Poppies Supporters Trust throw their full support behind club's stance

The Kettering Town (Poppies) Supporters Trust have thrown their support behind the club’s stance on the National League funding saga.

The Poppies were a number of clubs in the Vanarama National League North who confirmed they will not continue their season until the funding issues have been resolved.

Clubs at Steps 1 and 2 had been expecting further grants to enable them to keep the season going with games being played behind closed doors but were then told that they would have to take out loans.

It resulted in the National League opening up a voting process to decide what will become of the National League, North and South seasons and while the voting, overall, looks to be in the balance, it seems a majority of teams in the North are favouring the season being declared null and void.

Last week, the Poppies said in a statement: “We will NOT participate in any future matches until this situation is resolved, either with the grants we need being made available or the gates re-opening to fans.

“This is not a decision we have taken lightly and we genuinely hope that this matter can be resolved quickly.”

And the club’s main supporters group has backed the club’s stance.

A statement from the Trust said: “Like all Poppies fans, the Trust board has been watching events unfold over the last few weeks in regard to the National League and National League North and South sides being invited to apply for loans to finish the season, and not receive grants as previously suggested.

“The Trust was formed 29 years ago in the wake of the Poppies going into administration thanks to the mismanagement of the then owner.

“We set up our aims and objectives and the most relevant of our aims remains: ‘To maximise the potential, future success and stability of Kettering Town Football Club’.

“The club pulled through in 1992, but 10 years ago it almost went out of business again following further off-field mismanagement.

“(Owner) Ritchie Jeune stepped in and ensured the future of the club and allied with (chairman) David Mahoney and the rest of the Club Management team have ensured the club has not fallen back into the dangerous habit of spending money we don’t have.

“To take on loans while generating no income, to complete an uninvolving season during a raging pandemic makes no sense.

“The survival of football clubs in general to play again in the future is important and the survival of Kettering Town Football Club in particular is most important to us.

“Infinitely more importantly, the health and lives of everyone involved must be taken into account during this awful pandemic.

“This situation has affected all of our lives, has forced each of us to make concessions to help ourselves and others.

“Potentially losing half of a football season is a small price to pay to keep as many of the Poppies family safe as possible.”