Dowson shakes on return to Ryman

Former Kingstonian manager Alan Dowson was unveiled as the new manager of Hampton & Richmond Borough on Sunday.

In a statement announcing Dowson’s return to the Ryman League as the successor to former joint managers Paul Barry and Darren Powell, officials hailed his appointment as the start of a new era for the Beavers.

Barry and Powell stood down within hours of the club’s 3-2 FA Cup defeat at VCD Athletic in the First Qualifying Round after telling chairman Steve McPherson that they believed they'd taken the club as far as they could since first taking over on a permanent basis in April 2013 as the successors to Mark Harper.

The 44-year-old Geordie and former Walton & Hersham manager spent seven years as manager of Kingstonian before resigning at the end of last season after the club just failed to win promotion. and the Beavers say they are thrilled that a manager of ‘real pedigree with fantastic contacts within football’ had accepted their offer.

Chairman Steve McPherson told the club’s website that he’d been instantly sold on the former Millwall and Darlington defender who also lives locally.

Pictured welcoming Dowson to the Beveree Stadium on Sunday, McPherson said: "I am delighted to present Alan as our new manager, a man held is high esteem throughout Non-League football.
"We sat down for coffee and I instantly recommended him to the board. We completed the formalities at the club and we can't wait for the start of our new era.

"He asked to meet - I was taken aback by his enthusiasm to be involved and take our club forward. His passion is infectious. He lives two minutes from the Beveree so perhaps it is meant to be?

"It was all very quick and I believe we have the right man at the helm. I am absolutely sure that, given time, Dowse will bring exciting times to Hampton & Richmond. I hope the fans and players back him the whole way."

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