Non-league Kettering Town fans prepare the football pitch for TV

Armed with their paintbrushes and toolboxes, lifelong Kettering Town fans are busy preparing their 3,000-capacity ground ready for next month’s televised FA Cup match.

There were cheers after the Poppies humbled local rivals – League One side Northampton Town – in the first round, beating the Cobblers 2-1 at Sixfields.

Their next opponents are League Two side Doncaster Rovers, and their Latimer Park site will be on display for viewers across the country.

The volunteers tell the BBC what they have been up to as the ground prepares for kick-off.

Roger Rose from Burton Latimer, where the Kettering site is located, repairs an earlier chicken wire fence with neater plastic mesh.

“Being fans and coming here every week, we see the little things that annoy us and will annoy other people, so we go ahead and get it done,” he says.

The 63-year-old previously worked as a technician in the NHS and says he enjoys the ‘camaraderie’ of volunteers.

“Last week we were busy repairing a tap in the toilets of the clubhouse.

“If you look at the improvements on site, it’s so much better now.

“Even simple things that most people just pass by and don’t even notice have changed.”

Tony Heath says there is “a lot of work to be done” ahead of Doncaster’s arrival on December 1.

He comes to the club on Thursdays with other volunteers. He has been working on the hedges by “bringing some shape back” and cutting back the trees.

“It’s all for a good cause, for our beloved club,” he says.

‘I am one of those absurd people who have supported Kettering for a long time.

“It’s a very proud club and it’s something we can do to support the club.

“(The FA Cup) has the city in its grip now.”

Mike Thurland says he’s been following the Poppies for “probably 60 years – and it’s a good place to be right now.”

He and his wife are often given the task of “painting fences or anything that needs painting.”

Because the match was on TV, the 68-year-old says he “had to paint the club shop – a 12 meter container – twice”.

“We’re a good group here and we all get along,” Mike says.

“We all laugh and joke, often at each other’s expense, but the atmosphere is really good.

“Since we started this cup run, more and more people have become interested and willing to help.

“The more that come, the better the place looks.”

Ian Hopewell is both groundsman and club secretary. He says the volunteers have “done a remarkable job.”

Thanks to its participation in the FA Cup, the club has also seen an increase in attendances, which he says is “great”.

“These are the foundations of a football club and the better the facilities are when the crowds get bigger,” he says.

“It’s more of a matchday experience for them and you can’t put a value on that.”