Kettering Town FC, Jan 2015

[mookster]

I didn't even know this place existed until today so it was nice to see something a little different, although there is something inherently sad about an abandoned sports ground.

Kettering Town FC played at the Rockingham Road grounds from 1897 to 2011 although from 1992 they only leased the stadium after having to sell it to save the club from extinction. After some much trickier than anticipated access we were in and it was a pretty chilled wander, although being surrounded by houses on two sides and a business on a third side we were always aware that some nosey neighbour might spot us and call the police...

All was fine until we came to exit! We wanted an easier way out than the difficult way in so opted for a different route which brought us out by the restaurant place next door. We didn't realise that at the moment the first of us got back over, there was an employee from the restaurant standing right there having a fag break! Me and Landie man were still in the site and heard the voices, and by the time I realised what was going on I was straddling the top of the fence - which is where I promptly became stuck, like an idiot. The matey previously stood there having a quiet fag said to wait a second and out he popped from the fire exit with a ladder!! So me and Landie used the ladder to get down and as Landie steps foot on it, a police car pulls into the car park. So now we think oh great some busybody called it in and sure enough the first question was 'what are you lads doing?' so I approached the officer and said simply that we were just taking photos and were now leaving, to which she nodded and then asked us if we'd seen a little girl who had been lost, their original call out was in relation to the girl and had nothing to do with us at all! A slightly surreal end to the day by any stretch of the imagination.

Thanks for looking, more here https://www.flickr.com/photos/mookie427/sets/72157650429976296/

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[hamtagger]

You're right there, quite sad seeing the overgrown pitch but a nice looking little wander. And what a top bloke from the restaurant bringing you a ladder!!

Nice fuzz evasion too haha. I did notice a large "climbing frame" in one of the pics, did anyone have a pop at that?

 

[Session9]

Good work, love old football grounds. Reminds me of Scarborough

 

[skeleton key]

So many of these small local clubs have gone under and its such a shame to see for the communities.

At least in this instance they have relocated to what looks like a decent ground any local club would be proud of.

Good to see Mooks and cool share

 

[mookster]

You're right there, quite sad seeing the overgrown pitch but a nice looking little wander. And what a top bloke from the restaurant bringing you a ladder!! Nice fuzz evasion too haha. I did notice a large "climbing frame" in one of the pics, did anyone have a pop at that?

One of the four spotlight towers has a ladder that isn't cut off, however the bad thing is it is the one nearest a very busy roundabout. The whole place is surrounded by houses and businesses as well, but the others had a crack at it - got about 1/4 the way up and came down as it was simply too out in the open for a Monday afternoon - it was lucky they did too as if they hadn't they'd have been up top when the police turned up!

 

[shaddam]

Cool little bit and bobs !