TT INTERVIEW

Thom talks about the Beavers

ABOUT ME

Hampton was my first ever taste of nonleague, in March 2017, when I went to watch a 1-1 draw with Ebbsfleet. I was working overseas at the time, and not able to get involved with any clubs, but I kept in touch with a few people, particularly Programme Editor Chris Hurst, and when I was permanently back in the UK in the spring of 2020 I joined as the Club Photographer. Now into my fourth season with the club, and absolutely loving it.

FORM

Good! We had a tough start to the season with seven consecutive away matches, meaning it took a while for our season to really kick off, but it feels like a chastening loss to Lewes in the FA Cup forced a bit of introspection, and we’ve just won four on the bounce – something I’ve never seen before with the Beavers!

HIGHLIGHTS

Unfortunately I missed the 4-1 win over Worthing in midweek, so I’ll say the 2-1 win away to Truro early in the season, as well as our 1-0 victory away at Taunton. Both big victories on the road, and really important for us. I’ve also really, really enjoyed seeing the attendances grow at the Bev. Over a thousand for both home Saturday matches, and well over 800 for the Tuesdays is a huge improvement on previous years. According to the ever excellent Turnstile League on thelinnets.co.uk, our average home attendance is up 64% on last season.

KEY PLAYERS

Our two centre backs are both ever present so far this season, Dean Inman and Luis Fernandez, and both have been excellent particularly of late. Inman recently made his 250^th appearance for the club. In midfield, captain Jake Gray leads by example, whilst Ben Seymour up front has been really hitting his stride recently, with a brace in midweek against Worthing bringing him up to five so far.

THE MANAGER

This is Mel Gwinnett’s first managerial role, having previously been involved with Academy and first team roles at the likes of Exeter, MK Dons and Barnet. He’s a very thoughtful manager, really keen on analysis and his relationship with the players is excellent. He’s demanding, but not critical, and I think he’s struck up a good rapport with supporters. In terms of playing style – he wants to play mobile, attacking football from a solid base, and he hates things like time wasting and ‘gamesmanship’.

THE LINE-UP

Adam Desbois in goal, with a back four of Jordan Thomas, Dean Inman, Luis Fernandez and Dan Wishart. Then a midfield three of Sam Deadfield, Jake Gray and either George Hunt or Shane Dunne. Then a front three of Ben Seymour plus two – against Torquay, I reckon we’ll see Ruaridh Donaldson and Mason Bloomfield up there with him.

PRE-MATCH REFRESHMENTS

Honestly, I’d say get to the Bev. There’s really good food from either the Village Grill or the pizza shop, and something like four different bars to choose from. If you don’t want to go straight to the ground, then the World’s End or Railway Bell between the station and the stadium are usually good bets.

FACTS ABOUT THE BEAVERS

We’re the only senior football club in the London Borough of Richmond-upon-Thames, and half of all our FA Cup 1^st Round ties in the club’s history have been against Oldham Athletic. We’ve also only got a very recent history against Torquay, having never played them before August Bank Holiday 2018. Our club nickname “Beavers” was voted the worst nickname in English football in a poll by FourFourTwo in the 90s… and our former club president Alan Simpson held the role for over 50+ years, and now has a stand named after him. His good mate Paul Merton still sometimes attends matches, as does England rugby legend Phil Vickery.

BEST OPPOSITION

For me it’s got to be Yeovil. They were really impressive and in my opinion deserved more than their 2-1 win, with Jordan Young seriously good. He scored an absolute corker as well. I was also really impressed by Aveley who deserved their big win against us – Eduino Vaz at left back for them was fantastic.