POPPIES RALLY FOR DURRELL

DURRELL BERRY has thanked his Kettering Town team-mates and fans for providing some much-needed Christmas cheer following his season-ending injury.

Led by Rene Howe and Mitchell Austin, Poppies players have set up a

Go Fund Me page to raise money for the stricken 25-year-old.

Within days it had smashed the original £2,000 target that will help ease financial strains during his recovery period.

Berry ruptured his Achilles in the Evo-Stik Southern Premier clash with Farnborough last month and he’s ruled out for the rest of the campaign.

The nature of the injury means he can’t continue in his day job in a warehouse either.

It’s the latest piece of bad injury luck for the former Plymouth Argyle defender after he spent 18 months out following a broken leg when he was playing for Torquay United.

He’s keeping positive, however, and is grateful for what the football family have done for him.

“I appreciate it from everyone involved,” Berry told The NLP.

“I’ve been in a similar situation before and because my contract had run out it was a bit of a rough time.

“But the gaffer and the chairman have said they will stick by me and help out every way they can which is obviously much appreciated by myself and my family. “All the boys have put in a lot of effort to promote it – everyone has contributed in their own little way and I thank them for that. “I was playing well at the time and I think people have seen that and are trying to help me out. It makes my Christmas and next couple of months a little less stressful than I thought they would have been. “It’s not just everyone at the club, but the fans as well who I don’t really know.

“I’ve only been at the club since the start of the season so people who don’t really know me are helping out for the cause as well which is really nice.”

Berry has been one of Kettering’s most consistent performers this season as Marcus Law’s side put together a promotion push.

He’s promised to be at their home games cheering them on and feels they have a chance of achieving their target.

“There’s nothing I can do other than hopefully come back stronger, kick on next season and carry on where I left off,” Berry said.

“I know the boys will keep having a good season. It’s a very tight league with only one going up automatically. I’m hoping the boys can do it, I think they will, the potential is definitely there.”