THE ups and downs of a 2004 campaign that led to one-day relegation despite a concerted championship title push will be debated at Kent County Cricket Club’s annual meeting on Monday night (March 14).

The meeting, at 7.30pm at the Ramada Resort Hotel near Maidstone, is likely to be lively after the club announced post-tax profits of £5,548 on a turnover of £3.6m.

Poor weather that led to a drop in Twenty20 Cup attendances, changes to the catering franchise and construction problems and delays on the new Kent Cricket Academy building are all likely sources of mitigation for the county’s disappointing financial return.

The continued success of the club shop and the overall performance of the marketing department do, however, offer plenty of hope for an upturn in 2005.

On the playing front, members will take heart in the fact Kent were the only county to provide three players to the successful England side in Martin Saggers, Rob Key and Geraint Jones.

Yet the subsequent departures of Andrew Symonds, Ed Smith and Alex Loudon is likely to be the subject of debate.

The members may also want their say on winter recruits Darren Stevens and Simon Cook and Andrew Hall, as sole overseas player.

Kent’s acquisition of Martin van Jaarsveld on Kolpak regulations could also attract interest from the membership.

The meeting will also hear the result of the ballot for general committee places as five candidates stood for four vacancies.

Mark Baker White and Laurence Poole are vying to fill places vacated by Mike Denness and Richard Collins, while Graham Johnson, Chris Tavare and George Kennedy stand for re-election.

Kent’s honorary club physician Richard Collins will also be installed as president for 2005/06 to follow the late Brian Luckhurst.

Meanwhile, the county’s decision to take over the running of the 11th Wicket cricket equipment store at St Lawrence is paying early dividends thanks to a surprising source.

The success of Hampshire’s Kevin Pietersen during England’s recent one-day international series against South Africa has led to a run on sales of Woodworm cricket bats, the brand also used by Lancashire and England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff.

Kent’s head of marketing Jon Fordham said: "It’s fair to say that the store has got off to a tremendous start. Sales have exceeded all expectations and we have had to re-stock our range of Woodwoarm bats already.

"In time, it is our intention to open a third shop away from Canterbury to take the Kent County Cricket Club brand into the high street."

The 11th Wicket Store is open from noon until 7pm Monday-Friday and 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.