Ford is quitting Kent and heading back to South Africa for family reasons

Kent head coach Graham Ford says he intends to maintain close links with the county when he steps down at the end of the season.

The South African is to return to his home country and will be replaced by former assistant coach Paul Farbrace.

"I'll be watching their progress like crazy and rooting for Kent all the time," he told BBC Radio Kent.

"Kent is my county and I've had some fantastic times here. Any way I can help them, I'd love to do that."

"I'll take away some wonderfully memories," he added.

People say I'm pretty strong willed at times, and stubborn, but despite that, we've never really had a falling out. Rob Key on Graham Ford

Speaking after their latest championship win over Derbyshire, Kent captain Rob Key acknowledged the huge impact Ford has had on the county, including guiding them to their third successive Twenty20 Cup finals day this year.

"I think the one thing you want from a coach is someone who is calm and collective, and has got a good cricket brain - which he has," said Key.

"He deals with people brilliantly and in the four years I've been captain I don't think we've ever really disagreed about anything, which is an unbelievable thing.

"People say I'm pretty strong willed at times, and stubborn, but despite that, we've never really had a falling out.

"I haven't always had my own way either.

"He's just spot on all the time."

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