Newport County v Hampton & Richmond

Blue Square South League
Saturday 30th August 2008

The Town

Hampton & Richmond Borough are based in the suburb of Hampton, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, London, England. They were founded in 1921 and formerly known as Hampton F.C. until 1999 when they changed their name in an attempt to draw a wider support base from around the Borough. In August 2007, the club started their first campaign as members of the Conference South. The club has a core support base of around 300 to 350 people, average attendances have been rising for the past two seasons and continue to do so. The club remains the only senior level football club to represent the borough (which includes the towns of Hampton, Teddington, Twickenham, Whitton and Richmond), and is consequently seen as its football club. However, the club arguably struggles in attendance due to the close proximity of other London football clubs, and the popularity of rugby union in the borough.






Directions
Exit the M25 at the M3 Junction and head towards Central London. Come off at Junction 1 (Sunbury) and follow signs for A308 Kingston. After approximately 2 miles turn left into High Street, then immediately left into Station Road. The entrance to Bevere is in Beaver Close which is 200 yards on the right.

Alternatively, from the A3 exit at the junction signed Hampton Court. Follow signs for Hampton Court which will take you through Esher and past Sandown Race course. Once over Hampton Court Bridge turn left on to Hampton Court Road. After approx 1½ miles turn right in to High Street, then left in to Station Road.

By rail
Hampton (BR), ten minutes walk

 

Recent Club History

Hampton FC were formed in 1921, changing their name to Hampton & Richmond Borough in 1999. The Club are the only Senior Football team in a Borough dominated by Rugby. Hampton`s early years were spent in local football, the Kingston & District and South West Middx Leagues. Hampton acquired the lease of their attractively situated ground (The Beveree) on the north bank of the River Thames in 1959. Hampton joined the Surrey Senior League and in 1964 won the Championship and were accepted into the Spartan League. In the next seven seasons Hampton won four league titles and a runners-up spot (including several league and cup doubles) and the Beavers were one of the top local sides. In 1967 Hampton were one of the first non league sides to install floodlights and after two seasons in the Athenian League (1971/73), Hampton moved up to the Isthmian League. Hampton remained in Division One until 1990 when a slide down the league found them in Division 3 for the 1991/92 season. Hampton returned to Division 2 after one season but between 1994 and 1998 Hampton, guided by Manager, Chic Botley and his Chairman, Bob Hayes, surged up the league to the Premier Division for the 1998/99 season. In 1997 a new stand was built at the Club House end (now named the Alan Simpson Stand, in honour of the Club President, who first became associated with the club in 1967).  The Beavers, still regarded by many as a `Village Club`, surprised many by staying in the top flight for five seasons before relegation in 2003. During the 200/01 season Hampton , under Steve Cordery, also made it to the F A Cup 1st Round Proper for the first time, only to go out to Football League side Barnet, 2-1 after leading 1-0 with less than ten minutes to go.Determined to get back to the Premier Division, Hampton convinced Alan Devonshire, of West Ham and England fame, to join the cause. At the end of the 2003/04 season Hampton gained a promotion spot, and then just missed out on a Conference South promotion play off spot by one point in 2004/05.  During the next season, 2005/06, Hampton led the Isthmian (sponsored by Ryman) Premier for three months but slipped to fifth, however it took a 3-0 defeat at Fisher Athletic in the Play Off Final to stop Hampton`s attempt to get to the Nationwide Conference South. Hampton also won the Middlesex Senior Cup for the first time in their history beating Conference South, Hayes, in a penalty shoot out. After four years of steady progress the Beavers annexed the 2006/07 Championship of the Ryman League, coming through the pack in one of the League`s closest championship races, to make sure of the title on a thrilling last day and book their place in the Blue Square South for the 2007/08 season.  Hampton surprised many experts by finishing third and then beating Fisher Athletic in a two legged Play Off Semi-Final before losing out to Eastbourne Borough in the Final at Stevenage Borough, they also won their way to the First Round of the F A Cup again, losing 3-0 at home to League Two Dagenham & Redbridge, the Middlesex Senior Cup was won for the second time in their history, beating Hendon, 3-0.




 

Previous Meetings

Hampton have had the edge against County in the way matches winning three out of three. The last meeting at Spytty in Feburary 2008 saw the sides share a 2-2 draw.

The Verdict