THE AWAY END - Berkhamsted

BERKHAMSTED

Nickname: The Comrades
Manager: Chris Devane
Stadium: Broadwater
Capacity: 2,500

This afternoon we welcome Berkhamsted, who are adjusting well to life at Step 3 following promotion from the Southern League Division One Central last season. The Comrades swept through the play-offs in style, beating Hadley 5–0 in the semi-final before repeating the scoreline against Flackwell Heath in the final to secure their place in the Premier Division South.

Berkhamsted’s story is a relatively recent one. Founded in 2009 after the demise of Berkhamsted Town, the club climbed rapidly through the divisions. Back-to-back titles in the Spartan South Midlands League propelled them to Step 5, and by 2017–18 they had reached the Southern League.

Promotion followed again in 2022–23, although their first stint at Step 3 ended with relegation a year later. They bounced straight back, however, and under the guidance of Chris Devane they are once more competing in the third tier of non-league football.

Their early season form has been steady, if a little inconsistent. The Comrades have three league wins to their name – all by a 1–0 scoreline against Bracknell Town, Chertsey Town, and Dorchester Town. A draw with Hanwell Town has been offset by defeats to Gosport Borough, Wimborne Town, and most recently Uxbridge on Tuesday night.

They currently sit in mid-table with 10 points from seven games. Goals have been hard to come by, with just eight scored in eight outings so far, three of which have come from top marksman Jonathan Lacey.

In the FA Cup, Devane’s side booked their place in today’s tie courtesy of a 2–0 victory over St Ives Town two weeks ago, with Adam Watkins and Michael Harding on target.

This is the first competitive meeting between Billericay and the newly formed Berkhamsted FC, though the Blues had many memorable clashes with the old Berkhamsted Town. Most notable was a 2–0 win for the Comrades in May 1997 that denied us promotion, though revenge came quickly with a 5–1 victory the following August en route to our own promotion, before a 1–1 draw at New Lodge later that season brought the rivalry to a close.

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