Paul ‘Companion’ Cooke
Paul is our Head of Media and was one of the original presenters of Poppies TV during it’s trial period towards the end of the 2013-14 season. He has been associated with the club since he moved to the town from the USA in 1983. Paul has been the club’s award winning long term programme editor a post he still holds today, and has reported on the club for the BBC, SKY, ITV and many National, local newspapers / radio and football magazines. He also had a book published called, ‘The Poppies Companion an A-Z of Kettering Town 1979 – 98’ and has held various roles within the club ranging from hospitality, in house photographer, associate director and a short spell as the Club Secretary. Paul is the heart beat of the live match day pre-show and presides over the team as the anchor-man. He also commentates is our script writer, statistician and historian.
Ed ‘Eden’ Palmer
Ed has been working for Poppies Media for eight seasons. During that time he has performed many roles within the club. Originally a commentator on Poppies Radio he has continuously worked within the media team ever since as a co presenter for the pre-& post match shows and as a matchday commentator, he has overseen two ground changes and a branding change, to Poppies TV. Ed is a contributor to the matchday programme, ‘Eden’s Project’ (or The Garden with Eden), and has allegedly got a striking resemblance to a young Sir Michael Caine, not a lot of people know that. He has also written for local newspapers and made appearances on BBC Radio Northampton. Ed is also producing the show in Glenn’s absence.
Matt ‘Marathon Man’ Spearman
Matt has supported the Poppies for over 28 years and has seen a lot of highs and lows since his dad first took him to a game, lifting him over the turnstiles on Britannia Road. He was hooked and has been going ever since having great memories especially in the FA Cup at Lincoln, Notts County and Leeds United. Matt, a teacher, joined the Poppies TV crew three seasons ago and has performed most functions including commentary, camera duties, assisting Cookie in the studio presenting and last season he made his debut as a stadium announcer. Matt is the second main matchday commentator mainly for home matches and helps out presenting the pre-match show.
Peter ‘Shorty’ Short
There are very few roles Peter hasn’t performed at KTFC – from mowing the pitch with Sid Chapman for his work experience aged 16, flipping burgers in the early 00s, to working behind the turnstiles and editing the programme. Today “Shorty” is a bit of a sports media whore, acting as club photographer, occasional Poppies TV cameraman and commentator, writing for the Non-League Paper and updating listeners to BBC local radio. Occasionally he also gets to see the odd goal fly in but that means he’s missed the photo that would be on the back page of the newspapers! Peter is very easy to spot home and away as he’s usually wearing sandals, even in January!
Richard ‘Aka’ Atkinson
Richard has been following the Poppies since 1989, when he got on a bus with his school friends to head to Selhurst Park for the FA Cup match against Charlton Athletic. He was a regular fixture on the Britannia Road until the events of 2011 deprived the Poppies of a permanent home. Having helped to organise the petition and march on the Council offices, he is now the Vice Chairman of the Poppies Supporters Trust. He is the highlights editor for Poppies TV, and has also been seen up on the gantry operating the camera, and trying his hand at commentary. In the “real” world he works as a Musician, and can generally be found touring the country with one Musical or another.
Gary ‘Ozzy’ Foreman
Made his Poppies debut aged 7 on Boxing Day, 1974 v Cambridge City, with a first away appearance at some place called Wembley in 1979. Gary then spent his teenage years in the Tin Hat before returning to the stand as a season ticket holder. Becoming a prolific supporter away too, he progressed as an Exec Member, then an Associate Director. Remains though a volunteer at heart and will consistently relieve you of your cash at the table inside the turnstiles. Spent some games during the (17/18) on loan with Poppies TV as a co-commentator and secured a dual registration of duties in the summer. Now a full-time member of the team.
Glenn ‘The Wizard’ Thyer
Glenn was the original producer and special effects director when Poppies TV was launched in 2013-14 season. A massive catalogue of experience in the film and TV industry and in more recent years he has worked on Jeff Wayne’s, ‘War of the Worlds’ national tours. Glenn works freelance in the advertising industry adding his talents to some of the UK’s leading products. Glenn returned to the team during October 2020.