On August 8th 2026 the Beavers will travel to Raymond McEnhill Stadium to get our 26/27 campaign underway.
After a preseason that started just over six weeks ago. After thirteen new signings, and six players coming back from last season. After finishing last season with some of our best performances of the campaign, and in front of some of the best home attendances in recent years, your Hampton & Richmond Borough are ready to do it all over again for the 2026/27 season, and it starts much like last season, against Salisbury.
Manager Alan Dowson will be keen to continue the momentum of the final months of last season to improve upon our 18th-placed finish.
We could not be separated from Saturday’s opponents in two matches last season, drawing 0-0 on opening day last year at the Bev and then 1-1 away from home in January, with Reece Grego-Cox nabbing one of his club-leading 11 goals.
This also goes for the league table, as both sides ended the season on 53 points, with The Whites ending up in 17th due to having a better goal difference by one.
On the pitch there will be plenty of familiar faces lining up for Salisbury who have undergone a transition in the summer period much like our own.
A key figure will be former Beaver Dom Revan, who picked up their Player’s Player of the Season last year after 43 league appearances between right and centre back.
He will be joined at the back by former Beaver Harry Thomas, who turned out 23 times for us last season, including both fixtures against Salisbury.
There will also be a familiar face in goal as former Beaver Will Henry joined the side after over 220 appearances for their Wiltshire rivals Chippenham Town.
At the other end of the pitch the dangermen are Josh Hedges, a local lad who netted seven league goals last season and can play anywhere across the front three, as well as new signing Nathan Odokonyero who also netted seven goals last season for the Whites, finishing with three goals in three games.
In our four visits to the Ray Mac since 2011, it has been a mixed bag with one win, one draw and two losses. Let's hope the lads can even the head to head with a win on opening day!
Up The Beavers!
By Jack Lonergan