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Lack of certainty off the field is ruining Poppies' hopes on

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Published Date:
26 November 2009
Imraan Ladak believes the uncertainty over Kettering Town's future is affecting their chances on the field.
As the club prepare for the huge FA Cup clash with Leeds United this weekend, Ladak revealed in an exclusive interview with the Evening Telegraph that he now believes there is no hope of keeping the club within the borough of Kettering.

And he fee
ls off-field problems were part of the reason manager Mark Cooper and star defender Exodus Geohaghon left to join Peterborough United.

New boss Lee Harper has seen his squad ripped apart and has overseen two home defeats in the Blue Square Premier after the Poppies had seemed destined for a title challenge.

The arrival of Yorkshire giants Leeds in front of the ITV cameras on Sunday will once again place Kettering on the footballing map.

But Ladak admits his new manager is having to work under difficult circumstances.

"We are playing Leeds United live on television in the second round of the FA Cup this weekend and that is on the back of some incredible success in the league and cups over the last two years," Ladak said.

"Really we should be very excited.

"But unfortunately, because of Kettering Borough Council and their lack of understanding about the football club and its importance to the community, we find ourselves in a position where the future of the club is being threatened.

"Since the council have made their feelings clear, the short-term effect to the club has been devastating.

"We have lost our manager, we have lost Exodus Geohaghon as a direct result of losing our manager and we are unable to attract quality replacements because of the problem we have got.

"Lee has been handicapped early on through no fault of his own.

"It would be wrong of the club to be offering contracts that we don't feel are possible to sustain in the long-term.

"It would be morally wrong, not to mention illegal.

"We are in a very difficult position and I feel it's because of the council and no-one else.

"It's really hard for me because over the last four years, Kettering has become my club as a fan. It affects my happiness.

"It is gut-wrenching for me and what has happened has affected me as an owner and as a fan. It's painful for me, the supporters and everyone else at the club."



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  • Last Updated: 26 November 2009 10:46 AM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Kettering
 
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gilesmillington,

finedon 26/11/2009 19:00:28
I for one will be very upset if kettering town fc go out of business because of lack of interest and support from kettering council please dont let this famous old club die and if it is left to die there would be a massive hole for all kettering town fc fans lioves of what to do on a saturday and a week day night games so up the poppies and i for one wont let trhis club die it would be a travesty to lose such a well known non league club from an uposet and passoionate fan from finedon
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Andrew E,

Kettering town 27/11/2009 16:28:43
kettering borough coucil = a utter complete joke!
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Poppies Supporter of 60 years,

Kettering 30/11/2009 07:37:56
Once again the Poppies proved, by their deeds on the pitch, the worth of a viable and succesful football team to the live of the town. The result and the subsequent draw have put the club and its imminent future well and truly to the attention of the sporting nation. All of eight National Newspapers scanned this morning featured not only the game itself but also the problems facing the club's management in its issues with the local council

The issue of a future ground for the Poppies has churned on and on for far too many years. Successive councils have played "pass the parcel" with the club, its team and, more importantly, its supporters. Far too many excuses have been used to dodge the issue and put aside often viable propositions.

Well on Saturday a fair proportion of the town's electorate turned out and gave paying support to their club and, by their passion, showed just how much they care for the future of this historic football institution.

It is a pity that the same concern appears not to be shown by our council "leaders".

I note that the town is about to get a National Volleyball Centre. How about a Local Football Centre?

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