Non-league 
/ Joe Dyer / 30 March 2012 / Leave a Comment 
Kettering will not be wearing the retro kit after the Conference Premier and Blue Square issued the club with a 'stark ultimatum'
"Our intention was to make a donation and raise awareness of their plight. We feel as though we’ve done that."
Betfair's Alex Bake
Kettering Town won't be wearing a one-off retro seventies kit made especially by Betfair on Saturday after all. Here's why...
Betfair have regrettably withdrawn their one-off shirt sponsorship of Kettering Town FC after the cash-strapped club were threatened with expulsion from the Conference Premier following a challenge by league sponsors Blue Square.
However, Betfair will keep their word and make the full five-figure donation in a show of good faith.
The club, in dire need of a cash injection to avoid going out of business, had agreed to play Saturday's game against Stockport County in a kit specially designed by Betfair. The 1976 inspired strip was to mark the Poppies' pioneering status as the first UK club to carry a shirt sponsor.
On Thursday afternoon Blue Square, in conjunction with the Conference Premier, issued the club with a stark ultimatum - wear the shirts and be kicked out of the division. The move by the league sponsors echoes the problems faced by the club in 1976 when the FA ordered them to remove their first sponsor Kettering Tyres.
The fans are also set to miss out as season ticket holders were due to receive a rebate to attend the match for just £1 - the cost of entry in 1976.
Betfair's Alex Bake said: "Our intention was to make a donation and raise awareness of their plight. We feel as though we've done that.
"I'm surprised that the league sponsors have taken such an aggressive stance given that we're trying to ensure the survival of one of their teams. We've agreed to make the donation in full regardless of Saturday's activity."
Kettering Town acting Chairman George Rolls said: "It's frustrating that we've had to pull the sponsorship. On behalf of everyone at Kettering Town I'd like to thank Betfair for their generous donation."
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