Who should Hampton and Richmond sign during the summer?

It has not been the summer Hampton and Richmond would have envisaged so far.

The Beavers have had to make do with the loss of some key players, with Luis Fernandez, Isaac Pitbaldo, Adam Desbois, Sam Deadfield and Ruaridh Donaldson all leaving the club.

As such, new manager Alan Julian has his work cut out to be able to build a side capable of building on a near play-off push this season, or at the very least ensure they are competitive in the next.

I take a look at some players who I think they should consider signing during the summer.

Zaki Oualah (Chesham United)

After losing Adam Desbois to Eastbourne Borough, Alan Julian needs to bring in a new number one. One option that I think they could look at this summer is former Chesham United goalkeeper Zaki Oualah.

Oualah sighted that he wanted to move on this summer to find a fresh, new challenge after being promoted with Chesham United in 2023-24, and so a spot as number one goalkeeper for a side that will harbour play-off hopes and under a top goalkeeper himself in Alan Julian could well be the sort of exciting project that he wants to go into; especially with the benefit of the minutes he wants as a number one.

The goalkeeper signed for Chesham United from Weymouth and so he has a knowledge of the division, and I am more than confident he would be able to make the step up to the sixth tier. At 29 years of age, he now needs to settle down somewhere and find a permanent home, and so The Beavers could be the ideal option for him. He has good pedigree having been on the books with AFC Wimbledon in the EFL, is a fantastic athlete, out-performs what his size may dictate and can play out from the back. He’d be a useful pickup for Hampton and Richmond.

Toby Syme (Hitchin Town)

The Beavers’ backline needs some work, and so they must add smartly this summer. One player who has impressed me in parts at a lower level and – if integrated correctly – could well prove a handy option for the level is Hitchin Town defender Toby Syme.

Syme is formerly of Norwich City, and is an energetic, attack-minded, full-back that can play on either side and also in midfield. He is the first of a list of players in this piece that are competent in handling the ball, with an ability to play and someone who is tricky, dynamic and agile.

The youngster is under contract with Hitchin Town for the 2024-25, but I don’t think that should stop The Beavers from making a move for the young defender with transfer fees for Luis Fernandez perhaps well-re-invested in Syme; especially, given Hitchin Town were relegated in 2023-24, the offer of playing Step 2 football is one that he would be interested in.

Billy Bates (Cheshunt)

After the loss of Luis Fernandez, The Beavers have some work to do in being able to rebuild their central options at the back. One player who has proven himself to be a talented prospect – whilst doing so fairly locally – is Cheshunt youngster Billy Bates.

Bates is on the books with Cheshunt, yet started out with good pedigree in the academy with West Ham United; undeniably, the raw tools and ability is there. Bates only signed for Cheshunt in January of this year, and is a player that has a close connection for the club as a fan and so prizing him away from Cheshunt could well be difficult; the lure of playing Step 2 football with The Beavers could well be just the attraction.

The young defender has a strong mentality and commitment that has come from having to battle back from serious injury problems in the past. He is a committed, tough-tackling, aggressive defender that just loves to defend. He has been tried out in midfield under Cheshunt boss Craig Edwards and so he is another with an ability to play, but first and foremost gives them and out-and-out defender with steely drive and one that I think can more than handle the step up.

Sam Bone (Maidstone United)

While I am an advocate for Hampton and Richmond opting for a younger type of player this summer and signing hungry players from the leagues below, I still think there is value in adding some experience and so one player that I’d consider adding is former Maidstone United defender Sam Bone.

Bone’s exit from Maidstone United did come as a bit of a surprise, with his release prompting talk of interest from elsewhere. He comes off the back of a strong individual campaign in helping The Stones finish in the play-offs and also with an FA Cup run, too, and so he offers The Beavers with recency of knowing how to be part of winning environments. Adding characters of that ilk is vital.

The defender has had a good football upbringing with spells out in Malaysia, time in Ireland with Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk, and has come through a strong academy at Charlton Athletic that has a track record of producing top players. He provides The Beavers with a progressive player on the ball and someone capable of passing out from the back. He is a versatile player that has played all across the back four, with his versatility key given the scale of Hampton’s defensive rebuild; just the sort of player Hampton and Richmond need leading their rebuild.

George Wells (Hanworth Villa)

The final defender that I think The Beavers should look at – especially after the exit of Ruaridh Donaldson to Chelmsford City – is left-back George Wells. On the books of local side Hanworth Villa, I think that he is more than able of adjusting to Step 2.

Wells has played at a higher level before than what he is currently, doing so with Slough Town in the National League South and in the National League with Maidenhead United. I’d be intrigued to know why he has made the move to the level he has, but I am more than confident that there is a player there who could still do a job for The Beavers.

He is a cultured left-back with a lovely left-foot, a constant threat down the flank with his attacking, front-foot style and ability to get forward and put crosses into the box, provide an outlet out wide, and the odd goal, too. He is comfortable with the ball, a diligent defender, a good leader and is the sort of steady customer that new-found defensive foundations could be built for The Beavers.

Brad Stevenson (Billericay Town)

With Alan Julian having links to Billericay Town, I think that one signing they can go for this summer is Brad Stevenson. Coming off the back of a strong individual campaign, Stevenson is ready for the step up and so signing for The Beavers could be a good fit.

Stevenson has consistently been one of the better performers at the level with Billericay Town as a technically proficient, goal-scoring midfielder that can both score and create. He ended the campaign with a total of 46 goal involvements with Billericay Town, and was by far and away the standout midfielder in the division last season in my opinion; signing better players from the league below and identifying those can step up is the profile that The Beavers should be look to add.

Formerly of Gillingham, Stevenson is a good athlete that can get about the pitch. Strong off both feet, intelligent, a good range of passing, creative and technical in the final third; I think that he has proven in the last two years that he is playing below the level he should be and I’d be going all out to sign the midfielder this summer.

Kwaku Frimpong (Carshalton Athletic)

One player that I have been impressed over the course of the last season and who I feel would make for the ideal investment in making the step up to Step 2 with Hampton and Richmond is Carshalton Athletic midfielder Kwaku Frimpong.

Frimpong is the second player on this list that is formerly of AFC Wimbledon, to whom The Beavers have looked before when signing players. He has one out and proved himself in non-league and comes off the back of a strong campaign with Carshalton Athletic at the level below where Hampton and Richmond are plying their trade.

In terms of what type of player he is stylistically, Frimpong is a powerful and high-energy, box-to-box midfielder that is aggressive in the tackle, is your stereotypical enforcer with a tendency to get stuck in, a fabulous athlete, a capable runner, proficient at progressing the ball from deep and in recent months at Carshalton Athletic has been able to strengthen the attacking side of his game with good late runs and box-crashing ability. He perhaps needs the odd pointer tactically and on how best to harness his ability, but a player like him is such an exciting profile and I think he’d be worth bringing in.

Sam Evans (Hanwell Town)

The final player on this list is a striker who has been making great strides at local outfit Hanwell Town; youngster Sam Evans. Tipped as one of the best non-league prospects currently, I think that stepping up to the sixth tier with Hampton and Richmond would be a good move.

Evans is a player that I have spoken about before on the blog. His size and stature may suggest simply a target man, but he is more than that. He is a mobile player that can make moves in behind, can drop short, can link the play and capable with the ball at his feet; he is far more than simply being a reference point in the box to get on the end of crosses. For a Hanwell Town side that has struggled in the league, Evans has excelled with an output of 15 goals last term; in a better side with better chance creation, I think he could excel.

The forward has already been capped internationally at youth level for Wales and certainly has all of the attributes you’d look for in a striker to lead the line; 6ft4in, imposing, a good frame, an athletic leap, holds the ball up well and is strong aerially. He used to play in the academy system at Woking and did well at Bedfont Sports with 16 goals in 35 appearances prior to his move to Hanwell Town. He is a prospect – I feel – that is worth taking a chance on.