Howe departs Poppies as others join

Kettering Town top striker Rene Howe has moved to Peterborough Utd for an 'undisclosed fee' the club announced with Poppies chairman Imraan Ladak explaining the depature of last season's top scorer: "We were receiving offers for Rene throughout the January window and the interest has stepped up since the end of the season. In an ideal world we would have loved to have kept him here but that would have been unfair to Rene - this is a very good move for him. We could not stand in the way of his career and I wish him well. He has been great for us and I hope Peterborough is another stepping stone for him."

The young striker now gets his chance to progress his career in the Football League and had this to say about the Poppies fans during his time at Rockingham Road: "I would like to thank the fans for their support and encouragement last season. They were unbelievable. It's going to be strange playing against Kettering in pre-season but I'm glad I'll get the chance to come back and say goodbye to everyone properly. Everyone knows how much I loved it here but it's a great opportunity for me to further my career and I hope the supporters understand this. I will always be a Kettering fan after the time I spent here."

The vast majority of Poppies fans will certainly be sad to see Howe leave but understand the desire for the young striker to further his career and wish him all the best in the Football League.

Howe's partner up front last season, Craig Westcarr, has finally agreed tearms and will remain at Kettering for the coming season and will be joined by Poppies manager Mark Cooper's latest signing, defender Tom Kemp. The former Lambs defender was under Cooper at Tamworth and joins Kettering from Football Conference outfit Grays Athletic .