CEO Jamie Clifford is confident that Kent have put together a squad that can compete across all forms of the game in 2014.

Clifford has overseen a number of new faces making their way into the squad for 2014. David Griffiths has joined from Hampshire, Mitch Claydon signed a permanent deal from Durham, having been on loan for a portion of last season, and Australian international Doug Bollinger has joined as the club’s overseas signing for the season.

“It’s a stage of the year where pre-season has gone well and I think there is a nice buzz about the place” said the CEO when KSN caught up with him on the club’s media day.

“I think we feel we have put together a group of players and support staff that should be competitive. There’s a real focus amongst the group on getting out there and winning games. People ask “what are our ambitions at this time of year” – I think they are as simple as seeing our group of players perform as well as they can do and win as many games as they can.”

As well as working on improving the squad and playing side of things over the winter, Clifford has also been involved in a lot of work off the pitch, including plenty of refurbishment around The Spitfire Ground, St Lawrence.

“We had a pretty dramatic facelift with the redevelopment works, but the storms over the winter caused some quite considerable damage to some of the roofs and we’ve had some pretty major leaks in the ground as well, so we’re putting all those right”, the chief executive explained.

“We’re about to refurbish every seat in the ground back to a high standard, so I think when people come to the ground this season, they will notice a difference visually – everything will look smart and ready-to-go. I think those things are important.

“Having pride in your ground and your facilities knocks on to the players – if we have pride in the ground and present it in the best possible way, I think the players will have pride in playing for Kent and a real “care factor” around what it means to play for Kent and wanting the club to do well.”

Clifford also disclosed the fact that overseas signing Doug Bollinger will be with the squad in time for Kent’s opening LV= Division Two County Championship game at Worcestershire, starting on Sunday 13 April.

“He’s gone back to Australia, actually [after the World T20]. He was halfway here in Bangladesh, but obviously they [Australia] got knocked out the World T20 so he’s gone back to Australia for a few days to spend some time with the family, prior to flying out in time for the first game at Worcester.”