AT LAST! HOME IS WHERE POPPIES’ HEART IS

KETTERING Town are set to return to the town after they reached an agreement to purchase an area of land for a new stadium complex.

It’s been seven years since the Poppies last played in Kettering when they left Rockingham Road for Nene Park in Irthlingborough before then setting up at Steel Park in Corby until their switch to Latimer Park in Burton Latimer where they have been playing since.

However, Kettering fans received a big boost yesterday afternoon at a forum ahead of their FA Cup tie with AFC Mansfield where the club announced they have “reached agreement, subject to contract, for the purchase of land”.

The area off Scott Road has been identified by the club who have been working with Kettering Borough Council to reach a final agreement this week.

Now the process of developing a planning application will begin in order for construction to happen which is not in the near future.

“Fans need to understand that the stadium is some years away and there will be more hurdles to negotiate, but the most important thing is that our journey back to Kettering has started,” the club said.

Chairman David Mahoney added: “Today is the day we have long looked forward to.

“The board will now enter into the next phase of discussions and we will provide further updates when the time is right.”

On behalf of Kettering Borough Council, Cllr Lloyd Bunday said: “We are pleased that we have been able to find a way forward for the football club to achieve its ambitions of returning to Kettering.