Rockingham Road

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Rockingham Road
Home of The Poppies - geograph.org.uk - 617192.jpg
Rockingham Road
Location Kettering, Northamptonshire
Coordinates 52°24′39.82″N0°43′41.98″W / 52.4110611°N 0.7283278°W / 52.4110611; -0.7283278
Capacity 6,264 (1,800 seated)
Surfacegrass
Construction
Opened1897
Closed2011
Demolished2017
Tenants
Kettering Town F.C. (1897–2011)

Rockingham Road was a football stadium in Kettering, Northamptonshire, England. It was home to Kettering Town F.C. from 1897 until 2011.

Contents

At the time of its closure, the ground had a capacity of 6,264, of which 1,800 was seated.

In September 2017, the land was sold by the owner, Ben Pickering Limited. The site was first identified as a potential site for housing in 2005 by the local authority, and press reports indicated that the new owner was likely to use the land for a housing development. [1]

During November 2017, the entire stadium and associated structures were demolished and the site cleared for redevelopment. [2]

Repossession

On 4 August 2011, Kettering Town Club moved into Nene Park after agreeing to a long-term-lease with the landlord. [3]

On 19 December 2011, the ground was repossessed by bailiffs acting on behalf of the owner, Ben Pickering. A notice on the entry to the ground read,

"Pursuant to Clause 5 of the [May 1998 lease between Kettering Town Management Ltd and Ben Pickering Ltd], we as authorised agents of the said Ben Pickering Ltd have this day re-entered the premises demised by the said lease and the said lease is thereby determined absolutely." [4]

Despite football being no longer played at the grounds, its social club was still in use by the supporters-trust and was also being used for storage of club stock which is still there. [5]

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References

  1. ↑ "Poppies' former Rockingham Road home bought by developer - Northamptonshire Telegraph". www.northantstelegraph.co.uk. Archived from the original on 14 September 2017.
  2. ↑ "Rockingham Road: Former Kettering Town ground 'acquired by housing developer'". BBC News. 14 September 2017.
  3. ↑ "Kettering Town agree long-term Nene Park contract". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 4 August 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  4. ↑ "Kettering Town's Rockingham Road ground repossessed". bbc.co.uk/sport. BBC Sport. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.
  5. ↑ "Football ground's locks are changed as owner takes legal action". Northants Evening Telegraph. 19 December 2011. Retrieved 19 December 2011.


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