Poppies sign Fewings

Kettering have signed striker Paul Fewings ready for the start of the new season to boost their attacking options. The 25 year-old striker started his career at Hull City and then moved on to Hereford Utd where he was joint top scorer before moving to Boston Utd.

After a brief loan spell at Kingstonian, he moved to Chesham Utd, Billericay Town and the latter part of the season at Bishop's Stortford so he should at least already be familiar with most of the opposition teams in the Rymans.

Paul's thoughts on his move to Rockingahm Road: "There is no doubt the club is desperate to get back into the Conference at the first attempt and the manager looks as if he's putting together an exciting side. I only hope I can justify his faith in me and I can play my part in helping them do just that.

I know several of the players he has brought in and feel I also know the Rockingham Road set-up well already. He has a number of good young players here and if my experience will assist them then I'm happy with that."

Poppies boss Dominic Genovese commented: "I'm delighted Paul has joined us, he has a vast amount of experience at a number of levels and I'm sure he's going to be a big asset. He's just the man we need to bring out the best in our youngsters and I'm looking forward to working closely with him."

Bryco cup draw

Kettering have been drawn away in the Second Round of the Bryco Cup competition (the equivalent of the league cup) and will play the winners of the First Round tie between Dorking and Worthing.

No dates have been announced yet as to when the tie is scheduled to take place.

Diuk returns to the fold

The club announced today that Wayne Diuk had re-signed for Kettering ready for the start of the coming season despite manager Dominic Genovese stating recently that he had 'discounted him from his plans'.

The player apparently had a 'clear the air' meeting with the Poppies boss and the outcome was a return to the fold for the 23 year-old who has so far made 179 appearances and scored seven goals for Kettering after coming to Rockingham Road from Gedling Town under previous Poppies boss Peter Morris in the summer of 1999.

Genovese stated, "I am pleased to have Wayne back. Although still only 23 he has had a vast amount of experience, can play in a variety of positions and knows the club well."

Diuk added, "I am glad we have everything sorted out now. I have always enjoyed my time at Rockingham Road even though we have had some ups and downs. I am looking forward to getting back to pre-season training and setting about trying to regain our Conference position. The fans have always been great and it would be nice to repay them for all their support."

It hasn't yet been made clear what type of contract or even what terms Diuk has been signed on by Poppies' boss Genovese.

Purfleet change name to Thurrock

Ryman Premier League side Purfleet FC have formerly changed their name to Thurrock FC ready for the start of the new season the club announced today; "A decision has been made by the Directors and Committee of Purfleet Football Club with immediate effect to change the name of the Club to Thurrock Football Club."

They then went on to explain the reasons for the name change; "The club is situated a few miles away from the town of Purfleet but in the Borough of Thurrock. The main reasons for the name change are, the club’s ground is the Thurrock Hotel and the club’s main sponsor is Lakeside Shopping Centre, which is synonymous with the name 'Thurrock'.

The club also hopes that by a change of name it will attract more supporters and also lead to wider sponsorship. The club is proud to have had the name Purfleet for the last eighteen years and proud of what it has achieved under this name. It now looks forward to further achievements under its new name."

FA Cup prize money reduced by £2m

The total prize money for the FA Cup this season has been reduced by £2m to £10,698,250 and that means dramatically reduced prize money for the earlier rounds as follows:

The good news however, for Non-league clubs, is that the FA Trophy prize money has been increased from £225,000 to £631,000, distributed through-out the rounds.

Early-season FA Cup entry for Poppies - dates published

Following their relegation from the Conference last season, Kettering will now be entering the FA Cup two rounds earlier this season, at the Second Qualifying Round stage on Saturday 27th September 2003.

Early-season FA Cup entry for Poppies

Following their relegation from the Conference last season, Kettering will now be entering the FA Cup two rounds earlier this season, at the Second Qualifying Round stage.

Kettering Town have added Peterborough Utd to their list of preseason friendlies, a full list of matches will appear nearer the time.

Niall Inman explains reasons for leaving

After the recent statement by the club that Wayne Diuk and Niall Inman were being released, Poppies manager Dominic Genovese commented, "I offered both players terms for next season but neither player has responded as I would have wished. Niall is talking of going to Welling while Wayne has failed to respond to my calls. I have therefore discounted them both from my plans".

Following the club's announcement Niall Inman decided to explain his reasons for leaving Rockingham Road to the club's supporters:

"After winning the Southern League I really had high hopes for the following season in the conference. I was sure we had a good enough squad to stay up and maybe even push for a play-off place. For financial reasons we had to release a number of players which obviously didn't help. The situation seemed to get worse and worse. Our wages were getting cut more and more and the results were getting worse.

I had the chance to leave mid-way through the season but I love the club and was determined to stick it out and help Kettering avoid the drop. I always worked hard on the pitch and would never give up. It was soul destroying getting beaten each week and I would feel so bad for the fans who were brilliant each week.

The fans at Kettering have been really supportive of me since I first came to the club and I owe it to them all to explain my reasons for not re-signing next season. When the season finished I really wanted to stay with Kettering where I feel so at home with the players, coaching staff, the Board and fans. I'd stayed at the Kettering despite having the chance to leave, accepted it when we didn't get paid and never complained and always gave it my best on the pitch.

A couple of players were offered a contract at the end of the season but I was offered a non-contract and it was explained that I'd also have to accept a cut in wages. A non-contract would mean that the club can release me any time like what happened with Chris Perkins, Brad Piercewright, Dale Watkins etc.

I can accept a cut in wages because I understand the financial problems at the club but I feel the least the club could do for me is to offer a contract after the loyalty I showed them last season. I'm at college and have no other income apart from my football wage so security is very important for me.

I get on really well with Dominic and Peter Mallinger and wish the club all the best for next season. All I wanted was a chance to explain to the fans why I won't be with the club next season. Hopefully you all understand my reasons."