- Dolaghan (21', 74')
History
Hampton FC were formed in 1921 (changing their name to Hampton & Richmond Borough FC in 1999). The club are the only Senior Football Team in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, an area dominated by Rugby Clubs. Hampton’s early years were spent in Junior Football competing in the Kingston & District and the South West Middlesex Leagues until 1959 (Hampton’s main honours during that period were four KDFL Championships between 1929 and 1933). Having secured a lease on Beveree, Hampton made the move into Senior Football, joining the Surrey Senior League.
The Beavers won the Surrey Senior League Championship in 1964 and were then invited to join the Spartan League. Hampton won three Spartan League and Cup doubles during their stay in the Spartan League. In October 1967 Hampton made their best-ever signing when they persuaded Alan Simpson OBE to take the role of Club President. He would remain Club President for 50 years until his death in 2017, his funeral was held on the Beveree pitch.
The Club’s first floodlights were installed in 1967 and after a short stay in the Athenian League, joined the Isthmian League in 1973. The Beavers played in various divisions, at one stage sinking down to Division 3 before a surge up the league saw them gain a place in the Premier Division in 1998. At the end of the 2002/03 season the Beavers were relegated but shortly after the signing of Alan Devonshire (ex-England & West Ham United) as Manager saw a resurgence in fortune which saw them gain the Isthmian League Championship in 2007. The Beavers would spend five seasons in the Football Conference South, twice narrowly missing out on promotion to the apex of Non-League, losing two play-off finals in 2008 and 2009.
The Beavers found themselves back in the Isthmian League for the start of the 2012/13 season, a season after Alan Devonshire had moved on. The following two seasons saw disappointing finishes of 13 and 12th, one month into season 2014/15 joint managers Paul Barry and Darren Powell resigned and ex-Kingstonian Manager, Alan Dowson, was appointed.
Under Alan Dowson the club won the Isthmian League Championship once again in 2015-16, seeing promotion to the National League South. The club also won the Isthmian League Charity Shield in August 2016. Gary McCann took over as Manager in the summer of 2018.
The club have appeared in the FA Cup 1st Round Proper on three occasions (losing 2-1 at Barnet in 2000; 3-0 at home to Dagenham & Redbridge in 2007 and most recently narrowly losing 2-1 at home to Oldham Athletic after leading for most of the game). In the FA Trophy the Beavers reached the last 16 in 2012. In County Cups the Beavers have won the Middlesex Senior Cup in 2006, 2008, 2012, 2014 & 2017. The club have also won the Middlesex Charity Cup in 1970, 1996, 1998 & 1999.
The Club have over the years improved Beveree to a state where it now has a ground capacity of 3,500 (including 750 seats) without losing the ‘country’ and ‘village’ feel of the place and has a reputation as a welcoming and friendly club. The club has its own Football Academy as well as a large youth set up. The Club remain fully committed to the local community having been part of life in Hampton Village for a century.
Form
The Beavers have been in the play-off places for virtually the whole season, largely thanks to their incredible run between October and January when the side went on a 17-match unbeaten run across all competitions.
Recently, the Beavers have hit somewhat of a rough patch, without a win in three. However, before that, they put another string of results together, a seven-match unbeaten streak and winning five of those matches.
Entering April, the Beavers have six matches remaining and sit 6th in the league table, one position behind Worthing who have one extra point having played an extra game.
Last six
29/3 – Tonbridge Angels (H) – Drew 0-0
23/3 – Torquay United (A) – Lost 1-0
19/3 – Welling United (H) – Drew 1-1
16/3 – Hemel Hempstead Town (A) – Won 1-2
9/3 – Chippenham Town (H) – Won 2-1
5/3 – Eastbourne Borough (H) – Won 1-0
The Gaffer
Mel Gwinnett was appointed as First Team Manager at the Beveree back in January 2023.
Following Mel’s appointment, the team were able to escape the relegation places, finishing 17th in the National League South for the 2022/23 season.
Formerly a goalkeeping coach for Exeter City and MK Dons, Gwinnett took on the Assistant Manager role at Stevenage in 2021.
His last role before taking the hot seat at the ‘Bev’ was Assistant Manager at Barnet where he worked under Dean Brennan.
The Captain
Former Crystal Palace youngster Jake Gray wears the armband for the South East London side.
While at Crystal Palace, Gray secured loan spells to Cheltenham and Hartlepool. After gaining experience elsewhere, Gray returned to Palace and made the Premier League bench on four occasions before racking up over a hundred EFL appearances at Yeovil, Hartlepool and Luton.
The Aylesbury-born midfielder moved to Woking, before joining the Beavers on loan where he made 18 appearances, scoring three. In August 2020, Gray signed permanently for Hampton. Made captain in January 2023, Gray was 2023’s Player’s Player of the Year.
Key Player
Ben Seymour is the Beavers’ top-scorer this season with 13 goals.
Seymour joined the Beavers from Plymouth Parkway in summer 2023 after a 20 goal league season in the Southern League.
Originally from Exeter, Ben joined his hometown club and was in the Academy whilst Mel Gwinnett was at Exeter City. Seymour was part of the Exeter squad which gained promotion to EFL League One, and also spent time at Yeovil Town and Bath City on loan.
Following his departure from Exeter, the striker moved to Parkway, spending a season at the Bolitho before moving to Hampton.
