Kettering Town are put up for sale as cash problems mount

The bottom club in the Nationwide Conference, Kettering Town, have been put up for sale amid fears for their future.

The Poppies, who won the Dr Martens League title last term, have struggled on and off the pitch on their return to the top flight in the non-League game and are experiencing serious cash-flow problems.

Kettering's chairman, Peter Mallinger, said: "I felt the only honest thing to do was to be up front and open about our situation now, instead of letting things drag on. And as a consequence of that, I have reluctantly decided to put the club up for sale."

Mallinger added that the Poppies "simply don't have the money to pay the players what they're entitled to, and I'm not sure when that will change, if at all."

Kettering, who are three points adrift at the bottom of the league, entertain their relegation rivals Telford United at Rockingham Road tomorrow. At the other end of the Conference, Yeovil Town are the latest team this season to savour life at the top of the table, and the achievement has earned Gary Johnson the Nationwide manager of the month award.

"I'm very honoured," the former Latvian national team coach said. "It's a great culmination to a great month," Johnson added, "with us going top of the table." Tomorrow Yeovil face a tough test of their title credentials with a home game against third-placed Southport, whose manager Phil Wilson is looking forward to the challenge at Huish Park.

"We are hitting them on a high," Wilson said. "We've got to compete with them and quieten the crowd. If we do that, we've got a chance." If Yeovil slip up against Southport they could lose top place to Chester City, who are a point behind the Somerset side. Mark Wright's team, who are continuing their pursuit of the Boston United striker Daryl Clare, are away to Margate.