{{Short description|Former football stadium in Kettering, England}} {{about|the stadium|the road in Australia|Rockingham Road, Perth}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2021}} {{Use British English|date=February 2023}} {{Infobox venue | name = Rockingham Road | nickname = | logo_image = | logo_caption = | image = Home of The Poppies - geograph.org.uk - 617192.jpg | image_size = 250px | caption = | fullname = | former_names = | location = [[Kettering]], [[Northamptonshire]] | coordinates = {{coord|52|24|39.82|N|0|43|41.98|W|display=inline,title}} | broke_ground = | built = | opened = 1897 | renovated = | expanded = | closed = 2011 | demolished = 2017 | owner = | operator = | surface = grass | scoreboard = | cost = | architect = | project_manager = | structural_engineer = | services_engineer = | general_contractor = | main_contractors = | capacity = 6,264 (1,800 seated) | suites = | record_attendance = | dimensions = | acreage = | volume = | tenants = [[Kettering Town F.C.]] (1897–2011) | embedded = | website = }}
'''Rockingham Road''' was a [[Association football|football]] stadium in [[Kettering]], [[Northamptonshire]], [[England]]. It was home to [[Kettering Town F.C.]] from 1897 until 2011.
At the time of its closure, the ground had a capacity of 6,264, of which 1,800 was seated.
In September 2017, the land was sold by the owner, Ben Pickering Limited. The site was first identified as a potential site for [[housing]] in 2005 by the [[local authority]], and press reports indicated that the new owner was likely to use the land for a housing development.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/poppies-former-rockingham-road-home-bought-by-developer-1-8149278 |title=Poppies' former Rockingham Road home bought by developer - Northamptonshire Telegraph |website=www.northantstelegraph.co.uk |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914125717/http://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/poppies-former-rockingham-road-home-bought-by-developer-1-8149278 |archive-date=2017-09-14}}</ref>
During November 2017, the entire stadium and associated structures were demolished and the site cleared for redevelopment.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-northamptonshire-41264994|title=Rockingham Road: Former Kettering Town ground 'acquired by housing developer'|work=BBC News|date=14 September 2017}}</ref>
==Repossession== On 4 August 2011, Kettering Town Club moved into [[Nene Park]] after agreeing to a long-term-lease with the landlord.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/14409361 |title=Kettering Town agree long-term Nene Park contract |date=4 August 2011 |work=bbc.co.uk/sport |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=19 December 2011}} </ref>
On 19 December 2011, the ground was repossessed by bailiffs acting on behalf of the owner, Ben Pickering. A notice on the entry to the ground read, {{cquote|"Pursuant to Clause 5 of the [May 1998 lease between Kettering Town Management Ltd and Ben Pickering Ltd], we as authorised agents of the said Ben Pickering Ltd have this day re-entered the premises demised by the said lease and the said lease is thereby determined absolutely."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16245357 |title=Kettering Town's Rockingham Road ground repossessed |work=bbc.co.uk/sport|publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 December 2011 |access-date=19 December 2011 }}</ref>}}
Despite football being no longer played at the grounds, its social club was still in use by the supporters-trust and was also being used for storage of club stock which is still there.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.northantset.co.uk/community/local-businesses/football_ground_s_locks_are_changed_as_owner_takes_legal_action_1_3350855 |title=Football ground's locks are changed as owner takes legal action |work=Northants Evening Telegraph|date=19 December 2011 |accessdate=19 December 2011 }}</ref>
==External links== *[https://archive.today/20121015180853/http://www.btinternet.com/~portconnection/grounds/kettering.htm Kettering Town – Rockingham Road (archived)]
==References== {{reflist}}
[[Category:Kettering Town F.C.]] [[Category:Defunct football venues in England]] [[Category:Sports venues in Northamptonshire]] [[Category:Kettering]] [[Category:Sports venues completed in 1897]] [[Category:Sports venues demolished in 2017]]
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