McDonald aims to spark Kettering revival

Liam McDonald is Kettering Town's third manager of 2025 following Richard Lavery and Simon Hollyhead

Liam McDonald insists it is not too late for Kettering Town to produce a promotion push this season after being appointed as the non-league club's new manager.

McDonald was announced on Sunday as the replacement for Simon Hollyhead, who resigned eight days earlier following just four months in the job.

"Kettering is a massive football club - it's a club that shouldn't be at this level," McDonald told BBC Radio Northampton's Non-League Scene.

McDonald's task at Kettering will be to repeat what he achieved with Rushall Olympic in 2023 and lead them into the National League set-up from tier three of the non-league pyramid.

"The goals that were set for Kettering as a team at the start of this season - yes, things haven't been great of late and we've lost our way a little bit - but those goals are still there," he added.

"Are they still achievable? Yes, they are. It's going to take a lot of hard work, but they have a 12th man in 1,000 plus Poppies fans that are going to be there, they're so passionate about the club and the team and they are game changers, and were last season."

A former Kettering player, McDonald began his coaching career at Redditch United before moving on to manage Hednesford Town, Solihull Moors, Rushall and Stourbridge, who he left in the summer.

The Poppies are currently 10th in Southern League Premier Central following Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Needham Market, having reached the play-offs last season.

"We are looking at making sure we are fighting at the top end of it [the table].... ultimately, it's the biggest club in the division and with that comes a lot of responsibility," said McDonald.

"We want to get the boys enjoying their football because playing for Kettering, you have to have broad shoulders because it's a club that demands - and sometimes that's not for everybody."

McDonald's first game in charge will be at home to St Ives Town on Saturday.