Latest news with #KetteringTown
BBC News
4 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Hollyhead appointed as Kettering manager
Kettering Town have appointed former Banbury United boss Simon Hollyhead as their new 53-year-old, who was put on gardening leave by Banbury last week following an approach by the Poppies, replaces Richard Lavery at Latimer has previously been assistant manager at Scandinavian clubs Malmo, SK Brann and Odense and filled the same role at he will have the task of leading Kettering to promotion after they missed out on a place in National League North for next season when they lost to AFC Telford in the Southern League Premier Central play-off result cost Lavery his job, despite leading them to the second round of the FA Cup earlier in the season, a run which included a win over county rivals Northampton Town, from League Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger, who scored the winner against the Cobblers, has also left the club."When a club like Kettering enquires, it's very hard to refuse a discussion considering the tradition that has been fostered over 153 years," Hollyhead, who worked as a fitness coach at Warwickshire County Cricket Club for 10 years before moving into football, said."I am really excited by the opportunity and looking forward to meeting everyone at the club in due course." Poppies owner George Akhtar has set a target of guiding the club into the English Football League for the first time, which would mean three promotions from their current place in the third tier of non-league football."After speaking to Simon, I was very enthused by his passion and his commitment to detail," Akhtar said."I believe his vision for the club is aligned with ours and we are extremely excited about the next chapter of this magical club."Banbury, who took four points from their two league games against Kettering last season, have appointed Kelvin Langmead as their new manager.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Manager Lavery leaves non-league Kettering
Kettering Town have parted company with manager Richard Lavery after failing to win promotion to step two of non-league guided the Poppies to a memorable FA Cup first-round win over county rivals Northampton Town, from League they were pipped to the Southern League Premier Central title by Bedford Town and then lost to AFC Telford United in the play-off was appointed in February 2024, their third manager in four months, having previously been assistant to Marcus Law when Kettering won promotion to National League North in 2019."I want to genuinely thank Lav for everything that he, and his hardworking management team, have done for KTFC," said owner George Akhtar, who bought the club three months after Lavery took charge and has set a target of reaching the English Football League."The long hours, professional dedication and inspiration have been the hallmark of his tenure, and Richard will be remembered with great affection as the man who put the club back on the map."He was in charge for 62 games, achieving a win rate of 52%, and a club statement said the figure was "a testament to the ambition and tactical clarity Lavery brought to the dugout".
BBC News
06-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Richard Lavery: Play-off 'like a dagger' for Kettering Town boss
Kettering Town boss Richard Lavery says losing their play-off final against AFC Telford United was "like a dagger in the heart". The Poppies were looking to return to National League North or South but lost 4-2 at home to Telford after twice taking the lead. Former Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger put Kettering ahead in the first half, and they went 2-1 up through Wes York, only for Telford to sweep their hopes away in a strong finish. "It's hard to take. This club shouldn't be in this league. We were top for a long time, and people were getting carried away, me included. I thought we were going to win it," Lavery told BBC Radio Northampton. When businessman George Akhtar took over the club last May, he set a target of steering it to the English Football League for the first time. The Poppies beat League One neighbours Northampton Town in the FA Cup first round but ultimately lost out in the Southern League Premier Central title race, finishing second behind Bedford Town. They beat Harborough Town on penalties to reach the play-off final but came up short against Telford as they looked to return to the second tier of non-league football, from which they were relegated in 2023. "No-one likes to lose finals. We gave them three goals - Wednesday [against Harborough] we were unbelievable at the back, but I think a few players froze in big key moments. They weren't well-worked goals... for me, we threw the game away," said Lavery. He rejected suggestions, however, that because of the defeat, the season could not be looked on as a good one. "From where the club was when I took over last year, to get in a play-off final and into the second round of the FA Cup is a massive achievement - but it feels like a dagger in the heart. "I've heard a lot of noise about 'not doing a good job' and all that, but I took us to a play-off final. We fell short at the final hurdle, yes, and I'll take responsibility for that, but we'd have taken it as a club all day at the end of last season." Lavery still has a year left on his contract with Kettering and wants to stay on for next season. "I never walk away and give in. I'm a winner through and through, but this hurts. I need a rest to re-set."
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Shootout win keeps Kettering promotion hopes alive
Two clubs, just 12 miles apart, both made headlines this season by reaching the FA Cup second round. But on Wednesday night it was Kettering Town who came out on top against Harborough Town in the most dramatic of circumstances to keep their Southern League Premier Central play-off hopes alive. Advertisement The Poppies won 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw, despite failing to score with either of their first two spot-kicks, and will now host AFC Telford United in the play-off final on Monday, May 5 (15:00 BST) with a place in the National League North or South next season at stake. "I didn't watch it - I had my back turned. I did see one go in [but that's all]," Kettering manager Richard Lavery told BBC Radio Northampton. "We did practice penalties but that was in front of no crowd. This was a big occasion, nearly 3,000 fans, and nobody in that entire ground - Harborough fans included - can say we didn't deserve to win that game. "We had plenty of chances and you've got to take one of them - it wasn't to be. Extra time we had a few more chances, then it goes to penalties and the first ones weren't great, we missed a couple, but it doesn't matter - we're through to the final." Advertisement Kettering, who knocked out League One neighbours Northampton Town in the first round of the FA Cup, had home advantage at Latimer Park by virtue of finishing second in Southern League Premier Central. But their opponents were boosted by the return of former Tottenham and Brazil midfielder Sandro, who appeared for Harborough in their 5-3 FA Cup defeat by Reading after a chance meeting with manager Mitch Austin. Sandro came out of retirement to play for Harborough in the FA Cup [BBC Sport] It proved to be an unhappy evening for the 36-year-old who was one of four Bees players who failed to score in the shootout. "It was amazing to be here with the boys. We need to be proud of ourselves because they gave 100%. Penalties, it's unlucky," Sandro told BBC Radio Leicester. Advertisement Asked why he had returned for the play-offs, the Brazilian said: "We created a very good connection. It was amazing to be part of the FA Cup game and I said 'let me be involved again'. For me it was a dream to come here and play in front of the fans again." The score was 3-3 when Sandro stepped up for his penalty, but he shot wide and Connor Johnson eventually settled the tie with Kettering's seventh spot-kick. "I didn't feel the pressure, I just tried to put it in the corner and it was a little bit out. I'm not good on penalties. But it will always be in my heart, this experience," he added. Kettering are hoping to return to the second tier of non-league football for the first time since being relegated in 2023, but face tough opposition in Telford who went through by beating Halesowen 3-2. Advertisement Lavery was assistant to Marcus Law the last time Kettering won promotion to National League North in 2019. He returned to the club in February last year as their third manager in four months and his appointment was followed three months later by the arrival of the ambitious George Akhtar as Kettering's new owner. They took four points from their two games against Telford in the regular season, but Lavery is taking nothing for granted before Monday's game, also at Latimer Park. "Telford are a good side - I don't underestimate anybody. That was a tough one [against Harborough], but we'll regroup again. We've got one more game to go - nothing's won yet," he added.
BBC News
01-05-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Shootout win keeps Kettering promotion hopes alive
Two clubs, just 12 miles apart, both made headlines this season by reaching the FA Cup second on Wednesday night it was Kettering Town who came out on top against Harborough Town in the most dramatic of circumstances to keep their Southern League Premier Central play-off hopes Poppies won 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw, despite failing to score with either of their first two spot-kicks, and will now host AFC Telford United in the play-off final on Monday, May 5 (15:00 BST) with a place in the National League North or South next season at stake."I didn't watch it - I had my back turned. I did see one go in [but that's all]," Kettering manager Richard Lavery told BBC Radio Northampton."We did practice penalties but that was in front of no crowd. This was a big occasion, nearly 3,000 fans, and nobody in that entire ground - Harborough fans included - can say we didn't deserve to win that game."We had plenty of chances and you've got to take one of them - it wasn't to be. Extra time we had a few more chances, then it goes to penalties and the first ones weren't great, we missed a couple, but it doesn't matter - we're through to the final."Kettering, who knocked out League One neighbours Northampton Town in the first round of the FA Cup, had home advantage at Latimer Park by virtue of finishing second in Southern League Premier their opponents were boosted by the return of former Tottenham and Brazil midfielder Sandro, who appeared for Harborough in their 5-3 FA Cup defeat by Reading after a chance meeting with manager Mitch Austin. It proved to be an unhappy evening for the 36-year-old who was one of four Bees players who failed to score in the shootout."It was amazing to be here with the boys. We need to be proud of ourselves because they gave 100%. Penalties, it's unlucky," Sandro told BBC Radio why he had returned for the play-offs, the Brazilian said: "We created a very good connection. It was amazing to be part of the FA Cup game and I said 'let me be involved again'. For me it was a dream to come here and play in front of the fans again."The score was 3-3 when Sandro stepped up for his penalty, but he shot wide and Connor Johnson eventually settled the tie with Kettering's seventh spot-kick."I didn't feel the pressure, I just tried to put it in the corner and it was a little bit out. I'm not good on penalties. But it will always be in my heart, this experience," he are hoping to return to the second tier of non-league football for the first time since being relegated in 2023, but face tough opposition in Telford who went through by beating Halesowen 3-2. Lavery was assistant to Marcus Law the last time Kettering won promotion to National League North in returned to the club in February last year as their third manager in four months and his appointment was followed three months later by the arrival of the ambitious George Akhtar as Kettering's new took four points from their two games against Telford in the regular season, but Lavery is taking nothing for granted before Monday's game, also at Latimer Park."Telford are a good side - I don't underestimate anybody. That was a tough one [against Harborough], but we'll regroup again. We've got one more game to go - nothing's won yet," he added.
