Kettering Town announce club has signed 50-year lease on Latimer Park home

Kettering Town has announced the club has put pen to paper on a new 50-year lease on its current Latimer Park home.

It has been a dramatic week in the the world of the Poppies.

First it was confirmed that has a consortium, led by former player Brad Piercewright, has made two substantial offers to but the club from owner George Akhtar.

That story prompted Akhtar to release a public statement making it clear his in it for the long haul, and that the Poppies are not for sale.

Piercewright then hosted a public meeting in Kettering on Monday night, where he outlined to supporters the financial strains the club is currently under, and made it clear he is going to continue in his bid to take control.

Now the club has responded by announcing the extension of the lease at Latimer Park - while also stating that they, like Piercewright and his team, are striving to see the Poppies return to the town of Kettering in the future.

"Today marks a huge milestone in the history of the club," read the statement released on the club's Facebook page on Tuesday night.

"After two years of hard work, detailed negotiations and countless hours behind the scenes, we are proud to announce that a new 50-year lease has now been signed, extending from the previous 17-year term.

"This is more than just a piece of paper. It is a statement of intent, a foundation for growth, investment and a commitment to ensuring the club can continue to thrive and strive forward.

"There have been challenges along the way, but everyone involved remained committed to achieving the right outcome for the future of the football club and the wider community it represents.

"Today, that hard work has paid off.

"This is a landmark moment and one we should all celebrate together.

"The new lease will allow us to make much-needed improvements and investment in and around the ground, including new floodlights, a 4G pitch and attract more funding and investment with certainty and stability needed to create an excellent facility here for the future.

"While this milestone lays the foundations for the club here at Latimer Park, we will pursue even bigger ambitions for the club in Kettering.

"For now, the future is secure, the foundations are stronger than ever, and there is so much to look forward to.

"Thank you to everyone who has supported the journey to get us here.

"The next chapter starts now. Together, we are stronger."