one of only four to lose out.

Kent chief executive Paul Millman confirmed the news this morning and, though disappointed, he says the club will take the matter further.

Mr Millman said: "Because we feel we have such a strong case and have acted with absolute integrity throughout we will continue with the appeal process.

"I have asked the Board to send me the relevant paperwork and once that arrives I will have a clearer idea as to the timescale.

"I would like to think this could be heard within days rather than weeks and at this point it would be our intention to fly Justin over from Cape Town so that he can appear in person at the hearing."

Kent's director of cricket Graham Ford, the man who first bought Kemp to Kent in 2005, said: "I chatted with Justin this morning (Thursday) and he's very, very disappointed.

"He is absolutely desperate to play county cricket and is intent on fighting this all the way.

"Playing Twenty20 in the ICL was just something to fill the gap between seasons and earn a few quid after cutting his ties with South African cricket.

"He can't go back and play in South Africa and is far too young for retirement, so playing for Kent is where he really wants to be and, like the rest of us, Justin believes he really has a genuine case."

Ford added: "He has told me that he will fly over next week to prepare for the hearing and will then stay on, train with us and keep himself match fit.

"He is hoping to be playing sooner rather than later, but at this stage we don't really know how long this process might take.

"As yet we don't even know on what grounds his appeal was rejected, but our initial belief is that an appeal hearing should take place within 28 days.

"If that is successful 'Kempy' will be ready to play immediately afterwards. He just has to get the administrators to understand how genuine he is about playing for Kent and the long term commitment he is prepared to make to us."