Poppies management and players unaware of sell-off announcement during Rushall defeat
Joint boss David Bridgwater revealed that neither he nor his players were aware of the news that George Akhtar has agreed to sell Kettering Town ahead of their 3-2 defeat at Rushall Olympic on Tuesday night.
The Poppies suffered a first defeat of the season in north Walsall, with the match taking place less than an hour after the news broke of the pending change of ownership.
An official statement was issued at 7pm on Tuesday, announcing that Akhtar has agreed in principle to sell the club to former players Brad Piercewright and Craig Norman.
The Poppies then kicked off at Rushall at 7.45pm and went on to lose despite taking a fifth minute lead through Tai Fleming.
Rushall hit back to lead 2-1 at the break, and although Shaun Jeffers levelled the scores on 51 minutes, the home side pinch the win four minutes from time.
Asked if the news of the takeover had filtered through ahead of the game, Bridgwater told @KTFCOfficial: "We didn't know about it until after the game, so I presume the players didn't know about it until after the game.
"So it had no bearing on the match."
Bridgwater and fellow joint manager Nick Green were brought to the club as Liam McDonald's backroom staff close to 12 months ago, and then put in charge of the first team when McDonald left the top job in the summer.
And Bridgwater was quick to thank Akhtar and director of football Fabian Forde for their backing.
"I am disappointed, because George and Fabs have been really good to us, but I understand the reasons (for selling the club)," said the joint boss.
"Mine and Greeny's focus is what happens on the pitch and what happens on the training ground, so that's all we are concentrating on.
"But I would like to thank George and Fabs for the opportunity and the support they have given us since we came here at the end of October last year, and we wish them well."
Looking back on the loss to Rushall, Bridgwater added: "It was disappointing but the lads have been fantastic for the first 10 games
"Me and Greeny are disappointed, the players are disappointed, but we need to go again.
"I thought Rushall were good and fair play to them, but we still have things to work on."
The Poppies are quickly back in action as they now face another road trip on Saturday, this time to Matlock Town in the FA Trophy.
"We have games coming up on all fronts, and we have the Trophy on Saturday which we can switch our minds to," said Bridgwater.
"We need to bounce back and I think this group of players will because we have lots of experience, we have some good leaders.
"We will now train hard on Thursday and go into the Matlock game in the Trophy, before preparing for the Anstey game in the league next Tuesday."