George Rolls linked with possible Kettering takeover

Kettering Town caretaker manager Ashley Westwood says former Weymouth and Cambridge United chairman George Rolls is interested in taking over the club.

Rolls currently acts as a consultant to Weymouth board, with his wife Amanda now in the chair.

Poppies boss Westwood told BBC Radio Northampton: "All I know is that he is working hard, he's interested in doing it and he's potentially there.

"I'm aware there's still some things to be done and sorted out."

He added: "Hopefully it can get sorted, he can be the owner and we can move forward."

The Poppies, currently owned by Imraan Ladak, lie 22nd in the Blue Square Bet Premier and have serious financial issues.

They must pay their football creditors, including the players, by 28 February or face a points deduction and fine.

Their winding up petition from HM Revenue & Customs was deferred until early April.

Rolls, who made his money in recruiting, was appointed chairman at Cambridge United in January 2009, having previously sat on the board, but resigned in August that same year after a falling out with then manager Martin Ling.

Three months later, he saved Weymouth from administration by completing a deal to buy the south coast club.

Former Poppies director Ken Samuel, who has been assisting the Supporters Trust with their efforts to save the club, also believes the Rolls takeover is close.

"I think things are moving again, which is good news," Samuel told BBC Radio Northampton.

"There have been meetings [on Wednesday] and hopefully something will happen by the end of the week - but we've been here before. So it's difficult to be categorical about it.

"George Rolls has been very helpful in recent weeks, so we're grateful for that."

Samuel admits that he does not know of any other potential buyers at this stage, but that current chairman Ladak is not playing an active role in running the club.

"Imraan Ladak has no day to day involvement in the club and no involvement in the current finances. He doesn't take any money out of the club but he isn't putting any money in. He's divorced from the club at this moment in time," he added.

"The question I'd ask to supporters is: do we want a club?

"I'm fighting hard, day and night, to ensure something happens that we at least have a football club to carry on watching.

"I just hope the public come and support us by continuing to come through the turnstiles, by putting money in buckets and hopefully we'll have another fundraising game next Tuesday. It's the way that true supporters can help."