Striker Shaun Jeffers excited by the challenge ahead after signing for Kettering Town

For those Poppies fans who don't necessarily keep an eye on non-League matters south of Newport Pagnell services, Jeffers has been there and done that across the football pyramid.

He has scored goals for four Football League clubs, before settling at the National League South level to have a season to remember with Chelmsford City.

His 23 goals in 2016/17 took them to a play-off final, before he moved on to enjoy a prolific career with the Saints - netting an impressive 98 goals in 195 games.

At 6ft 1in he isn't the tallest player to grace Latimer Park and at 34, don't expect him to scorch the turf, but his vast experience, coupled with the heartache of so many nearly promotions is a huge boon for the Poppies.

Jeffers isn't afraid to pull the trigger and has scored an impressive percentage of goals from outside the penalty box.

In 2022/23 he watched his St Albans side capitulate against Oxford City (who featured now team mate Lewis Coyle) in the National League South play-off final.

Lightning then struck twice, as the following season the Clarence Park side failed to progress via the play-offs, despite finishing second in the table.

Jeffers has never played at Step 3 before, but he is quick to point out that making the step down doesn't make the challenge any less.

"The names that are in this changing room and the standard is very high,” said Jeffers, who has joined the Poppies from Bedford Town.

"That is part of my career (playing at a higher level) and the sort of stuff I've learnt will help me in the changing room with that experience."

"The ambition of the club is to progress and I'm hoping to come in and make that happen."

One obvious task for the 34-year-old is to become the foil for Eddie Panter, who had his own prolific season with Kettering last season.

Jeffers acknowledged that the limelight may remain on his new team mate before offering very complimentary thoughts on the Poppies boss Liam McDonald.

"Liam knows that Eddie and I crossed paths last season at Bedford and that we know each others' game and stuff,” said Jeffers. “I hope we can complement each other this season.

"With Eddie, he came in here and he made his mark very quickly within the club and fanbase.

I know he's well supported and it is nice to play for a team that is well supported - it is like a 12th man.

"Everything the gaffer has said is positive, and I highly regard him as a very good manager and I never had any doubt that I'd be coming in and there would be any sort of inexperience.

"He knows what he wants from the team, and he'll definitely get that from the squad he's put together."

After St Albans City were relegated under former Poppies manager Ian Culverhouse in 2025, Jeffers joined his home town club Bedford but quickly had a stop-start season with the Eagles, seeking loan moves to Farnborough and Peterborough Sports to try and keep up his match fitness.

Discussions of him joining Kettering even started last season.

"We have actually been in contact previously,” revealed the former Coventry City and Peterborough United man.

"Last season for me personally wasn't as strong as it has been throughout my career and Kettering were sort of on the radar last season when I was looking to get games.

"So this season I thought let's have a proper good go for it.

"I've always been someone that's seen Kettering's good success.

"I've always known about them so when I had the conversations it was all positive and the direction they want to go in suited everyone."