The club was owned by Rupert Mannion until his ex-wife, Rebecca Welton, seized ownership of the club after their divorce, which arose from Rupert’s repeated infidelity toward Rebecca, often enabled by the club’s Director of Football, Leslie Higgins.
Club fictional history
A.F.C. Richmond in Ted Lasso is a historic English football club originally created in 1897 in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and played its inaugural match in the same year. Throughout the First World War, their home ground, at the fictional Nelson Road Stadium, was repurposed as a field hospital.
The club has a traditional place in English football, regularly fluctuating between the Premier League and the Championship, competes against actual teams in the premier league. In the fictional universe of the show, Richmond has gained a committed fan base deeply rooted in the local community. [2]
The modern history of the club started with the arrival of the American college football coach, Ted Lasso, who was appointed as manager in the first season of the show when Rebecca sacked the previous manager, George Cartrick. She hires Lasso and Coach Beard as part of a wider scheme to undermine her ex-husband, hoping that they’d underperform and send the club to the ground. But the decision raises eyebrows among supporters and players alike, considering he has absolutely no experience in association football. Trent Crimm, a reporter for The Independent who questions his leadership, as a favor to Rebecca, prevents a photograph from being published. Despite the initial skepticism, his leadership and unconventional coaching methods gradually change the club's culture, placing it at the center of trust, empathy, and personal development among players and staff.[3]
In Season 1, Richmond has a torrid time on the pitch in the series, culminating in a heart-wrenching relegation from the Premier League following a dramatic last-day defeat. The relegation proves to be the changing moment. In their season in the Championship, the team finds their rhythm again, comes together as one under Lasso's guidance, and earns their way back into the top tier.
In Season 3, the rivalry with West Ham United becomes a focal point, especially after Nathan Shelley, the former assistant coach, joins West Ham as their new manager under the ownership of Rupert Mannion, Rebecca's ex-husband. This increases the stakes of the story even more, as AFC Richmond has to fight both on the pitch and in the media spotlight to be taken seriously and not as underdogs.[4]
A significant and emotionally charged match for A.F.C. Richmond in Ted Lasso takes place in Season 2, Episode 8 ("Man City"), during the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester City F.C. Held at the Etihad Stadium, the game results in a heavy 5–0 loss for Richmond, emphasizing the disparity in skill and experience between the two teams.
Although the match ends in a decisive loss, the emotional aftermath prompts an exchange between assistant coach Beard and head coach Ted Lasso, while also triggering personal revelations for several players. Notably, Jamie Tartt confronts his abusive father in a tense locker room encounter, which becomes a catalyst for his personal growth and contributes to a renewed sense of unity within the team.[5]
The match against Manchester City also reinforces the show's exploration of mental health, emotional vulnerability, and the importance of support within a team setting. Ted’s struggle with panic attacks and Jamie’s confrontation with his traumatic past are central to the episode, signaling a tonal shift from the show’s earlier comedic focus to a more emotionally nuanced approach to character development.[6]
Although fictional, the depiction of Manchester City reflects their real-life dominance in English football, reinforcing the authenticity of Ted Lasso’s footballing world. The match further enhances the credibility of A.F.C. Richmond’s underdog narrative as the team continues its journey toward redemption.[7][8]
Notable matches
Several matches in Ted Lasso serve as major narrative turning points for AFC Richmond throughout the series.
AFC Richmond vs Crystal Palace (Season 1, Episode 1): Ted Lasso's first match as manager ends in a defeat, reinforcing early skepticism from fans and players regarding his appointment.
AFC Richmond vs Everton – FA Cup Quarter-final (Season 1, Episode 6): Richmond secures an unexpected victory, with the signing of Dani Rojas providing a significant lift to the team’s morale.
AFC Richmond vs Tottenham Hotspur – FA Cup match at Wembley (Season 2, Episode 2): Richmond wins through a dramatic penalty taken by Dani Rojas, marking his emotional recovery following the earlier death of the team’s mascot, Earl.
AFC Richmond vs Manchester City – FA Cup Semi-final (Season 2, Episode 8): Richmond suffers a heavy defeat, but the match is notable for Jamie Tartt’s confrontation with his father, followed by Roy Kent offering him support.
AFC Richmond vs Brentford (Season 2, Episode 12): Richmond earns promotion back to the Premier League, concluding the season on a high note.
AFC Richmond vs West Ham United (Season 3): Matches against West Ham, managed by former Richmond assistant coach Nate Shelley, form a key rivalry. Richmond loses their first encounter but wins the rematch, contributing to Nate's eventual reconciliation with the club.
AFC Richmond vs Manchester City (Season 3, Episode 11): Richmond defeats Manchester City in a pivotal late-season fixture. The match is significant for Jamie Tartt’s return to his hometown, his continued personal growth, and the club’s resurgence.
AFC Richmond vs West Ham United (Season 3, Episode 12): Richmond wins their final match under Ted Lasso’s management. Although they do not win the league, the victory secures a second-place finish, symbolizing the club’s development during Lasso’s tenure.
A.F.C. Richmond plays its home matches at Nelson Road Stadium, a fictional football ground located in the London Borough Croydon of Richmond .[9] Within the Ted Lasso universe, Nelson Road serves as the club’s historic home and a central setting for many key moments in the series. The stadium is portrayed as a traditional English football ground with a passionate fan base, often seen filled with supporters donning the team’s signature claret and blue colors.[10]
While Nelson Road itself is fictional, the scenes set at the stadium are filmed at Selhurst Park, the real-life home of Crystal Palace F.C.[11][12] in South London. The production team digitally modifies the stadium to match the show’s aesthetic and to represent Richmond’s home venue, blending authentic football atmosphere with the series’ storytelling.[13]
Nelson Road is depicted as a classic English ground with close-up seating, raucous fan support, and a strong sense of community. The stadium becomes a symbol of Richmond’s identity, hosting everything from decisive matches to emotional character arcs, including Ted’s speeches, Jamie Tartt’s return, and Roy Kent’s final games as a player.[14][15]
Kit and sponsorship
Home kit used in first and second seasons of Ted Lasso.
In the third season of Ted Lasso, A.F.C. Richmond is portrayed as entering a kit sponsorship agreement with the sportswear company Nike.[16][17] This partnership coincides with the team's return to the Premier League within the show's storyline and includes updated uniforms incorporating Nike’s branding. The fictional deal represents a transition from previously unbranded kits to those associated with a well-known manufacturer, symbolizing the club’s increased prominence in the series’ narrative and its expanding presence among the show's fan base.[18][19]
Nike also released official A.F.C. Richmond merchandise, including replica home and away kits, which became available for purchase through select retailers and Apple’s online store. This real-world tie-in has contributed to the show's immersive fan experience, blurring the line between fiction and reality for supporters of the series.[20][21]
Director of Communications at AFC Richmond and assistant to Rebecca Welton.
Fictional players
Notable players
As depicted in the television series Ted Lasso, the following fictional players are part of A.F.C. Richmond's roster:
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
A.F.C. Richmond, though fictional, has developed a real-world following thanks to the popularity of Ted Lasso. Merchandise, including kits and scarves, have been released under official license.[22][12]
In 2023, AFC Richmond was included as a playable team in FIFA 23,[23] the video game by EA Sports,[24] marking one of the few times a fictional club was featured in the franchise.[25][26][27]
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