Poppies can still be successful this season, despite all of the Latimer Park drama

After a no-show from the team during the Pitching-In Southern Premier League play-off semi-final against Real Bedford, news quickly broke of a takeover bid from former player Brad Piercewright and chaos ensued as fans found themselves standing with either Team Brad or Team George.

During this Blur/Oasis-style debate, there were lingering concerns in the background as to who would be the man in charge after allegations made towards Liam McDonald of betting breaches surfaced in April, and it was almost certain that the manager would be unable to continue.

Roll forward four weeks later and a whole host of volunteers and backroom staff left their posts, meaning job adverts aplenty were being advertised by the club while the summer sun started to scorch the Latimer Park surface.

The damage to the pitch and the surrounds was made even more apparent during the hasty construction of new floodlights at the ground, with the chewed-up mud making the Poppies’ home look more like the Atacama desert.

But despite all of this upheaval, which has been bookended by the sudden, if not surprising, departure of McDonald, despite the fanbase turning on each other whilst debating who should run the club, despite the playing surface needing 24-hour care just to ensure Saturday's first league match against Alvechurch takes place, Kettering Town are still capable of being play-off contenders.

The squad put together is just what the doctor ordered with the tall, experienced figure of Shaun Jeffers up front a real boon and the perfect partner for Eddie Panter, while the additions of Tom Leak, Tai Flemming and Ryan Haynes seriously boosts the defensive options.

There is also the return of Aaron Powell, who was a key part of Kettering's promotion attempt two seasons ago.

Finally, and perhaps most crucially, there is the talent and leadership of Lawson D'Ath, who has had an exemplary pre-season.

The former Northampton Town man has the ability to ping the perfect ball to any part of the field, but also able to stop attacks dead in the midfield - and get the fans on their feet at the same time.

It is a serious shame that McDonald won't be able to see his squad come to fruition.

He has taken the best parts of the 2025/26 season and added the right ingredients.

Nick Green and David Bridgewater will serve as a great stand-in partnership to get the season rolling and offer some continuity.

But the role of managing Kettering Town is all-encompassing and the job will need a figurehead as soon as possible to ensure this season can be successful.

This is the first year of the new 'six-team' play-off format at step three of non-league football, meaning that finishing seventh in the table will prolong a club's season.

That will be the absolute minimum for the Poppies this season, especially as a large number of the new signings are on contracts.

After two seasons of heartbreak in the post-season, fans are thirsty only for the top spot, but with 'events' happening almost daily at Latimer Park, maybe just a normal, quiet season is all we really want?

Lord knows it would be the first time...