Cox's plans for Poppies remain unchanged

Paul Cox insists the Kettering Town players are ready to get started as they hope for positive news on the National League North today (Thursday).

The Poppies’ campaign is due to get under way in the second qualifying round of the Emirates FA Cup next Saturday (October 3).

But the start of their season is hanging in the balance as the National League Board prepare for a crucial meeting today, which is expected to be held at 2pm.

The new Government restrictions introduced this week, which include a pause to plans to bring fans back into sports stadia at ‘elite’ level, have thrown the preparations for the new season into chaos.

The National League have previously stated that the season would not start unless fans are allowed to return.

And so, with just over a week to go until the official start date, it remains unclear as to whether the campaign will actually get going.

For the time being, Cox is planning for the original start date and his team look to be in good shape after they claimed a 1-0 friendly success at National League side King’s Lynn Town last weekend with Ryan Fryatt heading home the late winner against his former club.

And Cox said: “Unless someone tells me otherwise, we have got a mindset amongst the group that we are starting on October 3.

“In terms of our progression, we are getting better at certain facets of the game but I still think there’s loads we can improve on.

“It has been an interesting pre-season. I have learned so much about the players.

“If I am going to be totally honest, the players are working extremely hard and are taking on board a lot of information at the minute.

“And, even with all that, they seem to be gelling as well which is sometimes the most important thing with a new group of players.

“We have had some good results and good performances and I just think the group is looking forward to the season starting now.

“I just hope decisions go with us and we can get things started.

“I am happy with where we are at the minute but, as I always say, we can always get better.”

The Poppies, meanwhile, have confirmed that defender Ryan Holland has left the club to join Grantham Town.