Poppies in jeopardy

Fears are growing for the future of Kettering Town with a takeover announced last week by Cambridge-based Weymouth owner George Rolls yet to go through.  Rolls is reported to be running out of patience with Kettering chairman Imran Ladak.

Fears are growing for the future of Kettering Town with a takeover announced last week by Cambridge-based Weymouth owner George Rolls yet to go through.  Rolls is reported to be running out of patience with Kettering chairman Imran Ladak.


Prospects had looked bright at the beginning of last week with a deal struck with Revenue and Customs to avert a winding up petition.   An advance of sponsorship money from ID Medical enabled an agreement to be reached with the tax authorities over a debt thought to be around £30,000.  A lump sum was paid with eight weeks given to pay the outstanding amount.


Nevertheless, total debts are estimated to be around £300,000.   The players and staff are owed at least two months’ wages and were supposed to be getting part payment from gate receipts but the two games last week were postponed.   That against AFC Telford would have had to go ahead behind closed doors anyway as the Poppies have missed successive deadlines to pay outstanding bills to Northamptonshire Police.