Owner Akhtar tells Poppies fans: 'I've got a project to do'

In a lengthy and wide-ranging interview posted by the club, Akhtar categorically stated that the club was ‘never’ for sale, and described the claims made by a consortium wanting to take over the club as ‘scaremongering’ and ‘lies’.

However, there was still no acknowledgement of the betting allegations made in April 2026 by the Guardian newspaper towards Liam McDonald, and whether the current manager will remain in post for the 2026/27 season.

The interview, which was designed to quash fans’ concerns of troubled times ahead at the Poppies, has quickly fallen flat after another PR faux pas hit the club on Monday evening, when a highly offensive X post was retweeted on the KTFC official account.

The post has since been removed and a statement from the club cited that ‘individuals previously associated with the club may still have access to the account, and this matter is now the subject of a thorough investigation’.

During his 27-minute-long interview, Akhtar also referred to other incidents of foul play, with comments aimed at the consortium led by former Poppies defender Brad Piercewright.

"The club are concerned about a number of disseminations of confidential information and unauthorised access to club platforms,” Akhtar said.

"We are seeking legal advice and we will comment further down the line."

When asked the question 'does the club owe money that is going to threaten the existence of the club?' he replied: "No absolutely not!

"The only people that can be a threat to us is the HRMC. Do we own them money? Yes we do. But no football club doesn't owe the HRMC money, no businesses doesn't owe them money.

"Is it the ridiculous figures that have been mentioned? Absolutely not. I don't really want to go on record to say how much is owed - it's not three digits.

"Yes - we owe a small amount to HRMC. These figures that are being bandied about are just scaremongering tactics and wrong - they are lies - the club is in a very good state."

The Kettering owner then turned to the question of local businesses.

He said: "I challenge any business to come out and tell me if any monies are owed to local businesses.

"We owe one company, they were absolutely fine with the payment structure we set up with them.

"This whole notion that local businesses are owed money is just wrong, it's lies! Do we owe players money? No."

On the question of whether Kettering Town was even on the market, Akhtar replied in bullish fashion.

"We never had any intention to sell the club despite what was mentioned,” he said. “I've met people even last week about investing in the club.

"I’ve got a project to do here - I want to see out that project.

"I take it as a compliment that people have come forward.

"What we've done in two years is incredible - maybe now it's more of a desirable project?

"There's no target on my back, I've done what I'd said I was going to do.

"I'm happy with the direction where the football club is going.

"It's quite easy to say we're going to put a stadium down at this level. But we're staying in our lane, we're doing things the right way, we're doing things within our own budget.

"Listen, I was impressed with the (rival) proposal as well, but everything has got a price and do I want to sell? No. Am I on my knees? No.”