The Poppies, also known as Kettering Town FC, have a rich legacy and a strong sense of fan pride. Being the first club in non-league football to have a shirt sponsor in 1976, the Poppies have consistently been at the forefront of innovation. But for all their innovation, Kettering has faced challenges as sharp as the wind that whips through Latimer Park on winter match days. Now, with the arrival of new owners George Akhtar and Fabian Forde, the club stands at the dawn of a new era that blends ambition with the grit and loyalty of Kettering’s supporters.
Akhtar and Forde are not ordinary owners. They aren’t just investors—they’re lifelong mates, bonded by football and a shared dream. Fabian Forde, Kettering Town’s director of football, remembers how the idea first came up: two friends kicking around the idea of owning a club, half in jest, half seriously. Akhtar, a Watford-based coach with a background at Luton, Arsenal, and Tottenham, had a different path in mind. He had been edging into the idea, feeling out the possibility of club ownership, especially as his coaching journey often felt capped at the highest levels. “If the doors keep closing, maybe it’s time to make your own,” Akhtar recalled telling himself.
I spoke with Fabian Forde, the CEO of the club, about their aims for the club, their FA Cup run, and how they have managed to attract players like Gary Hooper, Nile Ranger, and Marvin Sordell to the Southern League Premier Division Central.
From School Friends to Club Owners
As schoolmates, George and Fabian were competitive yet supportive. “He was quicker and stronger,” jokes George. “But I thought if he made it, we both made it.” That bond is now the foundation of their partnership at Kettering Town. And after a swift purchase process earlier this year, the reality of their vision is beginning to shape up in Kettering colours.
When the sale finalised, the pair barely paused before they were on their way to Latimer Park, keen to step foot on their club’s ground as official owners. Forde recalls that first visit as eye-opening. “We walked around and thought, ‘This place has potential, but it needs direction,’” he says. George adds, “There were volunteers who’d given so much, and yet we felt like this giant of a club just needed some care and a clear path.”
It’s clear that Kettering isn’t just a project for Akhtar and Forde; it’s a calling. The pair are determined to restore the club’s place within both the community and non-league football, aiming to get Kettering back into the conference in the next five years. “This isn’t pie-in-the-sky ambition,” Akhtar insists. “Kettering belongs in the conference minimum, and with time, we believe it can go even higher.”
The FA Cup Run, knocking out local rivals Northampton Town
Kettering Town pulled off a monumental upset in the FA Cup, coming from behind to defeat League One side Northampton Town 2-1 at Sixfields Stadium. The win marked the first time the seventh-tier club has reached the second round proper of the competition since 2010, and owner George Akhtar described the result as “historic for the club and the region.”
Teenage local hero Luca Miller equalised with a stunning strike, and Nile Ranger’s extra-time header sealed the victory, sending Poppies fans into a frenzy. “In the second half, we were clearly the better team,” said Akhtar. “The unity around the club has been unbelievable.” The Poppies will discover their next opponents on Sunday, with £45,000 in prize money already boosting their campaign.
Yes, you did read that right, Nile Ranger scored the winner.
When I asked about famous fan James Acaster appearing at the club’s second round tie in the FA Cup, Fabian Forde responded enthusiastically.
“This would be absolutely amazing. I know he hasn’t been to the club for a long while, and he would be very much welcomed anytime he wants. It’s not a rumour I’m aware of, but again, I would love for him to attend any game he wants, as he has done so much for Kettering as a whole, and it would be great if we could celebrate him as well as all the other celebrities and sports stars who have recently put Kettering on the map.”
How Kettering Town are attracting big names
When George and Fabian took over the club, the pair wanted to push the club forward towards promotion into the Football League. Fabian Forde had played for Watford, Millwall, and internationally for Barbados and built up connections in the football world, while his son Shaq is currently playing for Bristol Rovers in League One.
While George Akhtar has been around football for over 20 years working as a football coach and is currently an UEFA A Licence football coach. He has worked as the Under-16s Assistant Manager for Luton Town while also setting up his own football academy, Xtra Time Kidz Club. When I questioned Fabian about how Kettering was drawing prominent players like Gary Hooper, Nile Ranger, and Marvin Sordell to the Southern League Premier Division Central, he provided the following explanation:
“With all of them, it’s just down to the relationships we have with them or their representatives. When we took over the club, we were confident of attracting a wide range of talent, as we have an extensive contact list, and it was just all about sitting down with the management team to see what exactly was needed.”
Gary Hooper, known for his clinical finishing during his time at Celtic, has already netted crucial goals in Kettering’s push for promotion, while Ranger has added physicality and experience upfront. Nile Ranger is a player who has faced numerous accusations throughout his career, even acknowledging that he was the sole reason his career did not live up to his own expectations. But while at Kettering Town FC, he has played an important role for the club, not only as a player but off it too.
“The impact that these ex-professionals have had on the group has been incredible, not just on the pitch but helping them the younger ones in training and in life in general. It’s a really special group we have.”
Fabian Forde on the ex-pros at the club
Nile was given a permanent deal by the club after scoring the winner in the FA Cup, and was praised by co-owner George Akhtar
“Since Nile joined the club, he has been a consummate professional and has made a significant contribution to the club’s success both on and off the pitch.”
The Challenge of Building a Sustainable Club
Football ambition always carries a cost, but George and Fabian prioritise maintaining the club’s financial stability. “Money alone doesn’t guarantee success,” Forde says, reflecting on how they’re cautious with their budget, focusing on quality players who buy into Kettering’s values over big salaries. “It’s easy to go big on wages, but we want something sustainable. The last thing we want is the club in trouble because of reckless spending.”
They’ve already set a bold target—promotion this season—but they understand the journey is far from straightforward. Fabian warns, “It’s going to be a ride, up and down, but exciting. And we’re bringing the fans with us every step of the way.”
“Reaching the football league is the dream and would be amazing if we could one day achieve this. We believe that a lot of the milestones will actually happen off the pitch, and we are already gearing up to being a professional outfit by trying to change the mindset of all around the club; again, it’s not going to happen overnight, but we have a plan and have to stick to it.”
Restoring Community and Youth Connection
One major priority for Akhtar and Forde is re-establishing Kettering’s connection with local fans and rebuilding pathways for young talent. They’ve inherited a club with deep roots in Northamptonshire and fans who remember legends like Paul Gascoigne’s brief managerial stint and Ron Atkinson’s influence. But today’s Kettering is more focused on its next generation.
“We do have some interesting projects in the pipeline; we’re looking at introducing an under-21’s team or partnering with a local team so we can get some of our emerging young talents introduced into men’s football as soon as possible. We also have aspirations of being a feeder club for some of the bigger clubs in our area too, but we have to take one step at a time.”
The club’s youth setup is robust, yet the pair have plans to strengthen the development pipeline by creating an under-21s team, which will help bridge the gap between youth and first-team football. “It’s about giving local kids a goal,” says Forde. “We want young players to come through and say, ‘I want to wear the Poppies shirt for the first team.’”
A Dream Ground and a Lasting Legacy
One unresolved issue is Kettering’s long-standing struggle for a permanent home. In 2015, the club sold Rockingham Road, its original ground, forcing the Poppies to groundshare at Latimer Park. But the club’s heart remains in Kettering, and Akhtar is still exploring options to bring the team back to the town. “We’re realistic,” he says. “Latimer Park is home for now, but the dream is to get Kettering a ground they can call their own.”
When I asked Fabian about what they were doing to change this, he told me that:
“We have been in discussions with the council, as they are eager for us to return back to Kettering also. In the past, the relationship hasn’t been the best with the club and the council, and that is sometimes forgotten about when trying to move such a huge infrastructure like a football club. We understand the fan’s frustrations and can assure them we’re really eager to get back into Kettering and hopefully can keep Latimer Park for a training complex to unearth our next star and help the community also.”
The pair’s story isn’t just about football—it’s about passion, friendship, and a community that deserves a club capable of making them proud. “Kettering’s history is part of its appeal,” Forde says. “This is a 152-year-old club, and we’re here to honour that legacy while creating our own.”
Reconnecting with Local Legends and Setting Bold Goals
In interviews, George and Fabian’s enthusiasm is infectious, with both sharing anecdotes from their own footballing lives. George even names Marvin Morgan, a friend and former player who sadly passed away in 2021, as a motivator who would have loved to see their journey unfold. “I still think about calling him up,” Akhtar says. “This is for people like him and for the Kettering fans who deserve more.”
The dream is clear: to make Kettering not only a force in non-league football but also a community asset that Northamptonshire can rally behind. They know it’ll take work, money, and a little luck, but the duo seems ready to meet every challenge. And as they gear up for the season, they know that each match, each training session, and every conversation with fans moves them closer to their goals.
“In 5 years time, if all goes to plan, we will be in the national league comfortably holding our own and really looking to kick on and get into the league. Also, by this time, we should hopefully have a site earmarked for the new ground and looking to make plans to get moved over in the future. We will hopefully have more fans with us, as they are literally the best fans in non-league football, and we just hope they can feel proud of where the club will be.”
Kettering may no longer play on Rockingham Road, but under Akhtar and Forde, the Poppies are headed back towards glory. The fans, the volunteers, and even the distant supporters who follow from abroad all have something to believe in again. With these two at the helm, it’s not just about reaching the next league—it’s about making Kettering a club that fans, young players, and an entire community can feel proud of once more.
For Forde, Kettering Town is a club with untapped potential. “We have such a rich history in non-league football,” he said. With the highest goal-scoring record in FA Cup history and a loyal fanbase, the club is ready to climb the football pyramid once again.
As Forde and co-owner George Akhtar continue to rebuild, they are driven by one mission: to take Kettering back to where it belongs. “This club deserves to be much higher in the pyramid, and we’re doing everything we can to get it there.”
It has been a breakthrough season for Manchester United loanee Amad Diallo. The 20-year-old Ivorian has been one of the star players for the Black Cats, currently on loan at Sunderland. Diallo has played a massive part in Sunderland’s rise, scoring 14 goals and providing four assists in 39 matches this season. Amad delivered one…
When you’re picking a team in FPL, defenders are a massive part of your team structure. We’ve seen that in certain situations, defenders shape up the whole template. Like we’ve seen in the ‘big at the back’ meta in 2021/22, with the likes of Joao Cancelo, Reece James, Trent Alexander-Arnold and co. in form. In…
Manchester United are following Benjamin Sesko, as they plot a move for a striker to take the burden off Rasmus Hojlund this summer. The Slovenian striker is someone United have tracked for a long time, dating back to before he moved to Leizpig, and they have not lost interest in his services. Sesko has a…
Manchester United have allowed Hannibal Mejbri to go on loan to Sevilla until the end of this season, but there is every expectation the Tunisian will sign for the Spanish club on a permanent deal. Mejbri had two options within this window in regards to leaving the Manchester club, with Everton also showing Premier League…
