By Louis Fell
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 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.
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