A PETITION against the decision not to list Kettering Town's old Rockingham Road ground as an asset of community value has received 900 signatures in 24 hours.
In April, the club made a request to list their former home – which they left in 2011 – as an asset of community value which could have given the Poppies the ability to bid should the land be sold.
However, they were told at the start of the month that their application had been rejected by Kettering Borough Council.
Now a petition from supporters has been started and they are just 100 signatures short of their 1,000 goal.
The Evo-Stik League Southern Premier club currently playing at Latimer Park, which they have shared with United Counties League side Burton Wanderers for the past three seasons.
The Poppies agreed a new 25-year lease in April to remain at the ground but hopes of a return to Rockingham Road, which was the club's home for over 100 years, were dashed.
It is hoped the petition will make the council think again although it is understood the ground has been identified as a site for residential development in their local development plan.
At the time of the decision, Brambleside councillor Michael Brown told the Northants Telegraph: “I am very shocked and appalled at a very, very poor decision that seems to completely ignore the spirit of the Localism Act 2011.
“It is about time community needs and wants show some more importance in the decision-making process. I am taking stock of the situation and seeing what the next step is.”
If we can get enough signatures, the Council will be obliged to debate the issue. Regardless of whether fans want to return to Rockingham Road, or another site in Kettering, or indeed stay at Latimer Park in Burton Latimer, the club will be reliant on help from the council in terms of planning permission etc. If we can show that enough people care about the club, we hope they would recognise the need for them to offer any help within their power. Thanks for sharing, and watch this space!!