Fans 'can't wait' for Cobblers v Kettering in FA Cup

Kettering Town's FA Cup visit to neighbours Northampton will "bring back some nostalgia" says former Poppies captain Luke Graham.

Seventh-tier Kettering of the Southern League Premier Division were handed a trip to the League One Cobblers in Monday's first-round draw.

Despite co-existing just 17 miles apart for more than 125 years, the two sides have met only twice in competitive fixtures before, the last time in November 1989.

"Everyone associated with either club, or who just loves football, can’t wait for this game now," Graham told BBC Radio Northampton.

Luke Graham came through the ranks at Northampton before going on to play more than 150 games in three spells with Kettering

Graham was born in Kettering but came through the Northampton academy - appearing on the Cobblers bench the last time they faced opponents from the same county nearly 20 years ago.

"It’s brilliant. For a lot of us it brings back a bit of nostalgia," he added.

"There used to be some great derby days between Rushden and Kettering years ago.

"Northampton were always looking over their shoulder at Kettering and Rushden trying to get into the league. Rushden did and I was part of the first team squad when Rushden played Northampton a couple of times.

"It was great to have that local rivalry which has ebbed away over the years."

Graham went on to play more than 150 games for the Poppies when he was a team-mate of Cobblers boss Jon Brady in 2008.

He was also part of the Kettering coaching staff alongside manager Richard Lavery - then assistant boss - five years ago.

"I have kept in touch with Jon and I speak to Richard quite regularly," Graham added.

"They are both winners. They have got that in common and I look forward to them going toe-to-toe."

Kettering booked their place in round one for the first time in 13 years with a 2-1 win over sixth-tier Farsley Celtic on Saturday.

The Poppies - whose team included former Newcastle United striker Nile Ranger -bounced back from an FA Trophy defeat at home by Gainsborough Trinity seven days earlier

They reached the fourth round as recently as the 2008-09 season, with Lincoln City and Notts County among their victims, before finally losing to Fulham.

The following campaign, they held Leeds United to a draw in the second round before being on the receiving end of a 5-1 defeat at Elland Road in the replay.

Since their first-round loss to Sutton United in 2011 they have endured relegations, administration, changes of ground and the rescinding of a winding-up order which saved them from extinction.

They were relegated to the seventh tier of English football in 2023 but there is now a mood of optimism around with co-owner George Akhtar declaring an ambition last month to take them into the EFL.

Kevin Shoemake went on to work for the Northamptonshire FA and serve as the Cobblers goalkeeper coach.

A total of 82 league places separate the two sides with the Cobblers 20th in League One and Kettering sixth in the Southern League Premier Central division.

The last meeting between the two was at the same stage in 1989 when the Cobblers won 1-0 at Kettering's old Rockingham Road ground.

Kevin Shoemake, who was in goal for the Poppies, told BBC Radio Northampton they "missed a hatful of chances".

"Within 10 minutes of the draw finishing (on Monday night) I was getting some stick on social media. The build-up will be fantastic and has to be embraced," Shoemake added.

"It’s fantastic for both clubs and both sets of supporters and staff too. It’s a great occasion not just on the pitch but off it as well."

Northampton were 3-0 winners at home in their only other meeting with Kettering, in the FA Cup second round in November 1961.