Kettering Town 1950-51

Re-joined the Southern League (and met Barry Town for the first time) in the 1950-51 season. Previously Champions of the Southern League (Eastern Division) in 1927-28, Kettering Town were crowned Champions once again in 1956-57, losing only 4 times all season. Kettering were beaten to the Southern League North-Western Zone title by Hereford in 1958-59, but finished bottom of the reorganised Southern League Premier Division in 1959-60. Kettering were crowned Southern League Champions once again in 1972-73 (after being promoted as Champions from the 1st Division North only the season before). Kettering have been runners-up of the Conference on 3 occasions (1988-89, 1993-94 and 1998-99), but were relegated in 2001 to the Southern League once more - only to be crowned as Champions for the 4th time, gaining promotion back up to the Conference once again. 2002-03 was a disaster though as Kettering finished 22nd from 22 and elected to join the Isthmian (Ryman) Premier were they remain. Kettering reached the FA Cup 4th Round in 1988-89 before losing out to Charlton Athletic, and reached the 3rd Round in 1991-92 losing to Blackburn Rovers. Kettering reached Wembley in 1977-78 for the FA Trophy Final but were defeated by Stafford Rangers. Another Wembley Final came in 2000 when Kettering again lost out in the FA Trophy, this time to Kingstonians 3-2.

Click here to view Barry v Kettering all time stats

God times, bad times - what the Kettering fans say:
'G.'
good: "you can only go on what you have experienced yourself so my personal greatest moment would probably be the final whistle going at Telford Utd that meant we were through to the Trophy final at Wembley again."

bad: "Beating Woking at home on the last day of the Conference season but still being relegated. Thank you Mr Mallinger,we used to have a football club at Rockingham Road you know !"

'cjb'
good: Southern League Championship celebrations in 1973 in the "Bowling Green" after the final home game, followed by an almighty piss-up at Big Ron's place afterwards. I vividly remember Ken Gully, ex Barry Town, sticking all four past your lot (in 66/67 I think) in a 4-0 win. (ex-Barry striker Ken Gully did indeed stick 4 past his old club Barry Town, resulting in the Barry manager, Basil Bright, getting the heave-ho. Ex-player, but then current board member, Neil O'Halloran took over the reigns - indirectly changing Barry's history irrevocably! DF.) Boy, was he a goalscorer, or what. About 5'8" but could head the ball better than Darren Lynch, Collins and all the others. Returned to Wales (to Barry I think) a few years ago. Good player, great bloke too. How many KT fans reading this remember the Steve Gammon/Ken Gully free kick goals?

bad: 1) Derek Dougan joining KTFC. Did some great things, shirt sponsorship and a decent cup run, but worked to a different agenda. 2) Any defeat this season; last time it was this bad was pre-Ken Gully, early '60's 3) Relegations 2 years ago and last year. 4) Current manager appointment 5) Paying over-rated non-league players ludicrously over-the-top wages . I could go on but you'll nod off.

'bonehead'
good: "The first Poppies' game I ever watched was the season's home opener in the 66-67 season, which also happened to be against Barry. Ken Gully got at least one in a 2-0 or 2-1 win. I blame a lot of my support for Kettering over the last 37 seasons on Ken Gully"

'kejktfc'
good: "Wembley stands out as a high point as does Tiverton* (must admit I did enjoy the Dr Martins experience)(*Kettering were crowned Southern League Champions - DF.), however couldn't get to Tivvy and had to 'watch' the match on Poppies Chatterbox MKI."

Kidderminster Harriers 1948-49

After spending over 50 years in regional midlands divisions, Kidderminster joined Barry Town in the Southern League for the 1948-49 season. The very first meeting between the two clubs in January 1949 ended 5-1 in the Harriers favour. The reverse fixture at Jenner saw Barry Town run out 2-1 winners with goals from Cain and Dodds. After Southern League highwater marks of 3rd and 5th throughout the 1950s, Kidderminster spent the 1960s back in the West Midlands, not resurfacing in the Southern League until the 1972-73 season. After several years of consolidation, Kidderminster became something of a force in the Southern League not finishing out of the top 5 in their last 4 years in the Southern League prior to joining to the Alliance Premier League in 1983-84. The APL became the Conference in 1986 with Kidderminster being crowned as Champions in 1993-94. Ground regulation problems stifled Kidderminster's promotion to League status however, and the chance appeared to have been missed. The 1999-2000 season saw Kidderminster Harriers crowned Conference Champions a second time and Division Three football is where Kidderminster remain. Kidderminster's greatest FA Cup run came in their Conference championship winning season of 1993-94 where they were finally knocked out of the competition in the 5th Round 1-0 by West Ham United, after accounting for Birmingham City and Preston North End in Rounds 3 and 4 respectively. The FA Trophy was won in 1986-87 against Burton Albion at WBA's The Hawthorns after a 0-0 at Wembley. Were beaten Finalists at Wembley in 1990-91 versus Wycombe Wanderers, and again in 1994-95 against Woking. Kidderminster were Welsh Cup runners-up in 1989 when they were crushed 5-0 by Swansea City at the Vetch.

King's Lynn 1971-72

Joining the Southern League in 1958-59, it wasn't until the 1971-72 season after King's Lynn were relegated from the Southern League Premier to the Southern League Division 1 North that King's Lynn and Barry Town met. It was Barry's worst season in their history, finishing on a lowly 9 points (10 points in today's money, after 1 win and 7 draws.). The away tie to King's Lynn ending 4-0 to the 'other' Linnets, and the reverse fixture ending 3-2 also in their favour. Southern League form was unspectacular, including a 3 year stint in the Northern Premier League. However, a runners-up spot came in 1984-85, and another runners-up spot and promotion to the Southern League Premier came in 1995-96, despite the deduction of points. Relegation back to the Eastern Division came at the end of 2001-02, and the Dr Martins Eastern Division is where they remain. King's Lynn FA Cup runs include reaching the 3rd Round in 1961-62 where Everton were their victors, and mostly recently 1997-98 where Rotherham knocked them out at the 2nd Round stage.