Poppies win at home to Bloods

Kettering Town 1
Droylsden 0

Paul Gascoigne's first match as manager of Kettering Town conincided with an almost full squad to choose from. Brett Solkhon still out, Liam Nicell suffering from a toe injury, but a return to the starting lineup of loan-signing Hugh McAuley, Ollie Burgess back from illness and top scorer Christian Moore who started on the bench for the Poppies.

Kettering finding it difficult against a Droylsden side determined to spoil the party atmosphere and the first 45 minutes came to a close with neither side able to break the deadlock.

Poppies Under 18's through to face Forest in FA Youth Cup

Congratulations to the Under 18's who made it safely through to the next round of the FA Youth Cup where they'll host Nottingham Forest on 9th November. A tough encounter with Coventry Sphinx burst into action when Kettering took the lead just before half-time.

Shortly after the re-start the Poppies youngsters went 2-0 up and added a third with 15 minutes left Coventry pulled a goal back but the Poppies ensured their appearance in the next round was safe and at the final whistle celebrated a deserved victory. (Thanks to Steve Randall for match details).

It's Official - we're under new management!

Kettering Town Football Club was taken over today by a consortium headed by Imraan Ladak and Paul Gascoigne, ending all the rumours and speculation since talks began four weeks ago.

Paul Gascoigne was officially announced as the new manager of the Poppies and the 38 year-old ex-England player commented; "It feels good, I'm excited. I know it's Kettering Town and it isn't Premiership football. But the plans we have worked on with (consortium leader) Imraan Ladak for the past six weeks have been exciting."

"They haven't been in the Football League in 133 years, so that will be one of the main objectives to get this team up there. That will be something for the supporters to look forward to," he said.

"I'm not going to say we'll do it this season or next season, there's a lot we can improve on, whether that's with the players we've got now or the players we bring in."

Six Conference North sides reach 1st Round of FA Cup

Only Six Conference North sides eventually survived to the 1st Round stage of the FA Cup following the four 4th Qualifying Round replays played this week.

Worcester City won their replay against Conference National outfit Accrington Stanley, coming back from a 2-1 half-time deficit to win 3-2 and earn their place in the next round. However, Hucknall Town were routed in the second-half of their replay at Burscough, eventually going down 6-2.

Under 18's 4-0 winners at Bugbrook

Kettering Town under 18's warmed up for their important FA Youth Cup tie with a comfortable 4-0 win away to Bugbrook St Michael. Two goals in each half and another solid defensive display gives them a welcome boost before Wenesday's cup clash.

Takeover Announcement live on Sky Sports News on Thursday?

After several weeks of speculation surrounding the proposed takeover of Kettering Town Football by a consortium headed by Imraan Ladak and Paul Gascoigne, the club looks set to announce the outcome of all the legal eagles deliberations on Thursday before a live TV audience.

The following statement appeared on the Official club website:

"KETTERING TOWN FOOTBALL CLUB ARE PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE A PRESS CONFERENCE.

THIS EVENT IS SCHEDULED FOR 11.15AM THURSDAY 27TH OCTOBER 2005.

DOORS OPEN AT 10.00AM AND IS STRICTLY BY INVITATION ONLY.

FANS ARE REMINDED THAT THE PRESS CONFERENCE WILL BE SHOWN, LIVE, ON SKY SPORTS NEWS (CHANNEL 408) FROM 11.10AM THURSDAY MORNING."

If all goes the way that the majority of the club's supporters are hoping, Kettering Town Football Club will be under new ownership before their next match, at home to Droylsden this Saturday.

Poppies at home to Stevenage Borough in FA Cup 1st Round

Kettering Town were drawn at home to Conference National outfit and old rivals Stevenage Borough in the 1st Round of the FA Cup following today's live draw.

The tie will take place on Saturday 5th November 2005.

FA Cup 1st Round draw shown below in full ..

Poppies comfortably through to FA Cup 1st Round

Kettering Town 3
Gravesend & Northfleet 0
(FA Cup 4Q Round)

Poppies boss Kevin Wilson, already without the suspended Christian Moore, was further hampered with the absence of Junior MacDougald (injured), Ollie Burgess (illness) and Hugh McAuley (cup-tied).

A slow start to the match with both sides settling into the action early. Jamie Paterson broke clear on ten minutes and his long range strike skimmed the top of the crossbar. Neil Midgley working hard in almost a lone striking role, latched on to a through ball and forced the Fleet keeper into a good stretching save on 28 minutes.

Saunders waltzed past two Poppies defenders only to lift his effort over the Kettering crossbar as the rain started to come down. Poppies continued to press forward and Jamie Gould's effort sailed just over the crossbar. An excellent save by Mark Osborn from Sodje's accurately-hit volley on 38 mins. The half-time whistle saw the cup-tie still deadlocked at 0-0.

Stubborn Hucknall deny Poppies in stalemate

Kettering Town 0
Hucknall Town 0

The only change made by Poppies boss Kevin Wilson to the starting lineup from last Saturday was to bring in Stefan Morley in place of James Gould. Neil Midgley partnered Ollie Burgess up front and Hugh McAuley again started alongside Jamie Paterson in midfield.

A goaless first-45 minutes with neither side able to find a way past their opponents solid defensive line and the two sides trooped off to the dressing room still deadlocked at the break.

Poppies 4-0 winners at home over Leigh

Kettering Town 4
Leigh RMI 0

New loan-signing Hugh McAuley was thrust straight into the Poppies starting lineup for the home encounter with Leigh. In the absence of the suspended Christian Moore, Neil Midgley starts up front alongside Ollie Burgess with Chris DiFante on the bench.

Kettering got off to a flying start on 11 minutes when Neil Midgley marked his return to the starting lineup to put the home side 1-0 up. Neither side were able to add to the opening goal in the first-45 minutes and at half-time Kettering remained 1-0 in front.

The second-half continued with both teams trying to make an impact, but it was the home side who struck first again, when on 65 minutes Ollie Burgess stepped up to score from the penalty spot and make it 2-0.

Poppies sign McAuley on loan

Kettering Town have signed midfielder Hugh McAuley on a one month's loan from Conference National outfit Tamworth.

McAuley has a wealth of experience having played for a host of non-league clubs, joining the Lambs from Forest Green Rovers at the start of this season.

McAuley will go straight into the Poppies squad for Saturday's match at Rockingham Road against Leigh RMI.

No confirmation of takeover but Gazza will be new manager

The announcement confirming the takeover of Kettering Town Football Club by a consortium headed by Imraan Ladak and Paul Gascoigne looks likely to be at least another week in the making, due to the legal aspects of the deal between present chairman/owner Peter Mallinger and the proposed new owners.

However, an announcement was made by Mr Ladak regarding the proposed new structure of the club's staff and of particular interest to the supporters was the stated intention to appoint Paul Gascoigne as first team manager.

Poppies 4-0 winners in FA Cup 3rd Qualifying Round Replay

Kettering Town 4
St Albans City 0
(FA Cup 3Q Round Replay)

Kettering Town boss Kevin Wilson will undoubtably be happy to welcome back Poppies captain Derek Brown and midfielder Jamie Paterson who both return from suspension, but will shortly lose top scorer Christian Moore, who starts his three-match suspension later this week.

Kettering kicked-off in determined mood and with a good home support urging them forward they set about securing a place in the 4th Qualifying Round. Ollie Burgess, playing up-front alongside Christian Moore, struck first on 20 mins to raise the noise level on the terrraces and put the Poppies 1-0 up.

Poppies and Saints head for replay in FA Cup

St Albans City 0
Kettering Town 0
(FA Cup 3Q Round)

Kettering Town boss Kevin Wilson selected his team to face St Albans without Poppies captain Derek Brown and influential midfielder Jamie Paterson who are both suspended, but was able to include new signing, defender David Theobald and top scorer Christian Moore, who starts his own three-match suspension next week.

Despite a very lively first-half display from both teams with chances being created at both ends of the pitch, the defences have the upper-hand going into the half-time break, leaving the score still deadlocked at 0-0.

Poppies sign defender from Gulls

Kettering Town have signed 26 year-old defender David Theobald from Conference National outfit Canvey Island, just in time to join the team for their 3rd Qualifying Round FA Cup tie at St Albans City.

The ex-Gulls' defender will help boost a Poppies squad that has recently been weakened through suspensions, notably captain Derek Brown and influential midfielder Jamie Paterson, both out for Saturday's FA Cup tie against the Saints.

Supporters Trust meet soon-to-be new owner of KTFC

Representatives from the Supporters Trust met with Mr Imraan Ladak, who is heading the consortium taking over Kettering Town Football Club, and apparently came away with a very favourable first impression of Mr Ladak and his future plans for the club.

Mr Ladak described the meeting as 'extremely positive' after both parties discussed their desires to see the club move forward towards a return to the Conference followed by entry into the Football League.

He also confirmed that "there will be a minimum of three seats available on the board for the Supporters Trust". The other consortium board members are likely to be publically announced once the transfer of ownership of the club is finalized.

Official announcement from club on takeover

Kettering Town Football Club have today issued an official announcement with regard to the impending takeover of the the club.

This statement from Mr Mallinger appeared on the official website:

"Following the weekend visit to Rockingham Road of Imraan Ladek (sic) and Paul Gascoigne, I have today received an offer for my majority shareholding in the Club and that of Trevor Bennett. There is still work to be done but we are confident a deal will be completed shortly."

Gazza to take over the Poppies ?

It has been widely speculated in recent weeks that Kettering Town Football Club is about to be sold and the latest reports indicate that an announcement will be made by Poppies current chairman and owner Peter Mallinger to that effect.

The buyer for the club is still uncertain but the very strongly favoured candidate to be the new owner is none other than ex-England professional footballer, Paul Gasacoigne.

'Gazza' has already made it clear that he is seeking a career in management and if the expected announcement is confirmed it's unsure what would be his specific role if current Poppies boss Kevin Wilson remains at Rockingham Road.

Moore off - Poppies lose at Northwich

Northwich Victoria 3
Kettering Town 1

Kettering Town boss Kevin Wilson reverted to his more familiar 4-4-2 formation with Chris DiFante the unlucky one of the attacking trio, Ollie Burgess and James Gould returned to the starting lineup and Andy Hall started on the substitutes bench.

Wilson stated mid-week that his side would be going into the game with confidence, but it was the home side who struck the first blow, going 1-0 up after 15 minutes courtesy of a header from John Allan and the Vics held onto their narrow lead going into the half-time break.

If the first 45 minutes was relatively lively, the match certainly exploded into action just before the hour-mark when Poppies top scorer Christian Moore was sent-off. Reduced to ten-men, Kettering's chances of getting back on level terms looked bleak, but Ollie Burgess popped up to score on 69 minutes and take the match into the final quarter all-square at 1-1.

Under 18's through in FA Youth Cup

Kettering's Under 18's are safely through to the next round of the FA Youth Cup following their 1-0 victory over Malvern Town.

Despite the difficult conditions brought about by torrential rain, another excellent defensive performance enabled a single goal to be enough to progress the Poppies youngsters into the next round.

(Thanks to David Gibbs for the update).