OPPOSITION FOCUS | Hampton & Richmond (A)

The Tudors go travelling again, but this time not so far as they pop down to Greater London to face Hampton & Richmond. After a good run of form both home and away, Lee Allinson's Tudors look to extend their unbeaten run to seven. The Beavers haven't had the same luck, having just 1 win in their last 6, with 5 prior to their match up with Aveley, being losses. Let's learn a little more about them.

The Key Info:

Founded: 1921

Nickname: The Beavers

Manager: Alan Julian

Stadium: Beveree Stadium

Capacity: 3,800

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 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 Manager:

A hugely experienced goalkeeper, Alan Julian racked up over 450 career appearances before joining Hampton, including almost a hundred in the Football League.  After starting out aged nine with his local league club, Brentford, the Ashford-based ‘keeper went on to win international honours with Northern Ireland.

Alan Julian featured in a number of friendlies for the Beavers during the extended pre-season of summer/autumn 2020, but was listed simply as ‘trialist’ on team sheets.

Alan suffered an injury shortly before the opening fixture of the 2023/24 season and failed to make an appearance, announcing his retirement from football on 9th March 2024.  A ceremony was held on the pitch after the final home fixture of the season on 13th April 2024 and ‘Jules’ was presented with a framed shirt and thanks for his service to the club.

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Let's hear you Tudor Army and keep on cheering the boys on as they continue their run of good form away from home! See you tomorrow! 🫡