Mel Gwinnett was appointed as the Beavers First Team Manager and Head of Football Operations back in January 2023. His role sees him take charge of first team responsibilities, but as Head of Football Operations, Gwinnett is also involved in the design, development and embedding of the side’s operating model. Prior to arriving at the Beveree Stadium in January, Gwinnett had enjoyed a stint at Barnet as First Team Head Coach. Upon his departure to take the helm at Hampton, the former goalkeeper was praised by the Bees for having played a pivotal role in the impressive form of goalkeeper Laurie Walker, as well as playing an integral part in analysing, match preparation and player development. As a player, the now 60-year-old, played as a goalkeeper with his clubs including the likes of Peterborough United, Hereford United, Gloucester City, Bradford City, Exeter City, Colchester United, Preston North End, Yeovil Town, and Weymouth. Upon retiring from his playing career, Gwinnett returned to Exeter City, initially as Youth Football Director and then became Goalkeeper Coach prior to a spell as First Team Coach. He worked alongside Paul Tisdale at MK Dons, Bristol Rovers and Stevenage, before moving on to Barnet. How have they been doing? Since United’s 3-1 defeat at the Beveree Stadium back at the end of October, Hampton remained undefeated for their next ten league games, which included six wins and four draws before a 3-1 defeat at Braintree Town at the start of 2024 ended this run. Two more defeats at home to Chelmsford (0-1) and then away at Welling (2-1) followed, but the ten games after the defeat to the Wings has brought only one defeat (Aveley 0-1), and yielded six wins. Last time out the Beavers drew 1-1 at home to an improving Welling United on Tuesday night, meaning they come into todays game in 4th position with a record of 19 wins, ten draws and nine defeats with 67 points from their 38 games played. Player to Watch 
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