Hampton & Richmond Borough

History

Hampton FC, established in 1921 and later renamed Hampton & Richmond Borough FC in 1999, began its journey in junior football leagues before stepping into senior football by joining the Surrey Senior League in 1959. The club, unique as the sole senior football team in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, celebrated early success with four KDFL Championships between 1929 and 1933 and continued to prosper by winning the Surrey Senior League Championship in 1964. Their progression led them to the Spartan League, where they secured three league and cup doubles, marking a period of significant achievement alongside welcoming Alan Simpson OBE as Club President in 1967, a pivotal figure for fifty years.

The Beavers’ history is highlighted by their ascendancy through the football leagues, experiencing both promotions and relegations, and the notable installation of their first floodlights in 1967. Their journey through the Athenian League to the Isthmian League in 1973 saw fluctuating fortunes, including a relegation in 2003 followed by a resurgence under the management of Alan Devonshire, which culminated in winning the Isthmian League Championship in 2007. This success propelled them into the Football Conference South, where they twice came close to promotion, underlining a period of competitive strength and ambition.

Under the guidance of various managers, including a significant tenure by Alan Dowson, the club continued to achieve, winning the Isthmian League Championship again in 2016 and securing promotion to the National League South. Their FA Cup and FA Trophy runs, alongside victories in county cups, underscore a history of competitive resilience. The club’s commitment to its local community and development of its facilities at Beveree, maintaining a blend of traditional charm and modern capacity, alongside its youth academy, illustrates Hampton & Richmond Borough FC’s role as a cornerstone of local football and community spirit for over a century.