Doncaster Rovers are set to face Kettering Town in the second round of the FA Cup, but Kettering, who play in the seventh tier of English football, faces a race against time to prepare their home ground, Latimer Park, for the anticipated crowd.
With a modest capacity of just over 3,000, Kettering’s management is exploring ways to accommodate the surge in interest for this high-profile fixture.
Extra Seating
The Poppies are considering installing temporary seating or potentially relocating to a larger venue to ensure as many fans as possible can attend the match, which is tentatively scheduled for Saturday, November 30.
Kettering’s finance director, Rob McGreavey, acknowledged the logistical hurdles ahead, telling BBC Northampton,
“We’ll have to make a few phone calls to see what we can do to make it a bit more suitable and get a few more people in there.”
The club is also mindful of the tight timeline, as adjustments will need to be finalized quickly, especially if the match is selected for live TV coverage by BBC or ITV, which could shift the fixture to an earlier date.
Financial Boost and Planning for Kettering
The FA Cup journey has already provided Kettering with a financial windfall. Reflecting on this opportunity, McGreavey noted the unexpected boost to the club’s budget, saying,
“At the start of every season, we don’t assume any sort of cup run so everything is a bonus. The money we made from the first round was incredible, and this just adds more. The challenge then is what do we do with that.”
With the added revenue, Kettering’s board is actively discussing how they can reinvest in Latimer Park, eyeing infrastructure improvements that could benefit the club long-term.
Vice-chairman Mick Coe is optimistic about filling the stands and potentially even taking on some of Doncaster’s ticket allocation if demand is strong.
Writer’s View
Doncaster Rovers, who have a solid away following, are likely to bring a strong contingent to Kettering for the cup tie. This was evident in their first-round victory against Barrow, where more than 300 Rovers fans travelled to support their team. With this level of fan engagement, Kettering is preparing for high demand, hoping that the ground adjustments or alternative arrangements will help accommodate the visiting fans.
As Kettering scrambles to organize a larger space for this event, the match promises to be a memorable occasion, with both clubs eager to progress further in the FA Cup.
Founder and Editor-in-Chief at The Real EFL, Gary is a passionate Lincoln City fan with extensive content creation across the Championship and EFL. He also shares expert football betting tips.
