Will we ever learn?

The longest day approaches - the Summer equinox.  Birds have fledged.  Preparations for Wimbledon are in full swing - British players are booking a couple of days accommodation in SW19, with a view to cancelling the second one.  Apparently the 15th of June was "World Smile Power" day.  Perhaps, but not in Kettering.

As with most close-seasons in Poppyland we have had to sit back and watch a team that came together quite nicely bleed away as on-loan players flee back to their parent clubs in time to be released and others sign for rival clubs.  Perhaps this summer seems worse as we've managed to shed a Management team, Chairman and board members at the same time.

Jordan DOESN'T
love you

As regular as top quality clockwork from the finest factories in Switzerland, Poppies social media has doused itself in petrol and set itself ablaze as the same handful of supporters forecast the end of days.  Usually because the favourite player they non-so-secretly have a man-crush on has kicked us into touch for another club who are prepared to double their wages.

Honestly, we would all enjoy the Summer far more if we'd all just chill for a couple of months and accept the following: -

Connor DOESN'T
love you

(1) Football players AREN'T football supporters, and they are NOT your friends.  They'll kiss the badge in a moment of joy, or hug supporters after netting in the 90th minute.  But they're also paid professionals who will play for a club offering the most money.  No matter who pays it.  

(2) During 2021-22 we were the 62nd best supported club in non-league.  Well behind such acknowledged giants as Marine, Hastings United, FC Isle of Man and Ilkeston.  Face it guys.  It's not 1990.  We aren't challenging for a place in the Football League.  We're not the (self-titled) non-league Manchester United anymore (actually, that's something of a relief....)  We are a middling club batting above their average.

(3) We don't have the finances to put players on long contracts.  To be honest, as a club we never have had.  Except when we were being artificially bankrolled by Imraan's old Locum company.  And, thankfully, most of us still remember how that ended.

(4) Ritchie should really keep off KTFC Chat for the duration of the Summer.  Partly to keep his blood pressure down, but mostly so he doesn't engage with our lunatic-fringe, think this represent all Poppies fans, and throw the towel in!

(5) Come the start of the season we WILL have players wearing our new 150-year shirts.  Some will be good.  Others bad.  You know, just like last season.

Whoever this guy is, he
DOESN'T love you