Kettering Town Co-Owner Expresses Excitement for FA Cup Match

Nadiya Akhtar-Shahzad, co-owner of non-league club Kettering Town, conveyed her enthusiasm for the upcoming FA Cup second-round fixture on Sunday against Doncaster Rovers. In an interview with BBC Radio Northampton, Ms Akhtar-Shahzad discussed the period following the club’s notable first-round triumph over local rivals Northampton Town. This victory represented the team’s initial advancement to the second round since 2009. Ms Akhtar-Shahzad stated: “There’s no way we could have predicted any of this. It’s been such an amazing run from start to now. We’re all so excited.” Following the unexpected win against Northampton – which Poppies supporter and photographer Peter Short characterized as “the biggest win in Kettering Town’s history” – the club has been actively engaged in preparations for the subsequent round. Supporters participated in three distinct volunteer events focused on painting and renovating Latimer Park, aiming to ensure their home stadium was prepared for the match and television broadcast. The enthusiasm has spread beyond Northamptonshire, reaching the school in Watford where Ms Akhtar-Shahzad is an educator. Her A-Level pupils have shown support for the Poppies, with some purchasing Kettering shirts and promising to “check out the club” during upcoming games. Craig Parker, a dedicated fan attending matches since 1995, expressed optimism regarding the club’s prospects. He commented: “There’s a fantastic buzz around the club. We can turn [Doncaster] over – we have a massive chance.” The game will be broadcast on BBC Two this Sunday, with coverage commencing at 11:45 GMT. Updates on Northamptonshire news are available on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our policy on external linking is available.