Ground duties fall to Peirson

Plans to redevelop the St Lawrence Ground have been hit by the worldwide economic downturn

Andy Peirson has been appointed as Kent’s new ground co-ordinator as part of a major shake-up at Canterbury.

Eight employees, including club groundsman Mike Grantham, have lost their jobs at Kent in an extensive review carried out by the county.

Peirson is a former head groundsman at Beckenham, one of the outgrounds used by the county. He will look after both Beckenham and Canterbury’s St Lawrence Ground.

Paul Millman, Kent chief executive, said: “The last 12 months have proved extremely challenging for the club given the uncertainty in the economy and the unforeseen delays associated with our development plans at the St Lawrence Ground.

“It has been necessary for us to take a long hard look at every aspect of our operation.”

The county hoped the sale of an area behind the pavilion for housing could finance a £7million revamp of the St Lawrence Ground. But the deal to sell the land fell through earlier this month.