Hampton & Richmond Borough have appointed Richard Thomas as First Team Manager.
Alan Dowson left the role by mutual consent on 12 October. Max Kretzschmar and Craig Saunders were named interim managers and took charge for their first league game on 24 October. Chairman Ben Hudson thanked Lennie Lawrence for stepping in during the interim period.
Thomas has Championship experience, most recently at Luton Town. Across a 16-year career he has been assistant manager in Leagues One and Two for Matt Bloomfield and Kevin Nolan at Wycombe Wanderers, Colchester United and Notts County, respectively. In 2021 he was assistant manager to Gemma Grainger for the Wales women's national team.
The club have not won in five league games since Dowson left. They lost 4-3 at home to Truro City on 24 October, drew 2-2 away to Billericay Town on 27 October, lost 1-0 away to Braintree Town on 31 October, lost 3-2 away to Dorking Wanderers on 3 November and drew 1-1 at home to Maidenhead United on 7 November.
Thomas said: "I'm feeling very excited and am looking forward to it. I'm really excited to get back out on the grass and see what we can achieve here because it looks like an unbelievable opportunity."
Hudson said: "Richard was hugely impressive throughout the interview process and was the unanimous choice of the board, the owners, and our football leadership. His knowledge of the game, attention to detail, enthusiasm, and clear vision for how he wants his teams to play really stood out."