Hampton & Richmond

For the entire FM community, regardless of their longevity in the video game, we are interested in the typical challenge “Road to glory”, which consists of choosing a club from the mud and taking it to glory. So I decided to embark on an adventure from the mud with some club from a division.

After choosing the challenge and with dopamine in the clouds, I went in search of an interesting country to carry out this challenge. I thought of Germany, France, New Zealand or Brazil, but my attention deficit did not let me concentrate on another league other than the typical one: the league of the country that best lives football, the always reliable Vanarama National League South & North of England.

Now I was ready to look for the team that we will take to glory. First I studied the North league and I was really struck by the Boston United and the Farsley Celtic, so they entered my pre-selection of clubs to direct. While, from the South league, the pre-selected teams would be Hampton & Richmond, Maidstone United or Torquay United.

It was time for the choice. The more I got into the context of each team, I watched a couple of recent games, studied squads, economy and the whole history of the pre-selected clubs and took two clubs to a final: Hampton & Richmond and Boston United. Now with the two teams that reached the last phase of choice, I had a very good connection, but one of them needs help in truth, not only the club, but the city. So I entered the reality of FM and arrived at …

Very well, with the team selected, we proceed to put in context all the readers about aspects such as the club, the city, the stadium and more aspects.

JAMES SMITH

James Smith always knew that his destiny was football. Since he was a child, he spent hours playing with his friends in the park, dreaming of being like his idols from Arsenal. His favorite position was central defender, where he could show his aggressiveness, his discipline and his determination. He didn’t care about getting dirty, hitting or bleeding, the only thing he cared about was defending his goal and his team.

His talent did not go unnoticed and at 16 he signed a youth contract with Arsenal, the club of his loves. It was a dream come true for James, who tried his best to impress his coaches and teammates. His opportunity came in the 2000-2001 season, when he was called up to train with the first team. James couldn’t believe it, he was one step away from debuting in the Premier League, the best league in the world.

But fate had a cruel surprise in store for him. In one of the training sessions, James suffered a hard tackle from a teammate that injured his ankle. The diagnosis was discouraging: ligament rupture and six months off. James sank into depression, seeing his dream of playing with Arsenal fade away. To make matters worse, the club decided to loan him to ADO Den Haag in the Netherlands in December 2001, so that he could recover and gain rhythm of competition.

James accepted the challenge and went to the Netherlands with the hope of returning to Arsenal stronger than ever. However, his experience at ADO Den Haag was disappointing. He only played three games with the first team, in which he did not stand out either for good or bad. He also did not adapt to the language, the climate or the culture of the country. He felt lonely and missed his home, his family and his club.

When his loan ended, James returned to Arsenal, but found that they no longer counted on him. His contract expired and no one offered to renew it. James felt betrayed and abandoned by the club that had given him everything. He was forced to look for another team, but no one from the Premier League was interested in him. His only option was to drop down a category and try his luck in the English ascent.

Thus began his pilgrimage through several modest clubs, such as Rochdale, Salford, Dulwich Hamlet or Maidstone United. In all of them, James gave his all, trying to recover his level and his confidence. But he never managed to stand out or move up a division. His career stagnated and he became a mediocre player, without illusion or ambition.

His last club was Maidstone United, where he arrived at 32. There, James lived his best stage as a footballer, being the captain and the leader of the team. His performance improved remarkably and he began to receive praise from the press and the public. It was even rumored that some clubs from the Championship had noticed him. James began to regain hope and to think that maybe he still had a chance to return to the elite.

But fate struck him hard again. In a match against Torquay United, James suffered a criminal tackle from an opponent that shattered his knee. The referee did not whistle a foul and the Torquay player got away with it. James fell to the ground, writhing in pain. He knew something was wrong, very wrong. The doctors entered the field and attended to him. They put him on a stretcher and took him off the pitch. James looked at the sky and cried. It was the end of his career as a player.

The diagnosis was devastating: meniscus tear, anterior cruciate ligament tear and medial collateral ligament tear. James needed urgent surgery and a long rehabilitation process. The doctors told him that he would never play football at the same level again. James refused to accept it and underwent surgery. He set out to return to the fields, even if he was limping. He didn’t want to give up, he didn’t want to retire like this. 

But reality prevailed. James spent a whole year trying to recover, but his knee did not respond. Every time he tried to run, jump or kick, he felt unbearable pain. His mobility was reduced and his strength vanished. James realized that it was useless to keep fighting. At 33, he announced his retirement as a professional player. It was a sad day for him and for everyone who had followed and supported him.

James felt empty and aimless. He didn’t know what to do with his life. Football had been his passion, his dream, his reason for being. Without it, he had nothing. He locked himself in his house, isolated himself from his friends and relatives, and fell into a deep depression. He thought about taking his own life, but he didn’t have the courage to do it. He just vegetated, without hope or illusion.

But one day, something changed. James received a call from his former Arsenal coach, Arsène Wenger. The Frenchman had heard about his situation and wanted to cheer him up. He told him that he regretted what had happened to him, that he had always believed in his potential and that he appreciated his dedication and professionalism. But above all, he told him not to give up, that he still had a lot to contribute to football, that he could reinvent himself and become a coach.

James was surprised and moved by Wenger’s words. It was the first time someone had spoken to him like that in a long time. He felt flattered and grateful. Wenger offered him his help and invited him to visit him at home. James accepted and went to France. There, Wenger introduced him to his technical friends and let him attend his training sessions and matches with him and his friends. James felt at home, surrounded by football and people who appreciated him. Wenger taught him the secrets of technical management, talked to him about tactics, strategy, motivation, leadership. James realized that he liked that facet of football, that he had skills and a desire to learn. Wenger encouraged him to get his coaching degree and promised to help him find a team to start with.

James followed Wenger’s advice and enrolled in a coaching course. He studied with dedication and enthusiasm, and passed the exam with flying colors. Wenger kept his promise and got him an interview with Burton Albion, a League One club that was looking for a second coach for their under-18 team. James showed up and made a good impression. They hired him and he started working with the young talents of the club. James enjoyed his new role, transmitting his experience, his knowledge and his passion for football. The boys respected and loved him. James felt useful and happy.

James worked for four years at Burton Albion, doing a good job and earning the trust of the club. His reputation grew and he began to receive offers from other teams that wanted his services. James considered making the leap to a bigger club or a higher category team. But then, he received a call that changed his life.

It was Hampton & Richmond, the club in his neighborhood, the club where he had started playing football. They offered him the position of coach of the first team, which played in the Vanarama National League South, the sixth division of English football. James couldn’t believe it. 

It was the opportunity of his life, to return to his origins, to his home, to his people. He didn’t hesitate for a second and accepted Hampton & Richmond’s offer. He said goodbye to his colleagues at Burton Albion, thanked Wenger for his help and support, and went to Hampton with a suitcase full of illusion.

Hamptom & Richmond

Hampton & Richmond is a semi-professional football club based in Hampton, a suburb of London in the borough of Richmond upon Thames. The club was founded in 1921 as Hampton FC and changed its name to Hampton & Richmond Borough in 1999 to attract more fans from the area. The club plays in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football, and its home ground is the Beveree Stadium, which has a capacity of 3,800. The club’s nickname is the Beavers and its colours are red and blue.

Hampton & Richmond has a long and rich history, having won several titles and cups in various leagues. The club’s most successful period was in the 1960s, when it dominated the Spartan League and won four championships. The club also reached the first round of the FA Cup four times, most recently in 2020-21, when it lost to Oldham Athletic. The club’s current manager is James Smith, a former player who had a brief spell at Arsenal before suffering a career-ending injury. Smith joined Hampton & Richmond in 2023 and led the club to promotion from the Vanarama National League South in his first season. Smith is a local hero and a fan favourite, having started his football career at Hampton & Richmond as a child.

Hampton & Richmond has a loyal and passionate fan base, who support the club through thick and thin. The club’s main rival is Staines Town, with whom it contests the Thames-side Derby. The club also has rivalries with other nearby clubs, such as AFC Wimbledon, Kingstonian and Walton & Hersham. Hampton & Richmond is proud of its community spirit and its role in promoting grassroots football in the borough. The club runs several youth teams and works with local schools and charities to encourage participation and inclusion in the beautiful game. Hampton & Richmond is more than just a football club, it is a family.

Richmond upon Thames

Richmond upon Thames is a borough in southwest London, England, that is part of Outer London and the only one that spans both sides of the River Thames. It was formed in 1965 by merging three smaller areas under the London Government Act 1963. It is governed by the Richmond upon Thames London Borough Council and has a population of about 198,000 people1

Richmond upon Thames has many attractions, parks and open spaces that draw visitors from near and far. Some of the most famous ones are Richmond Park, the largest park in London and home to hundreds of deer; Kew Gardens, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a stunning collection of plants and flowers; Hampton Court Palace, a historic royal residence with beautiful gardens and a maze; and Twickenham Stadium, the largest rugby stadium in the world and the venue for many international matches23

Richmond upon Thames is also known for its cultural and artistic heritage, as it has been the residence of many famous writers, artists, musicians and actors. Some of the notable figures who lived or worked in the borough include William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, Vincent van Gogh, David Attenborough, Mick Jagger and Benedict Cumberbatch. The borough has several museums, theatres, galleries and festivals that celebrate its rich history and diversity.

Richmond upon Thames is a vibrant and diverse community that offers a high quality of life to its residents and visitors. It has a variety of shops, restaurants, pubs and cafes that cater to different tastes and budgets. It has excellent transport links to central London and other parts of the country, as well as to Heathrow Airport and Gatwick Airport. It has a range of schools, colleges and universities that provide education and training opportunities for all ages and levels. It has a strong sense of civic pride and social responsibility, as it supports many local charities and initiatives that aim to improve the environment and the well-being of its people.

Richmond upon Thames is more than just a borough, it is a destination. It is a place where history, nature, culture and community come together to create a unique and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Beveree Stadium

The Beveree Stadium is the home ground of Hampton & Richmond Borough, a semi-professional football club that plays in the National League South, the sixth tier of English football. The stadium is located in Hampton, a suburb of London in the borough of Richmond upon Thames. The stadium has a capacity of 3,800, with 644 seats.

The stadium was opened in 1959 and has a mixture of stands on the west side of the ground. The Main Stand has 234 seats and three large supporting pillars along its front. The stand is flanked by a shallow covered terrace on one side and a small covered seated stand on the other. The school side of the ground is mostly open, with a small cover around the half way line and the team dugouts. The south end of the ground has the Alan Simpson Stand, a small covered seated stand with 100 seats and standing areas on either side. The north end of the ground has the Keith Hussey Stand, a small covered terrace with 20 scaffold poles along the front.

The stadium has a wooded feel to it, with many large trees around its perimeter. It also has a set of eight small floodlight pylons, four of which run down each side of the pitch. The stadium is named after the Beveree, a nearby meadow that was once owned by Hampton Court Palace. The club’s nickname, the Beavers, is derived from the Old English word for beaver, which was used to describe the meadow.

The Beveree Stadium is a small but well-maintained ground that reflects the history and community spirit of Hampton & Richmond Borough. The stadium has hosted many memorable matches and events, such as the club’s four appearances in the first round of the FA Cup and the annual Hampton Beer Festival. The stadium is also used by the club’s youth teams and by local schools and charities. The Beveree Stadium is more than just a football ground, it is a place where fans and players can enjoy the beautiful game.

Historical Players

Dave Tarpey: The striker joined Hampton & Richmond in 2012 from Farnborough and soon became a fan favourite for his goalscoring prowess. He scored 34 goals in his first season, helping the club win promotion to the National League South. He continued his impressive form in the following seasons, scoring 44 goals in 2016-17 and becoming the top scorer in the sixth tier of English football. He also led the club to the play-off final, where they lost to Ebbsfleet United. He left the club in 2017 to join Barnet, having scored 107 goals in 163 appearances for the Beavers. He is the club’s all-time leading scorer and one of the most prolific strikers in non-league football.

Alan Inns: The defender joined Hampton & Richmond in 2014 from Kingstonian and quickly established himself as the leader of the backline. He was a commanding and reliable centre-back, who combined strength, aerial ability and intelligence. He was also a threat from set-pieces, scoring 15 goals in his four seasons at the club. He captained the club to promotion to the National League South in 2016 and to the play-off final in 2017. He left the club in 2018 to join Woking, having made 171 appearances for the Beavers. He is the club’s most decorated captain and one of the best defenders in non-league football.

CHALLENGE IDENTITY

Goals

• Consolidate Hampton & Richmond as a traditional team in England
• Form one of the best Youth Development systems in England
• Lead Hampton & Richmond to win their first title.
• Implement an identity that represents the Discipline and Passion of English football

Policies

• Sign players from England
• Sign players with +12 determination
• Sign French players
• Always have 3 leaders in the locker room who help maintain and promote identity

SEASON PLANNING