Dowson: 'Where Did The Time Go?`

Back in 2014, Hampton had just come off a humiliating 3-2 defeat to VCD Athletic in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup and the then management team of Paul Barry and Darren Powell had decided they'd taken the team as far as they could and resigned.

Chairman Steve McPherson immediately chose to appoint Dowson and the decision was announced the following day.

Today, Dowson reaches three years in the Beavers hot-seat, and he's the first to admit, it`s been a great time: "Has it really been that long?

"That first season, it was tough but since then, its` been brilliant.

"We've had cup wins and promotions and it`s been great, but with the chairman and Board being ambitious, we know we haven't finished the job yet!

"Everyone around the club wants success, from the board downwards to the fans and they've shared in that completely so far. We want to go as far as we possibly can.

"Of all the memories of those three years, the one I'll remember forever was not the players lifting the promotion trophy, although that's a big one; its the big smile on Alan Simpson's face when he saw the lads with that trophy. I'll remember that a long time."

This weekend sees the Beavers go into the Emirates FA Cup, taking on Potters Bar Town in the Second Qualifying Round, and it`s a competition Dowson has never done that well in, he admits: "I've always wanted a good Cup run at the club. Hopefully we can put a run together this time and get to the First Round proper, that really would be great".

Rob Overfield