HAMPTON & RICHMOND FC GEAR UP FOR NEW SEASON WITH NEW BOSS

A late Josh Keeya header capped off a positive pre-season for Hampton & Richmond FC and new manager Alan Julian, as The Beavers won 1-0 over Bishop’s Stortford at Beveree Stadium.

The home side had created chances throughout, but it took until the 79th?minute for the deadlock to be broken, Keeya finding space at the far post to head home an inch-perfect Kris Campbell corner.

Hampton & Richmond have impressed throughout Julian’s first pre-season in charge, and this victory only added to the anticipation building before the National League South season begins next Saturday.

The TW12 side will host Hornchurch at Beveree Stadium on August 10.

Hampton & Richmond FC were delighted to announce the appointment of Alan Julian as the Club’s new First Team Manager back in May.

Julian moved into the role having spent the past few seasons at Beveree as both a player and, more recently, as a coach.

The former shot-stopper brings with him 22 years of both Football League and National Experience, including four promotions and an FA Trophy triumph during 645 senior appearances.

Last season, Alan made the decision to retire from his playing career and make the move into coaching.

Having played a significant role for the Beavers both on the pitch and in the dressing room for several campaigns, Managing Director William King was excited to welcome the Manager.

“Everyone who knows Alan knows what a model professional he is and the level of love that he has for the game.”

He continued. “Playing to such a high standard throughout his career, and demanding only the very best from his teammates, we are excited to see him take these skills and his desire?into management, especially during such an exciting time for the Beavers.”

On his appointment, Alan Julian expressed his eagerness to get stuck into the role.

“This club has meant a lot to me for the few years that I’ve been here. It is a club with family and community at its core and that has always resonated with me.”

“Speaking to Will and the board, I am really excited about the project here at Hampton & Richmond. I’m a big believer that clubs and squads should operate as sustainably as possible, whilst always driving to be the very best and trying to win every single game.”

The new Boss in TW12 was also keen to send a positive message to Hampton & Richmond supporters.

“I’ve had the privilege to be involved in some unbelievable successes in my career which I never take for granted and I understand the level of hard work it takes to achieve that success.

I’m determined to make sure this club and these fans get to create more memories and continue to win.?I can’t wait to get started and to see everyone at the Bev.”

Since his appointment, Alan has overseen the rapid recruitment of a new 21-man playing squad, and a successful pre-season campaign.

Ones to watch

Ted Curd – Hampton & Richmond FC were delighted to announce the Loan signing of Chelsea Academy Goalkeeper, Ted Curd, back at the end of June.

The 18-year-old shot-stopper arrives at Beveree having spent part of last season on loan at Isthmian League Premier side Hashtag United. Making 16 starts and quickly becoming a fan favourite, Ted returned to Chelsea in January. He was then named on the senior bench for the home leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Middlesbrough and an away match at Aston Villa. Joining Chelsea at the age of nine, Ted has been a key part of sides that have won the Under-16 Premier League national finals and the Under-18 Premier League Cup, as well as being a part of the England Under-16 squad that won the Val de Marne trophy. He has also made appearances for England’s Under-17 squad.

James Roberts – In June 2024 James returned to the Bev, having previously spent a period on loan at the club in 2022.

Roberts was born in Aylesbury, and as a youth player represented Wycombe Wanderers and Oxford United, for whom he made his League Two debut aged 18 (and scored in his first start). James went on to play 34 times for Oxford United in League One and Two, whilst also enjoying a succession of loans in League Two and the National League. After leaving the Kassam Stadium, the winger/forward has hit double figures in the league in three of the last five seasons, at Spennymoor Town, Oxford City, and Havant & Waterlooville (where he also established a fierce tennis rivalry with Hawks’ goalkeeper Ross Worner).

Dom Revan – Comfortable at right back or centre back, Dominic signed from National League Barnet on an initial 28-day loan in December 2023, before signing permanently the following month.

Hailing from Wolverhampton, Revan started his career with Aston Villa, where he made his senior debut starting against Liverpool in the FA Cup. Whilst at Aston Villa, Dominic spent loans with Weymouth and Northampton before joining Barnet in 2022. Dominic’s younger brother, Sebastian, is also a footballer, currently playing for Rotherham. In his first season at the Bev, Dom made 22 appearances, laying on two assists from right back.

Attention now turns to the Beavers first game of the 2024/25 National League South Season. Hampton & Richmond kick-off at Beveree Stadium (Station Road, Hampton, TW12 2BX)?this Saturday (August 10) against Hornchurch FC, one of the divisions newly promoted sides, At 15:00. Gates open from 13:00.

Match Preview

Hampton & Richmond FC kick-off their Vanarama National League South campaign?at home for the first time since 2011 (played at home on first day of Isthmian League Premier in 2013), as newly promoted Hornchurch arrive at the Bev looking to hit the ground running. Ticket can be purchased HERE.

Who Are They?

Founded in 1923, Hornchurch actually debuted under the name Upminster Wanderers in the Romford League. This would remain the club's name until 1938, when they became Upminster Football Club, having now entered the Spartan League Second Division East. In 1952, after moving to their current home, the Hornchurch Stadium, a third change of name saw the side become Hornchurch & Upminster FC. It was not until 1961 that the Essex club became Hornchurch FC.

Financial issues in the mid 2000's saw the original club folded in the 2004/05 season. Quickly after, AFC Hornchurch was founded. Several promotions later, the club renamed to Hornchurch Football Club once again in 2019.

Perhaps the greatest achievement in the clubs history, Hornchurch overcame Hereford at Wembley Stadium in 2021 to be crowned FA Trophy winners, winning 3-1 in normal time.

Where They Stand

Alan Julian takes charge of the Beavers in his first competitive game as Manager. Julian took over the helm at Hampton & Richmond back in May, and has since overseen the recruitment of a new 21-man squad. Amongst the squad are four players from last season; Jake Gray, George Hunt, Jordan Cheadle and Dom Revan. Check our full squad HERE. In pre-season, his new squad produced four wins and a draw, scoring 12 goals and conceding once.?

Hornchurch, meanwhile, are one of four newly promoted teams to the division. Under the stewardship of Daryl McMahon, the Urchins?stormed to first place last season in the Isthmian Premier, amassing 100 points and finishing 21 points in front of second placed Chatham Town. The Upminster-based league champions won a staggering 31 of their 41 league games, scoring 95 goals in the process.

One To Watch

The visitors have been busy over the course of summer, ensuring they have a squad capable of being competitive at step 2. Most importantly, however, they have managed to retain several key players. Notably, Hornchurch have retained forward Liam Nash. In just three and a half years at the club, the striker has amassed 82 goals and 35 assists in 140 appearances, including the decisive goal in Hornchurch's FA Trophy triumph in 2021 at Wembley Stadium.?

Rising to prominence in 2016/17 with Maldon & Tiptree, Nash secured a move to League One Gillingham after scoring 33 goals in his breakout season. The striker then spent time on loan at several National League South clubs, scoring 15 goals, before joining Cork City. In 2020, he returned to England to join Hornchurch after moving to Gibraltar to play in the Gibraltar National League.

Last Time Out

The two sides last faced off in FA Cup action, a 3rd round qualifying replay in October 2020 saw Hampton & Richmond progress via penalties 4-3, with the game finishing 2-2 in normal time thanks to goals from Christian Smith and Niko Muir.

Prior to 2014, It had been a staggering 22 years since the Beavers last faced Hornchurch in a competitive fixture. Under the management of Mark Fewings, Hampton & Richmond earned an important three points on the road in a 1-3 victory against the Urchins. Goals from Beadle, Bere and Read secured the win at the back end of the 1991/92 Isthmian Third Division season, as Hampton & Richmond recovered from relegation and a re-organisation of the leagues in the two preceding seasons to earn promotion back to Step 5. That season, the Beavers lost on only nine occasions, winning 26 of 40 games.

Fixture History

Up until 1992, the two sides had enjoyed a steady stream of competitive fixtures, reaching all the way back to a 0-0 draw at the Bev in September 19755, under Ted Murphy. In 27 fixtures, the Beavers have emerged victorious 17 times, losing just five in the process. The most notable win also came in 91/92 season, only a month earlier in March 1992, when 151 supporters gathered at Beveree to watch a resounding 6-0 win for the hosts, with an astonishing five goals from Gary Ewing and another from Sansom. The Beavers have won 13 of the last 16, though neither manager or fanbase is likely to take much notice of this record, given its age.

Tickets are cheaper in advance and can be purchased at www.hamrichfc.com.