2025-2026 League Preview

Poppies in pre-season action

Well it seems a long time since "that" play-off final defeat to Telford where we had victory In our sights to only go and throw it away. It's been another summer of comings and goings at Latimer Park both on the pitch and in the dugout with yet another squad rebuild and a new manager, Simon Hollyhead who joined from league rivals Banbury United to replace the outgoing Richard Lavery.

Hollyhead arrived with hardly a glowing farewell from the Banbury supporters with tales of him being a very unapproachable guy who can be difficult with the media and who has a dull and negative style of football. I have to say having heard media Interviews with Simon and hearing him speak at the recent fans forum, and having a good chat with him after the forum he came across as anything but unapproachable and difficult. And from what I've seen of the side in pre-season the style wasn't dull or negative.

But I always try not to read to much into pre-season. I think some times supporters can read to much into the games and go into the "real stuff" thinking they are going to walk the league after what they have seen or end up scrapping down the bottom end due to some poor pre-season results. It's all about managers looking at his players and players getting fit and use to new systems and new team mates.

The Poppies have lost some really key players from last season. Ben Hart, Connor Johnson, Aaron Powell and Devon Kelly-Evans are four players that have left who would all, for me walk into any team in our division. Three of those (Hart, Johnson, Powell) were key members of the defence and from what I've seen in pre-season they look like they will be missed the most of any of the other departing players. Defensively we have looked a bit shaky, but it is a new defence so you can say they are building an understanding with each game. Powell's replacement, Shane Flynn does look an excellent signing.

Of the other new faces, midfielder Ismael Fatadjo has really impressed. He is very much in the Kelly-Evans mould how he is a proper terrier like midfielder who might be small in statue but loves a tackle and loves to break up play. He however suffered a badly broken arm in the last pre-season friendly and looks like he will be on the side lines for some time. That's a blow as I don't think there are any other midfielders in the squad that play in the style he does.

Up front I think we are blessed, we have for me the best front two in the division. Jamar Loza and Leon Lobjoit are an amazing partnership for this level. Between then they scored 50 goals in this division last season and in pre-season both have been scoring and both look to be building up a useful partnership. With our defence maybe not being the strongest we might have to outscore opponents to win games and Loza and Lobjoit give us a good chance of doing that.

Finally how will the new manager do?, I think one thing is certain he's the complete opposite of Richard Lavery. Lavs was a loud, in your face manager who would pound the touch line almost kicking every ball. Hollyhead I think is a more thinking manager, he's happy to sit back and take in what he's seeing from the team. I can't see him being a tea cup thrower like Lavs but will put his point across in a more controlled way. I just hope he's given a fair chance by the fans. We have a tough first two months of the season on paper and there might be a defeat or two along the way. But we have to stick with it.

My thoughts for the season are I'm not as expectant as I was last season. Last season I thought we could win the league and it was a big disappointment we didn't. I think this season we will fall short of the play-offs although one thing in our favour this season is I don't think there will be the pressure there was on us last season. That will be on the likes of Harborough, Spalding and Real Bedford who are all spending silly money on looking to gain promotion. With that less pressure on us and if we can get a bit more solid defensively then maybe a play-off place can be achieved.  That is not something I'm expecting however

THE IN'S AND OUT'S OVER THE SUMMER

INCOMINGS

Paul White - Goalkeeper (Rushall Olympic)

Leon Lobjoit - Striker (Bedford Town)

George Forsyth - Defender/Midfield (Banbury United)

Connor Stanley - Midfield (Banbury United)

Ismael Fatadjo - Midfield (Leiston)

Josh Humphrey (Banbury United)

Edmond Oppong - Striker (Mickleover)

Shane Flynn - Full-Back (Ballymena United)

Levi Andoh - Defender (York City)

Archie Crowther - Defender (King's Lynn Town) - Loan

Finlay Corrigan - Midfield (Dundee)

OUTGOINGS

Ben Hart (Spalding United)

Connor Johnson (Spalding United)

Aaron Powell (Peterborough United) - End of loan

Alex Gudger (Brackley Town) - End of loan

Dan Jezeph (Rushall Olympic)

Tyree Wilson (Barwell)

Devon Kelly-Evans (Harborough Town)

Sam McLintock (Peterborough Sports)

Kyle Storer (Alvechurch)

Luca Miller (Peterborough Sports)

Jonny Edwards (Hednesford Town)

Holly Heads to Poppies

 

Simon Hollyhead is the New Poppies Boss

 

 

Kettering Town have today announced Simon Hollyhead as the clubs new manager. The 53 year old joins from league rivals Banbury United where his team take four points off The Poppies last season. Simon had been in charge of The Puritans for a year.

Simon who holds a UEFA Pro-License has held assistant manager roles with Swedish club Malmo, Norwegian club SK Brann and Odense in Denmark. On his return to England he had a spell with Stevenage as assistant manager as Boro made the league two play-offs. Simon is a member of the League Managers Association from which he has a diploma in Football Management. 

Poppies annouce Retained List

 

Kia Fifield is staying at Latimer Park

Kettering Town have today released their retained list for the 2025/26 season. As expected a number of last seasons squad have left the football club. Here at the details....

Confirmed as signing for other clubs

Dan Jezeph (Rushall Olympic)

Connor Johnson (Spalding United)

Tyree Wilson (Barwell)

Players leaving the club as free agents

Ben Hart

Devon Kelly-Evans

Sam McLintock

Nile Ranger

Offers for the 2025/26 season made to

Luca Miller

Wes York

Andi Thanoj

Kyle Storer

Options taken on

Kai Fifield

Invited back for pre-season training

Lewis White

Tyrell Pennant

Loan players returning to their parent clubs

Alex Gudger

Aaron Powell

Finley Wilkinson

Players contracted for the 25/26 season

Jonny Edwards

Callum Powell

Jamar Loza

New Signing

Paul White

White is right for Poppies

 

Goalkeeper Paul White has re-signed for The Poppies. The 30 year old Irishman re-joins from Rushall Olympic having left Kettering in July 2020 to join Hereford. White first arrived at Latimer Park in September 2016 following a brief spell with Accrington Stanley. 

Paul made 157 appearances in his first spell at Latimer Park, keeping 52 clean sheets and also saving nine penalties. He was also a key member of the 2018/19 Southern League Premier Division Central title winning side. After leaving Hereford Paul had spells with St Ives Town, Peterborough Sports and Coalville Town and last season made 43 appearances for Rushall in National League North.

 2024-25 KETTERING TOWN PLAYER STATISTICS

PLAYER APPERANCES (ALL COMPS)

• Aaron Powell (50)
• Ben Hart (48)
• Dan Jezeph (48)
• Connor Johnson (44)
• Wes York (41)
• Tyree Wilson (39)
• Devon Kelly-Evans (39)
• Andi Thanoj (39)
• Nile Ranger (38)
• Isiah Noel-Williams (35)
• Jonny Edwards (32)
• Lewis White (32)
• Kai Fifield (30)
• Luca Miller (30)
• Harlain Mbayo (22)
• Terell Pennant (20)
• Alex Gudger (17)
• Gary Stohrer (17)
• Sam McLintock (17)
• Dan Jarvis (15)
• Kyle Storer (10)
• Sidik Atcha (8)
• Bruno Andrade (8)
• Jamar Loza (8)
• Remaye Campbell (7)
• Gary Hooper (7)
• Marvin Sordell (5)
• Callum Powell (4)
• Finley Wilkinson (3)
• Jason Alexander (3)
• Kombe Kawimbe (2)
• Daniel Emovon (1)
• Jack Thompson (1)
• Declan Towers (1)

GOALSCORERS (All Comps)

• Jonny Edwards (13)
• Nile Ranger (12)
• Isiah Noel-Williams (11)
• Kia Fifield (7)
• Wes York (7)
• Luca Miller (6)
• Dan Jarvis (5)
• Connor Johnson (4)
• Terell Pennant (4)
• Lewis White (3)
• Jamar Loza (3)
• Devon Kelly-Evans (2)
• Tyree Wilson (2)
• Gary Stohrer (1)
• Callum Powell (1)
• Andi Thanoj (1)
• Ben Hart (1)
• Gary Hooper (1)
• Aaron Powell (1)

Match Preview and a close look at both sides ahead of Wednesday Night's big clash

 

THE POPPIES v THE BEES

On Wednesday night Kettering Town welcome Harborough Town to Latimer Park for the Semi-Final of the Southern League Premier Division Central Play-offs. Both sides will be looking to book a place in the final on Bank Holiday Monday (May 5th) against either AFC Telford United or Halesowen Town who also meet on Wednesday night at The New Bucks Head. The match must be decided on the night with Extra-Time and penalties if necessary.

 

Below we look at both Kettering and Harborough's seasons as well as looking at our opponents a little closer

Key Seasonal Stats

 

KETTERING TOWN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final League Position: 2nd

Season Record: P.42 W.22 D.11 L.9 GF.73 GA.44 PTS.77

Form (Last 5 Games): DWWWD

Top League Scorer: Jonathan Edwards (13)

Most League Apperances: Aaron Powell (41)

Most Starts - Aaron Powell (41)

Biggest League Win: 4-0 v Spalding United (H)

Biggest League Defeat: 1-3 v Bedford Town (A)

Longest Unbeaten Run: 10 Games (9th September - 9th December)

Longest Winless Run: 4 Games (28th December - 1st February)

Highest Attendance: 2093 v Bedford Town

Lowest Attendance: 859 v Alvechurch

Average Attendance: 1264

 

HARBOROUGH TOWN 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Final League Position: 5th

Season Record: PLD.42 W.20 D.11 L.11 GF.65 GA.42 PTS.71

Form (Last 5 Games): WWWLD

Top League Scorer: Ben Stephens (21)

Most League Apperances: Josh Walsh (42)

Most Starts: Josh Walsh (42)

Biggest League Win: 5-1 v AFC Sudbury (A)

Biggest League Defeat: 1-4 v St Ives Town (A)

Longest Unbeaten Run: 10 Games (1st February - 12th April)

Longest Winless Run: 4 Games (26th October - 23rd November)

Highest Attendance: 1500 v Kettering Town

Lowest Attendance: 239 v Spalding United

Average Attendance: 514 

 

Last Time We Met....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wednesday January 1st 2025

Harborough Town 2 (Stephens 28,40) Kettering Town 1 (Fifield 39)

Att: 1500 

 

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

 

PLAYED: 2

POPPIES WINS: 0

HARBOROUGH WINS: 1

DRAWS: 1

POPPIES GOALS: 2

HARBOROUGH GOALS: 3

 

PLAYED FOR BOTH CLUBS

 

Soloman Akinshade

Sidik Atcha

Nathan Bobowicz

Joel Carta

Jordon Crawford

Liam Dolman

Rhys Hoenes

Ethan Johnston

Connor Kennedy

Robbie Maddox

Paul Malone

Jamie March

Jamie McAlindon

Luca Miller

Rudy Misambo

Gary Mulligan

Kai O'Keefe

Silvano Obeng

Taras Petranyuk

Michael Shamalo

Brett Solkhon

Ben Stephens

Patrick Noubissie

 

ABOUT HARBOROUGH TOWN FC

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nickname: The Bees

Club Colours: Yellow and Black

Stadium: Bowden Park

Capacity: 2400

Pitch Type: 4g

Manager: Mitch Austin

Assistant Manager: David Staff

Coach: Owen Wright

Captain: Connor Kennedy

 

THE BEES SQUAD

 

Dempsey Arlott-John (Forward)

Jutorre Burgess (Midfield)

Riley Cole-O'Sullivan (Forward)

Daniel Cooper (Defender)

Jordon Crawford (Forward)

Sandro Cordeiro (Midfield)

Liam Dolman (Defender)

Daniel Forbes (Midfield)

Gene Ghag (Goalkeeper)

Connor Kennedy (Midfield)

Paul Malone (Defender)

Robert Morgan (Midfield)

Alex Morris (Defender)

Gary Mulligan (Defender)

Freddie Robinson (Midfield)

Luis Rose (Forward)

Ben Starkie (Midfield)

Ben Stephens (Forward)

Elliott Taylor (Goalkeeper)

Joshua Walsh (Midfield)

Ben Williams (Defender)

 

 

Poppies in the play-offs

 

So on Wednesday night The Poppies will play Harborough Town in the Southern League Premier Division Central Play-Off Semi-Final. It will be Kettering's fifth time taking part in the play-offs and let's hope it's a better outcome than the previous four times where the Poppies have failed to gain promotion each time. 

Here is a look at the results and line-ups from those previous four play-off campaigns 

Monday May 2nd 2005 - Conference North/South Play-Off Quarter-Final

Droylsden 1 (Banham)

Kettering Town 2 (Burgess, Danks)

Att - 1192

Poppies Team

1.M.Osborn

2.M.Matthews

3.J.Gould

4.L.Graham

5.D.Brown

6.C.McIlwain

7.O.Burgess

8.B.Solkhon

9.R.Gould

10.C.DiFante

11.W.Diuk

Subs - J.Bewers, M. Danks, S.Cross, S.Morley S.McCafferty

Saturday May 7th 2005 - Conference North/South Play-Off Semi-Final

Kettering Town 2 (Paterson, Burgess)

Altrincham 3 (Owen (2), Matthews (og)

Att: 2237

Poppies Team

1.M.Osborn

2.M.Matthews

3.J.Gould

4.B.Solkhon

5.D.Brown

6.D.Graham

7.O.Burgess

8.J.Paterson

9.R.Gould

10.C.DiFante

11.W.Diuk

Subs - C.McIlwain, S.Cross, M.Danks, J.Bewers, S.McCafferty

Wednesday May 7th 2007 - Nationwide Conference North - Play-Off Semi-Final 1st Leg

Farsley Celtic 1 (Reeves)

Kettering Town 1 (Solkhon)

Att: 1621

Poppies Team

1.M.Osborn

2.J.Dempster

3.D.Perpetuini

4.D.Theobald

5.C.McIlwain

6.N.Peprah

7.A.Boucaud

8.B.Solkhon

9.R.Howe

10.JP.Marna

11.C.Westcarr

Subs - L.Graham, A.Hall, D.Caskey, C.Seanla, N.Bussey

Saturday May 5th 2007 - Nationwide Conference North - Play-Off Semi-Final 2nd Leg

Kettering Town 0

Farsley Celtic 0

(Farsley Celtic win 4-2 on pen)

Att: 2033

Poppies Team

1.M.Osborn

2.J.Dempster

3.DPerpetuini

4.LGraham

5.CMcIlwain

6.N.Peprah

7.A.Boucaud

8.BSolkhon

9.R.Howe

10.JP.Marna

11.A.Hall

Subs - D.Theobald, D.Caskey, C.Seanla, M.Olaleye, N.Bussey

Tuesday April 29th 2014 - Southern League Division One Central - Play-Off Semi-Final

Kettering Town 1 (Eze)

Daventry Town 0

Att: 1446

Poppies Team

1.A.Worby

2.J.Clifton

3.S.Kinniburgh

4.AGooding

5.H.Eze

6.T.Hull

7.J.Thorpe

8.J.Jepson

9.E.Sandy

10.J.Moreman

11.C.Logan

Subs - L.Hamilton, A.Fuller, J.Bukasa, D.Ogbonna, A.Osei-Siribour

Monday May 5th 2014 - Southern League Division One Central - Play-Off Final

Kettering Town 2 (Logan, Eze)

Slough Town 3 (Dyer (2), McClurg)

Att: 2331

Poppies Team

1.A.Worby

2.J.Clifton

3.S.Kinniburgh

4.A.Gooding

5.H.Eze

6.T.Hull

7.J.Thorpe

8.J.Jepson

9.E.Sandy

10.J.Moreman

11.C.Logan

Subs - D.Ogbonna, J.Bukasa, A.Fuller, L.Hamilton, A.Osei-Siribour

Wednesday May 2nd 2018 - Southern League Premier Division - Play-Off Semi-Final

Slough Town 3 (Dobson 2, Coles)

Kettering Town 1 (O’Connor)

Poppies Team

1.P.White

2.K.Thomas

3.B.Toseland

4.M.Richens

5.G.Mulligan

6.O.Pendley

7.L.Meikle

8.A.O’Connor

9.R.Howe

10.M.Stevens

11.R.Hoenes

Subs - G.Stohrer B.Milnes, L.Bateman, T.Marshall, W.Carvalho

So the play-offs it is

 

Action from Saturday's 2-2 draw with Banbury

So in the end it didn't really matter what the result at Bedford was as The Poppies were unable to do what we needed to do after a late goal from Tai Fleming saw Banbury United leave Latimer Park with a point from a 2-2 draw. Myself, I wasn't to downbeat as I'd pretty much accepted a play-off place and had given up on us winning the league title weeks ago. I do think we threw it away as it was in our hands for so long but you have to give full credit to Bedford Town because league tables do not lie so they are worthy champions.

I do think that had Bedford been losing we would have won Saturday's game. At 2-1 in front we were pretty comfortable but once news came through that Bedford were 2-0 in front and it was clear it was the play-offs for us Lav's rightly began to make subs, using all five with Wednesday night's play-off game in mind. Taking off Jamar Loza who single handedly ripped the Banbury defence apart definitely helped let Banbury back into the game. From the first minute in his first game six games ago Loza has been a class above and I honestly do think had we signed him a month or two earlier it would be The Poppies celebrating a league title. But we didn't, and we find ourselves in the lottery that is the play-offs.

And our opponents in the play-off semi-final is Harborough Town. A club seventeen and a bit miles up the road and one that like Kettering have a very big wage budget but that fact never seems to get mentioned about them. Some in the Harborough camp may try and fool you with the "Little old Harborough Town" line and make out that them reaching the play-offs is some kind of football miracle but with the signings and the budget they have they should be making the play-offs.

One thing is for sure though, They are a good side with a number of players that are excellent at this level. They are well coached by assistant manager David Staff and the manager Mitch Austin, the one time Poppies assistant manager has built a great team spirit. They are the form side in the division who since boxing day have lost only two games out of twenty-two fixtures. Form like that you could possibly say makes them favourites for the game, although they will try and play that down.

Whilst The Poppies performances since the New Year have been no where near the level that they were pre 2025 we have only lost two of our last sixteen games. We have players that can win a game on their own and Harborough will know that. When we get the ball down and play we are a good side, We have gone with a more direct, compact style of play over the past couple of months but its still brought in the results and we all know that if we turn up, we can beat anyone in this division comfortably. Wednesday night will not be easy but neither should it be a fixture we should fear.

Our history in the play-offs is poor. Four times we have taken part in them over the years and not once have we gained promotion. Defeats to Altrincham, Farsley Celtic and Slough Town (twice) will still no doubt be in the mind of many Poppies fans. But in truth those games and in fact this seasons games and form don't really count for anything going into Wednesday. It's a one off, winner takes all type of game, their will be pressure and nerves from both sides. Whoever wins will be the one's that hold their nerves the better. 

It all comes down to Saturday......

 

Will the Poppies faithful be celebrating a championship win on Saturday?

At 5pm on Saturday Kettering Town will either be champions of the Southern League Premier Division Central or will be in the lottery that is the end of season play-offs. Let's be honest the odds of The Poppies winning the title are low, first we have to beat a Banbury United side that not only have the best defensive record in the division but also have a number of former Poppies players in their squad that will no doubt want to get one over their former club. Then secondly we have to hope Bedford Town do something that they have not done since February 4th and lose a game. The Eagles are at home to 9th placed Stourbridge who themselves are in good form having lost only once in their last nine games.

So whilst the chances are a league title looks a long shot it is still mathematically achievable and there will be far more pressure on Bedford to win their game than Kettering to win ours. Anything is possible in football, just look back at the 2001/02 season when Tamworth were in the driving seat for the title and like on Saturday it went down to the final game of the season, Kettering won at Tiverton and Tamworth slipped up at Folkstone and the rest is now history.

The season as a whole has been one of many ups and downs. Before Christmas The Poppies were beating teams almost at ease and sat at the top of the table and it did look like a case of not if but when the title would be won. But in the first nine games of 2025 The Poppies picked up just three wins and that allowed others to take advantage. Whilst there has only been one defeat in the last 11 games the four draws in that run of fixtures will probably be what see's the title heading to Bedford and not Latimer Park.

What if the referee had not played Five minutes over the original six minutes at Stamford that saw them equalize with almost the last kick (well head) of the game. But on the other side of the coin what if we hadn't scored a 93rd minute goal against Telford or scored twice in the 90th minute against Hitchin. All if's, but's and maybe's now but I myself can't help thinking we have kind of thrown the title, that's been in our own hands for large parts of the season away. 

Saying that, It's been a season that has been a million times more enjoyable than the disaster last season when a second relegation looked a real possibility. There has been some up's and down's with Lavs over the season, some odd decisions but also some very brave one's and overall I think he's done a decent job this season. 

So If it's a league title at 5pm on Saturday then lets party and celebrate. But if it's a play-off place then let's stick with the lads as they will need us more than ever. We can't be away in any play-off fixtures so we have to play our part on the Latimer Park terraces to help the lads do their part on the pitch.

UP THE POPPIES!!   

Late goal see's Poppies pegged back

 

Aaron Powell scored his first goal in a Poppies shirt

STAMFORD 1 KETTERING TOWN 1

They say that football can even itself out and that was most certainly the case yesterday for Kettering Town. A week earlier it was The Poppies that had the joy of an injury-time equalizer to earn a point against AFC Telford United. Fast forward seven days and it was our turn to feel the pain Telford felt last week when Stamford scored in the tenth minute of injury time to take a point that in truth they never looked like earning at any point in the game.

There was good numbers made the short trip to the game, I'd say easily 700 poppies made up a seasons best attendance for Stamford of 1237. The match itself wasn't a classic, mainly due to a heavy wind blowing down the pitch. For almost all the match whilst not being spectacular The Poppies were in control of the game and Stamford never looked a threat to Kettering goal except long balls into the box that were well dealt with all afternoon by Johnson, Gudger and Jezeph.

We actually started the game well, New signing Jamar Loza looked lively on the left wing and he earned an assist on his debut as he played in Aaron Powell and as defenders backed off Aaron took the ball forward before hitting a low strike into the net. Fitting reward for The Poppies best player on the afternoon and also his first goal for the club. Wes York and Sam McLintock both had chances to extend the lead but couldn't and as the half-time whistle blew the Poppies went off deservedly in front and looking comfortable. 

The second half saw us playing with the strong wind behind us, unfortunately we decided to play a long ball game and this simply wasn't working as the wind was simply carrying the ball through. Stamford were seeing more of the ball but that was mainly playing simple passes along the back four before going long and like the first half Kettering never looked in any danger. The actual second half was in truth a bit of a non event, well that was until the match entered injury time. 

A very generous looking six minutes were added and the referee (who was poor throughout) found another four minutes from somewhere on top of that. Stamford won a corner in the last of those four minutes and the corner was put over to the back post and headed in with basically their only attempt in the whole game. Video's of the goal from behind the goal since show the goal probably should not have stood for a clear foul on Jezeph, but there was no way a referee as weak as the one in the middle yesterday was going to rule it out.

The game re-started and just seconds later full-time was blown. It was most definitely two points dropped against a very average Stamford side. But you can't complain because as was said the boot was on the other foot last week. The OTT celebrations by the Stamford players and management staff at full-time again just showed we are the big fish in this league and how every team we face it's a cup final to them. I don't think I've seen celebrations for a point quite like the one's Stamford showed at full-time yesterday. Still if they are that happy with a point when really they needed three for their own play-off push then good luck to them.

For us, Myself I thought the title had gone weeks ago and after yesterday I think that's pretty much certain now. We have five games left that on paper we should be winning all five. But form and performances since Christmas doesn't make me feel confident that will happen. But if the title isn't won by us we have to look at second place to allow us to play all play-off games at Latimer Park because in the play-offs you need every advantage possible. 

Full-Time: Stamford 1 Kettering Town 1

Kettering Town Team

1.Dan Jezeph

2.Ben Hart

3.Aaron Powell

4.Devon Kelly-Evans

5.Connor Johnson (c)

6.Alex Gudger

7.Wes York (Sub Kai Fifield)

8.Andi Thanoj (Sub Kyle Storer)

14.Sam McLintock (Sub Luca Miller)

18.Jonny Edwards (Sub Nile Ranger)

20.Jamar Loza (Sub Lewis White)

Bookings: Jezeph, Storer, Hart

Att: 1237

#UTP KTFC Man of The Match: Aaron Powell

Poppies add two on dealine day

 

Jamar Loza joins from Leiston

Yesterday saw the Southern League's registration deadline and Poppies manager Richard Lavery swooped to add the the forward line at Latimer Park. Striker Jamar Loza signed from league rivals Leiston and forward Tate Xavier-Jones joined on loan from Luton Town.

JAMAR LOZA

A vastly experienced striker 30 year old Jamar has scored 24 goals for Leiston in all competitions this season.  In just under two seasons with The Blues he scored 44 goals including a superb goal in the 2-2 draw at Latimer Park last season. Loza began his career with Norwich City and had loan spells in the football league with Coventry City, Leyton Orient, Southend United, Yeovil Town and Stevenage whilst at Carrow Road. In October 2016 he joined Maidstone United before spells with Woking, Barnet, King's Lynn Town and Dartford prior to joining Leiston in July 2023. Jamar is also a full Jamaican International having won four caps for The Raggae Boyz. This is a signing of real intent from The Poppies as the race for promotion enters its final month.

Tate Xavier-Jones arrives from Luton

TATE XAVIER-JONES

The second arrival at Latimer Park yesterday was 18 year old forward Tate Xavier-Jones who joins on loan from Sky Bet Championship side Luton Town. He joined his home town club aged six and is now a regular goal scorer in the Under 18 and Under 21 sides at Kenilworth Road. A quick, powerful and hardworking player who can play through the middle or out wide Tate should add creativity to the Poppies front line for the run in.

Away Fans Guide to Latimer Park

 

Saturday see's the big top of the table clash at Latimer Park as AFC Telford United visit. With The Bucks expected to bring a healthy following with them here is a quick guide to Kettering Town FC, Latimer Park and the surrounding areas.

STADIUM ADDRESS

Kettering Town Football Club

Powell Lane

Burton Latimer

Northamptonshire

NN15 5PS

DIRECTIONS

By Car: Leave the A14 at junction 10 and take the A6 towards Bedford. At the next roundabout take the second exit towards Latimer Business Park (the football ground is signposted from here). At the next roundabout take the third exit (signposted Station Road Industry). Follow the round round passing the Morrisons Distribution Centre on the left and the the Weetabix factory on the right. The entrance to Latimer Park is the a short way further down on the left. There is a large car park at the ground.

By Train: Kettering Railway station is just over three miles away from Latimer Park. Outside the station is a taxi rank. The Station is served by trains from London St Pancras and Nottingham.

By Bus: Stage Coach Buses run to Latimer Park from Kettering Town centre. Buses can be caught from the Interchange in Horsemarket from Stand 13. Bus 50 to Bedford will take you directly past the football ground. These depart from Horsemarket on the hour. Return journeys pick up at the stop opposite the ground and are at every 46 minutes past the hour.

PUBS AND BARS 

If you want any pre-match refreshments there is a social club at the football ground. It has a good selection of beers, ciders and ales. It is situated outside of the main entrance to the ground.

In the town of Kettering itself there is a Wetherspoons (The Earl of Dalkeith) and other pubs including The Rising Sun, The Stitching Pony and The Peacock. In the town of Burton Latimer there are two pubs both around a 10/15 minute walk from the ground. The Olde Victoria opens at 12 noon and The Dukes Arms opens at 14:00.

FOOD OUTLETS

Refreshments will be available inside the ground. Outside of the ground in the Fan Zone is an excellent pizza van that sells freshly cooked stone baked pizza and other dishes.

AFC Telford United supporters will be housed at the "Morrisons" end of the stadium. Pictured below you will see the seated stand that is for Telford supporters as well as the terracing to the left of the stand. The match is fully segregated and any Telford supporter found to be in the home section of the stadium will be removed and may be refused re-entry to the ground.

 

The Morrisons end of Latimer Park