There are certainly bigger football clubs than Kettering Town, but there are few with quite the colourful history the Poppies can boast. Throughout its 151-year history, Kettering Town has always been a non–league side, but it has often been a pioneer in leading change within the modern game, being the first club to display a sponsor’s name on the shirts, while the appeal of the club witnessed the heady 39 days that saw England legend Paul Gascoigne’s short-lived appointment as manager.
Troubled times followed soon after, but the club fought back thanks to the input of new owner Ritchie Jeune and, after narrowly avoiding insolvency a decade or so ago, the Poppies are now flourishing at their new home at Latimer Park. These days, following Ritchie Jeune’s announcement in May that he was stepping away from the day-to-day running of the club with immediate effect, the club’s future is being overseen by a dedicated management committee and it is hoped that the renewed positivity and optimism for the future will attract a buyer to take the club forward into whatever new chapters lie ahead.
Led by the committee, mainly made up of fans of the club and supporters from the local business community, Kettering Town FC is not only fielding a men’s first team in the Southern League Premier Central Division, but also has a thriving women’s team and a 450-strong youth academy comprising boys and girls from six to 16 years, as well as a walking football squad.
The Education Academy at Latimer Park is housed in a new building to provide a better environment for young players on BTEC Football and Education courses. The facilities include an on-site gym and an education centre.
A club with a long history
Founded in 1872, Kettering Town graduated through 12 different leagues from 1892 until it became a founding member of the Alliance Premier League in 1979. It maintained its status in the top-flight of semi-professional football until 2001.
By that time, it had already boasted some big-name managers including Tommy Lawton back in 1957, Ron Atkinson, who took over in 1973 and Derek Dougan, who arrived in 1975. The club was the first British team to have its initials on the ground’s floodlights.
The club gained recognition with a few memorable FA Cup runs, including a fourth-round tie with Blackburn Rovers in the 1988-89 season, and it made its Sky TV debut in a first-round tie against Plymouth Argyle in the 1994-95 season – but it was the arrival of one of the greats of recent times that really catapulted the Poppies into the national conscience.
The season 2005-06 saw massive changes at Rockingham Road when a consortium of Imran Ladak, Mick Leech and England legend Paul Gascoigne took the reins, with Gazza being installed as first team manager. If it felt like the eyes of the world were on the Poppies, it didn’t last long and just 39 days later Gascoigne left the club.
By 2011, a move to Nene Park, the former home of Rushden and Diamonds, saw the club in financial turmoil and Ritchie Jeune was appointed Chairman. It took a while to steady the ship, including a move to Corby’s Steel Park, and it was the efforts of volunteers, led by Ritchie Jeune, and with the support of the Kettering Town Supporters Trust, that kept the club going.
Those efforts paid off and better seasons followed, and now, with the new management committee in place and the club settled and thriving at Latimer Park, a new owner is being sought.
A new era about to dawn?
Phil Crick, Head of Partnership and Business Development, said:
“Kettering Town FC has an excellent following but we find there are still people in the area who aren’t really aware of the club and where it is today. Since the Rockingham Road ground went, I’m sure there are a lot of people who think the club went with it, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.
“There have been some ups and downs over the past 10 years or so, but we’ve found a solid base now at Latimer Park and the club is doing well. And it’s not only about the men’s first team matches, or the women’s team or academy, but it’s about what this club means to the community.
“Ritchie Jeune pretty much saved the club ten years or so ago, we would almost certainly have gone out of business without him, it went right to the wire. But not only did he secure the future of Kettering Town, he gave it new impetus and the management committee now is working hard to make it about more than football.
“Latimer Park has excellent facilities and there is so much going on around the club. It’s a vibrant part of the community, with all sorts of social clubs and activities using the sports and hospitality facilities, and it has so much more to offer.”
Sponsorship opportunities are available to businesses who want to reach not only the supporters who gather at Latimer Park but also those who organise and attend the many social clubs and events in the hospitality facilities.
“We want to make this a club for the community, to bring all those facilities together and show people what we can offer, and to try to get as many people involved in the club.”
To find out more visit www.ketteringtownfc.com
Mick Coe, Director, Vice Chairperson, Match Day Operations
Poppies supporter since 1969, and has worked behind the scenes in multiple voluntary capacities, since the early 1980s. Joined the Club Board in 2016 and appointed a Statutory Director in 2023. A retired Property Lawyer, having worked in private conveyancing practices locally, and in specialised new Residential Property work with a major house builder, in its in house legal team.
Gary Graham, Director, Social Club & Events Manager
Gary watched his first Kettering Town football game when he was five years old, and never looked back. He’s been watching them for 54 years now; and joined the board 10 years ago and became a Director in May 2023. He now works full time for the club, running the Social Club bar with his wife, Sara.
Ken Samuel, Club President
Ken has supported the club since he was two years old, which is almost 70 years ago. A retired Corporate Banker living now in the West Midlands, Ken has done most things at the club in his lifetime. Ken attends every game and is proud to help the Management Committee to try to bring the good times back to the club.
Graham Starmer, Acting Chairperson
With more than 20 years of experience in the football industry, has developed a broad set of skills and offers expertise in governance, operations, strategic planning, forecasting and growth management. He founded footballcv.com – trading as Football105 – in 2000 with former KTFC Chairman Peter Mallinger, initially providing trials, showcase opportunities, and events for unsigned footballers at Premier League and EFL stadiums.
Ian Hopewell, Club Secretary & Head Grounds Person
Prior to his retirement Ian’s working experience was in chemistry, accountancy and environmental matters. He became more actively involved with football in 2006 when he became the Groundsman at Corby Town, and he became a Director of Corby Town in 2008 under Peter Mallinger. He become a Director at Kettering Town in 2020 where he is Football Secretary, Head Groundsman and Facility Management.
Silvano Geranio, Head of CommercialBorn in Kettering and a lifelong supporter of Kettering Town FC. Local businessman and previous owner of Prestige Park & Leisure Homes that was based in Kettering and Rushden. Joined the club to help create additional revenue that can help support the club through this transitional period with the aim of creating a more sustainable business model.
Doug Brown, Head of Media & Marketing
Vice President of Data and AI specialising in Data Analytics and AI with extensive experience as a Digital transformation consultant at big four IT advisory firms and start-ups using data as a force for good. Lifelong fan of The Poppies and joined the Management Committee in May to assist with the development of the club and the transition to new ownership.
Rob McGreavey, Head of Finance
Lifelong supporter of the Poppies, having been hooked at a young age by the FA Cup run that led to a trip to Charlton Athletic in R4. Rob still lives locally, in Barton Seagrave, and is now a qualified accountant with 20+ years experience across a variety of businesses and industries which give him the ability to help implement improved financial control and planning disciplines within the club.
Phil Wade, Academy Director & Community Trust Manager
Born in Kettering, not far from the former Rockingham Road ground. Phil’s father took him to Poppies matches and he has supported the club ever since. He is proud to now be the Academy Director and Community Trust Manager for his hometown team, promoting the club and building links within Kettering and the surrounding area. More recently, he’s also taken on an additional role, helping with the commercial side of the club.
Phil Crick, Head of Partnerships & Business Development
Supporter of the Poppies for the last 50 years. Born and bred in Desborough. Managing Director of Prosaw Limited, a Kettering company that has sponsored the Poppies over the last 10 years. Since May, Phil has sat on the committee to try to use his business experience, contacts, and passion for the club, to help guide it through the transition period whilst a new owner is being sought.
