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Steve Richardson is returning to the Camrose for his benefit match

BASINGSTOKE Town legend Steve Richardson says he is looking forward to returning to the Camrose for his testimonial next month.

Richardson left the club following Frank Gray's appointment as manager, having spent 13 years at Town as a player and coach.

To thank him for his efforts over the years, the board of directors announced their intention to give him a testimonial when he left, and a date has now been set for this.

The match will take place at the Camrose on Saturday, July 26 (kick-off 3pm), when a side from Reading, for whom Richardson also played, will take on Basingstoke.

It had initially been hoped that the testimonial might involve the Reading first team, but this has not proved possible as the Berkshire club have prior commitments in Sweden.

Despite this, Richardson is looking forward to the afternoon.

"It should be a good day and I am hoping for a good turnout," he said. "Whatever side they put out, I am really happy that Reading are involved, but it would be great if they brought one or two first-team players.

"It is very kind of the club to grant me this, but I do not think I will play myself. I have not played a great deal in a long time and would probably end up injuring myself."

Richardson joined the club as a player in 1995 and became first-team coach under Ernie Howe.

He was promoted to assistant manager when Francis Vines took over the reigns and had a spell as caretaker-manager following Vines' departure earlier this year, guiding the club to victory in the Hampshire Senior Cup.

He left the club at the end of the season to resume his partnership with Vines at Farnborough.

Club president and chairman Rafi Razzak said: "I am very grateful to Steve for the dedication, loyalty and professionalism he has brought to the club.

"It is going to be strange without him being around. We are having this testimonial as a way of saying thank you for all his years of service to the club."

Representatives from the club had what was described as an "excellent meeting" with the Football Association about partially redeveloping the Camrose.

Plans are in the early stages, but the club is hoping to secure a grant to help fund improvements to the football courts at the ground.

Matt Warner has put pen to paper on a new one-year deal at the Camrose. The winger agreed terms a couple of weeks ago and signed a contract last week, on returning from holiday.

The club has appointed a new youth team manager. Mark Hughes, who is based at Queen Mary's College, will manage the youth team next season, replacing Steve Allison.

Town will travel to Wessex League premier division outfit Hamble ASSC for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday, July 29 (kickoff 7.45pm).

9:55am Saturday 28th June 2008

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