Graham Starmer joined the Kettering Town Football Club board as acting chairman in October 2023 to support the club in securing financial stability and viability, improving behind-the-scenes infrastructure, and to lead the search for new investors.
At the time of joining, Kettering Town were at risk of back-to-back relegation having dropped down from the National League North at the end of the 2022/23 season.
During Starmer’s first season, the club successfully avoided relegation, secured their league status and a new owner, fulfilled a variety of club and community-focused initiatives, and established positive targets for the future of the organisation.
The club, also known as the Poppies, were founded in 1872 and play their home games at Latimer Park in Northamptonshire. They are one of the most storied non-league football teams in England.
Kettering Town x Emirates FA Cup
Kettering Town are the top-scoring team in the FA Cup – the world’s oldest and most prestigious football competition – with more than 920 goals.
After a strong run of results in the 2024 preliminary rounds, Kettering beat local EFL club Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium in the First Round proper, setting up a home tie against Doncaster Rovers in front of the TV cameras.
It was set to be the biggest game Latimer Park had ever hosted, and you can watch the video below to see how Graham and co. staged a successful matchday under the national spotlight.
Did you know?
In 1976, Kettering Town became the first football club in Great Britain to have a shirt sponsor – Kettering Tyres. Although the club were fined at the time by the Football Association, this ingenious move played its part in shaping the modern game.
