At the start of 2024, Kettering Town FC was a club looking for a new owner, being run by a committee of dedicated volunteers who had high hopes but very little certainty as to what the future might hold at Latimer Park.
Now, as we near the end of the year, high hopes barely covers the progress that has been made – with new owners in place, a fantastic FA Cup win over League One neighbours Northampton Town that was broadcast live on national television, and another live TV game, this time a Second Round tie with Doncaster Rovers that was broadcast from Latimer Park itself.
George Akhtar took over as the club’s new owner in the summer and brought in former professional Fabian Forde as Director of Football. With the men’s first team about to embark on the new season in the Southern League Premier Central Division, George was confident that, given what there was to work with, his five-year goal of taking the club into the National League was more than just a pipe dream.
At the time, George said:
“If we get pre-season right and get off to a good start then we could be at least flirting with the play-offs this season.”
By November, Kettering Town were sitting at the top of the league table, attendances were improving and confidence was high, especially after a famous win against local league rivals.
Off the pitch, as well, much has been done to bring club and community together. George’s sisters, Naheed Shears and Nadiya Akhtar, have taken up the roles of Commercial Manager and Commercial Director respectively, and there are plans in motion to continue to develop what are already impressive facilities at Latimer Park.
The ground’s social club and club1872 both play a part in providing match-day hospitality options, and are also used by clubs and for social events throughout the year. The club has hosted a beer festival and an open day for sponsors and fans already this year, while Christmas promises to be a busy time for family, friends and businesses looking to get into the festive spirit.
Lifestyle Personal Training, a new gym that supports the fitness training and wellbeing of the players, also runs a range of classes that anyone can join.
Naheed said:
The club relies on the support of sponsors and fans and I’m committed to ensuring that these partnerships continue to grow. Attendances at matches are going up, we’re regularly getting more than 1,000 people in the ground now, which is a great opportunity for businesses to promote themselves through advertising, and at the same time local people are coming to the club and using its facilities for all kinds of reasons”.
“We’re looking forward to continuing to build relationships with the people and businesses around us and make this a real hub for community engagement.”
Phil Crick, a former member of the management committee, said:
We always knew the club had an excellent following – and a great history – but at the beginning of the year we were just hopeful of a new owner coming in and injecting new impetus, and that’s what we got”.
“It’s been a fantastic year, George and his team are making a real difference, and the future looks very bright at Kettering Town FC.”
Find out more about Kettering Town FC at their website here.
