Luke Graham brought in on loan

Wilson has brought in 19 year-old defender Luke Graham from Northampton Town to try to help shore up a defence that has recently looked very suspect and leaked ten goals in their four defeats.

Forest Green Rovers striker Mark Danks is still being targeted by Wilson, but the stalling point seems to be agreeing a deal with the Conference National outfit, despite the former Poppies trailist not being able to command a regular spot in Rovers' first team.

Stan Essam

The funeral was held on Monday of lifelong Poppies stalwart Stan Essam, with many of the club's supporters in attendance I'm fairly certain the majority would each have their own fond memories of Stan. My own memories recall an always cheerful and optimistic Stan, whether I met him at the bus stop for away game travel on the supporters coach or spotted him amongst the Poppies faithful after making my own way to the opponents ground.

Stan often had that mischievous look on his face that belied his years, a great majority of them spent with his wife Joan following the club he was devoted to, traveling thousands of miles a season and probably covered most of the country with the Poppies during his lifetime.

Stan will undoubtedly be missed by many fellow Poppies supporters and especially those that traveled on the supporters coach with him to away games, sat near him in the stand at home games or participated in one of his regular Sunday raffles in the social club.

I'm also fairly certain that most of those Poppies supporters will also have their own fond memories and stories to tell about Stan and will undoubtedly also be smiling when they recall them.

Rusty Poppies fall to Robins early strike

Kettering Town 0    Altrincham 1

Kettering's four weeks without a league match was immediately evident as they quickly fell behind after just two minutes at home to Altrincham when Colin Little put the visitors 1-0.

After the early setback, the home side gradually settled into the match and set about getting back on level terms. Unfortunately they struggled to find a way through the visitors solid defence for the remainder of the half and the Poppies went into the half-time break still trailing to the early goal.

Kettering came out for the second-half determined to try and break down the stubborn resistance of the Robins' rearguard but the visitors were just as determined to hold onto their slender 1-0 advantage.

Greetham moves on

After two months at Rockingham Road, Poppies defender Rob Greetham has reluctantly decided to move on, citing work committments making it difficult for the 26 year-old to continue training and playing for the Poppies.

French released by Poppies

Poppies striker Daniel French was released by the club on Tuesday and Kettering Town manager Kevin Wilson also announced there would likely be other changes to his playing squad before the club's next match, an away fixture at struggling Stalybridge Celtic on Saturday 12th February 2005.

French was signed by Wilson from Bedford Town at the end of last season and made 27 appearances for Kettering scoring just twice, Wilson was quoted as saying, "Daniel needs first-team football and that is something he has not been getting, so I felt that releasing him was the best thing to do."

Conference National to increase from 22 to 24 clubs

According to a press release from the Football Conference, the National Conference is to be increased from 22 to 24 clubs for the start of the 2006-07 season. This will be accomplished by promoting two teams from each of the Conference North and South at the end of the 2005-06 season and only relegating two teams from the Conference National.

At the conclusion of the 2006-07 season, four clubs will then be relegated from the National Conference and four clubs promoted, two each from Conference North and South.