Squad overhaul looks likely as Poppies trio depart

Kettering Town have revealed their new home and away kits for next season, modelled by Rhys Sharpe and Connor Kennedy. Logistics People are the new official club sponsors ahead of the National League North campaign while Fix Auto will once again be the rear of the home shirt sponsor with BM Pallets the rear of away shirt sponsor. Pictures courtesy of Poppies Media

Kettering Town boss Paul Cox looks set for a big overhaul of his squad this summer.

Three members of the Poppies squad for the curtailed 2020-21 National League North campaign have all left the club over the past week.

Goalkeeper Adam Collin, who made 18 appearances last season, has signed a 12-month deal at Basford United while central defender Ryan Fryatt who, like Collin, only joined the Poppies a year ago has also confirmed he has left the club after making 17 appearances in which he scored four goals.

The trio of departures is completed by midfielder Ben Milnes who made 139 appearances for the Poppies after signing for them in 2017. He was part of the squad that won the Southern League Premier Central title in 2019.

Collin’s move to Northern Premier League side Basford will also see him help goalkeeping coach Graeme Rodger while he will also be involved in the academy set-up.

Basford manager Steve Chettle said: “I have known Ads (Collin) since my involvement alongside Kevin Nolan and the first team staff at Notts County.

“He has his very successful AC1 Goalkeeper Coaching Academy and has been working with our academy goalkeepers and we have seen fantastic progression from the group.

“Since his season at Kettering was curtailed he has been with the first team helping Graeme (Rodger) with KP (Kieran Preston) and Jordan (Pierrepont) as well as training alongside them.

“It has been great to have him around the group and our goalkeeper’s union have gained valuable experience having him around. Adam joins us to work with Graeme and to help KP and Jordan but also put himself into the fold to play next season.”

Confirming his departure on Twitter, Milnes could afford a joke about the Latimer Park playing surface as he wrote: “Huge thanks to everyone involved with @KTFCOfficial for the last 4 years, time for a fresh start for me. Some great memories but certainly won’t miss the Latimer Park pitch!”

Fryatt also took to social media to reveal he was moving on and wrote: “Just like to say thank you to Paul (Cox), John (assistant-manager Ramshaw) and everyone involved with @KTFCOfficial for last season but it’s time for me to move on. I wish the club all the best for the future.”