Charlton offer ray of hope to Kettering

It looks very likely that Kettering Town will abandon their Rockingham Road stadium and move the eight miles to beautiful downtown Irthlingborough. Rushden and Diamonds are on the verge of collapse and Nene Park is claimed to be the best stadium outside the Football League.

Not all Kettering fans are happy about the move, but the lease on Rockingham Road has just two years to run and the maximum extension on offer is seven years which would debar the Poppies from the Football League promotion they aspire to.

So where does Charlton come into all this? In an editorial today's Non-League Paper concludes, 'for those [Kettering fans] who fear it will signal the end of the club, think of Charlton. Kicked out of the Valley in 1985. But their fans stuck with them - and home they came.'

The Valley Party continues to be an inspiration to fans everywhere, even if many of those involved have scattered to the four winds. Rick Everitt is a Labour councillor in Ramsgate, although still with a role at The Valley and Richard Hunt has lived for many years in Prague.

Gordon Bennett

Do you remember Mickey Bennett who was eventually sold to Wimbledon? He is now the counsellor for the Professional Footballers' Association.