Poppies detail plans to secure long-term future

Kettering Town have issued a statement detailing their ongoing work to ensure the club's existence beyond 2013.

The lease of the Rockingham Road ground is set to expire in two years, although the Pickering family are said to have offered an extension to the lease.

Non-executive director Ken Samuel told BBC Radio Northampton: "I'm feeling more confident about the club's future, and supporters should too.

"We hope [for] an extension to give us time to make plans to relocate."

"It's great to have a ground in Kettering but it doesn't give us all the facilities we need to move the club forward," added Samuel.

The club are awaiting official feedback from the Football League and Conference Board in relation to certain clauses that would either permit or stand in the way of such an extension.

The 927-word statement includes details of mergers or groundshares that the club could still be forced to pursue.

The unacceptable performance and lack of commitment on and off the field from some members of the first team squad has resulted in the club languishing in the league

Kettering Town FC statement

This would not take place "without the majority of Kettering supporters voting in favour".

Talks with Corby Town, Rothwell Town and Rushden and Diamonds appear to be at an end for the time being.

Although Kettering Town FC do not have the funds to acquire the Rockingham Road site, Poppies fans will be encouraged by the news of "a serious interest from a third party contact of the chairman to acquire and lease back the site to the club".

The club will also be staying full-time, as it is believed it "would become uncompetitive at this level by making such a change [to part-time]".

Less encouraging for the club's supporters is the admission that "the wage bill has become unsustainable and must be reduced".

Player-coach Tommy Jaszczun has already left the club as a result of being asked to accept lower wages.

"The difficulties of the economy have deeply affected supporters and sponsors in the area," the statement added.

"The upcoming increase in VAT will further impact the club's income streams.

"The unacceptable performance and lack of commitment on and off the field from some members of the first team squad has resulted in the club languishing in the league table and knocked out of the FA Cup and Trophy at the first hurdle.

"Ticket prices will have to increase in January 2011 and players will have to leave and be replaced."