Kettering president Ken Samuel has appealed to supporters for help to raise £10,000.
'These are difficult times for us all, individuals, families, business
owners, employers and employees.
As President of Kettering Town Football Club,whilst I am not on the Board of
Directors, I am in close contact with the club which I have supported for
over 65 years.
The club is run on a sound, sensible financial basis. It has to be - and the
lessons of bygone years have been well learned. However, it now finds itself
in a situation where vital income from home games has been lost as has any
income from the now closed Clubhouse. Whilst the National League has
suspended games until 3rd April, it seems likely that this suspension will
be extended until at least the end of April and probably beyond that.
Subsequently, income from a further six home games and Clubhouse will be
lost. Whilst the Government and football authorities will decide, in time,
on any assistance that can be provided to clubs like KTFC, the normal
financial commitments incurred by the Club, including the major expenditure
of wages, rent and other overheads, continue.
I am therefore appealing to our fans to again help in a time of need. Over
recent seasons and months our supporters have been tremendous and very
generous in donating moneys to help the club, particularly for ground
improvements, which are now coming to fruition. The Trust have launched a
300 club which I fully support and will be buying tickets. The Club however
does need large sums of cash now to meet existing and continued financial
obligations, and all within the next month.
With no football being played fans cannot support the club in the usual way
by paying at the turnstiles, buying Klondike tickets or buying a matchday
drink in the Clubhouse. However, would you consider a donation instead? Are
you in a position financially to do so? I realise that some supporters are
facing hard times and this is not for you. I also recognise that I'm calling
on supporters to demonstrate their generosity yet again, receiving little in
return other than the satisfaction of knowing we're all trying to support
the club at such a difficult time. If you can, please look favourably in
helping YOUR club to keep going. The club has committed to complete the
ground improvements, to maintain status and improve your matchday
experience.'
