BEAVERS IN SAFE HANDS WITH AL!

Stalwart Julian's a keeper as boss

- John Lyons

ALAN Julian says he would have always regretted it if he hadn't taken the Hampton & Richmond Borough manager's job-and has promised to do things his way.

The 41-year-old announced in March that he would be retiring at the end of the season after more than two decades between the posts for a host of clubs in the Football League and Non-League.

A back injury was the reason the Hampton keeper, who joined in 2020, was forced to call it a day, though he did stay with the Beavers as goalkeeping coach.

However, boss Mel Gwinnett's departure at the end of a season in which they finished ninth in National League South, one point off the playoffs, paved the way for Julian to go for the top job - and he didn't hesitate.

"It's a club I love, I've been here a long time, I live ten minutes away and I knew I would regret it if I didn't go for it," he told The NLP.

"Quite a lot of people over the years have said 'Jules, you will be a good manager when you retire'. I used to laugh it off, but I thought 'why not give it a go?".