Kettering Town Football Club, nicknamed “The Poppies,” is a non-league football club based in Kettering, Northamptonshire.
Established in 1872, they currently compete in the Pitching In Southern Football League Premier Central, which is part of the seventh tier of English football. The team calls Latimer Park their home ground.
Kettering Town FC, established in 1872 and professionalized in 1891, has a rich history in English football. The club advanced through twelve leagues and became founding members of the Alliance Premier League in 1979, maintaining top-flight status in semi-professional football until 2000-01. They’ve won multiple titles, including the Midland Football League and Southern League Championship. Notably, in 1976, Kettering was the first British club to feature a sponsor’s name on their shirts.
The club has been successful in the Football Conference, finishing as runners-up multiple times, and has a distinguished record in county competitions and the FA Cup. However, financial difficulties arose after a 2011 move to Nene Park, leading to relegation. Over the years, the club has seen several managerial changes, with high-profile names like Paul Gascoigne and Paul Cox briefly managing.
Under Marcus Law, Kettering won the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One Central Championship in 2014-15. More recent years have seen continued managerial shifts, with Lee Glover appointed ahead of the 2022-23 season. Despite challenges, Kettering Town FC remains a significant and storied club in English non-league football.