Berkhamsted

Berkhamsted FC is a non-league club from the pretty historic Hertfordshire town located approximately twenty five miles north west of London, and were formed in 2009 following the demise of Berkhamstead Town FC.

Town had a history going back to 1919 when they formed by servicemen as Berkhamsted Comrades FC. They fielded two sides in Herts leagues before joining the Spartan League and changing their name to Berkhamsted Town in 1922.

In 1951 Town became founder members of the Delphian League and the club won some local cups up until 1963 when they joined the Athenian League. Financial constraints led to Town dropping back down to the Spartan League in 1966 where they remained for several years.

The summer of 1975 saw the formation of the London Spartan League, with Berkhamsted becoming founder members, becoming league champion in 1979-80. In 1983 the club moved from their original home on Lower Kings Road to a new Broadwater venue.

Following a single season back in the Athenian League, Town progressed to the Isthmian League the following season. The 1992-93 season saw promotion from Division Two; where they remained until being relegated in 1998-99.

In 2000-01 Town went on a tremendous run in the FA Vase, seeing off the likes of Hornchurch, St Helens Town, Brigg Town and then Bedlington Terriers in the semi-final to reach the final at Villa Park against Taunton Town.

The crest of Berkhamsted Town

Berkhamsted lost 2-1 despite a Paul Lowe penalty. The home leg of the semi-final produced a record gate of 1,542 cram into Broadwater. Non-league football was re-organised in 2004 and Town were placed in the Southern League Eastern Division, moving to the Midland Division after a couple of years. 

Finances were once again hitting hard at this time which helped lead to the team finishing bottom of the division in 2007-08 and relegation. Just a year later the club were no more as the debts proved too severe to resolve part way through the 2008-09 season.

A downloaded image of the old Main Stand at Broadwater

Long term supporter Ben Terry pushed for a new club to be formed. They were nicknamed 'The Comrades' as a nice touch from the past and club colours changed from white and black to yellow and blue.

Berkhamsted were accepted into the Spartan South Midlands League Division Two an they went on to lift the title at their first attempt under the management of Mick Vipond. The following season they went on to lift the Division One title in 2009-10.

The run continued as Berko became Division One campions in 2010-11. FA Vase finalist manager Steve Bateman returned to replace Vipond in 2017. In his first season back at the helm the team ended as Spartan South Midlands League runners-up.

This led to promotion back to the Southern League; where the club were placed in Division One Central as Lee Bircham teamed up with Bateman to become joint-manager. The Comrades ended the 2018-19 season in sixth position.

Berkhamsted were top of the Division One Central table when the COVID-19 pandemic halted the 2019-20 season with the FA decreeing that the campaign would be null and void with no promotion or relegation. Chris Devane replaced the management pair in May 2020 leading the side to the Division One Central playoffs in 2021-22 where they lost their semifinal to North Leigh. 

However, Berko recovered to list the title in 2022-23 as well as lifting the League Cup to complete the double. A dispute over playing budgets led to Devane departing in May 2023 to be replaced by Steve Heath. Devane returned as manager in January 2023, but couldn’t do anything about the league position which ended in relegation. 

Berkhamsted FC will compete in the Southern League Division One Central in the 2024-25 season.

My visits

Berkhamsted 1 Beaconsfield SYCOB 0 (Tuesday 2nd August 2011) Pre-Season Friendly (att: approx 45)

It was decision time for me on where to go after an early shift at work. There were many clubs staging matches within reach, but I'd already visited many of them although not all to see a match. The train times stood out for Berkhamsted. I had rattled past many times at high speed on a train going north but had never stopped off. My mind was made up.

I took a tube from Kenton to Harrow and Wealdstone and then a London Overground train on to Watford Junction. This wasn't in my plan and I was confused as I missed my intended train on to Berko as the locals call their town. I was still there before 6pm giving time for a wander.

I didn't bother visiting the ruined castle which had been home to monarch's and was the capital of the country in 1066. It looked pretty but basic. Instead I walked along the towpath of the Grand Junction Canal into the Port of Berkhamsted and more importantly into The Boat for a fine pint of London Pride.

Having done my homework in advance I knew the High Road had several pubs including The Crown, a Wetherspoon's where I planned on eating. Sadly the service was slow and everyone was ordering food so I gave it a miss. The town centre was extremely pleasant and not unlike Harpenden. I sauntered along the canal before going into the clubhouse at the ground.

Top marks to whoever runs the club. They had no draught bitter, but a fine selection of four or five classic beers in bottles. Brakspear did the trick for me as I sat outside with some local fans who gave me the lowdown on the club. They were pleased that a neutral chose their game. 

The general organisation obviously impressed some of the visiting players when they saw the large board advertising the game. I went inside Broadwater and was immediately impressed. The pleasant man on the gate charged me £4 including a four page programme, which is something clubs could do well to learn from for friendly games. 

He asked what a Scarborough Athletic fan was doing at the match and we had a chat. He was keen to talk about our cricket ground more than the football! His good lady was behind the counter of the refreshments kiosk. She apologised that there was no hot food; which was bad news for me as I was banking on it. I had a ham roll and a Bovril instead at good value.

The ground had a Main Stand of three rows of seats across the half way line. Open flat standing were at either side, as well as a small raised terrace in front of the clubhouse. The rest of the ground was flat open standing of grass and concrete with small pillared covers behind each goal with a couple of steps of terracing. 

The far side was very narrow, with the brick perimeter wall being built so there were places for people to get past spectators, a bit like a railway tunnel. Trees formed an extra barrier behind the Canal End and Railway End goals. I was amazed there were no high net fences around the ground, given it being so small and the smart housing a few yards away down the side.

The visitors came out in an unusual kit consisting of red and white quarters, black shorts and sky blue socks. SYCOB (Slough Youth Centre Old Boys) were in a division above The Comrades but you couldn't tell. Both sides played high tempo football in very humid conditions. 

The game was tight but lacking any real goal mouth action as the sides went in scoreless. The play was often broken up as numerous balls were kicked out of the ground, meaning constant work for the home officials in retrievals.

The second half followed suit before an incident kicked off which changed the game. A SYCOB midfielder was fouled by a home centre back and he took exception to the challenge. 

The free kick was cleared but the two players squared up while a thirty yard shot floated into the top corner of the home net. The visiting player totally lost it and was dragged away by teammates. 

The referee used great common sense by asking both managers to replace the players. It has to be said that the SYCOB manager hardly helped with his verbals towards the Berko players, whereas The Comrades boss remained calm and simply pointed out that both players would miss football if the incident escalated.

Tensions were high afterwards with a couple of stupid challenges going in. It was hard to believe this was a 'friendly' game! I gave it another fifteen minutes before heading towards the station. I was hit with an unmistakable smell as I got round the corner. 

A fish and chip shop was open! While I'm not normally an advocate of buying fish in the south owing to the poor batter quality, I was very hungry so I took a punt. It was not bad at all. I stood on the platform hearing the refs whistle and shouting from the ground just down the far embankment before taking my train back to Watford. 

I eventually got to Kenton a lot later than scheduled but I couldn't work out why until the penny dropped. I should have boarded and alighted from the Berko train at Harrow and Wealdstone. I eventually got home at 11pm vowing to learn from the error when travelling and not to hang around Kenton station for a bus at night. The company was awful.

All in all I enjoyed Berkhamsted. It was a nice town and a well run football club at a small picturesque ground. It was just a shame a couple of the players let the evening down.

Berkhamsted 2 Hendon 3 (Tuesday 6^th August 2019) Pre-Season Friendly (att: c50)

It was both sides last pre-season warm up before competitive action commenced. I’d been struggling with a painful knee but needed some fresh air and exercise. The trip to Broadwater would combine convenient public transport and a little walk.

The weather had been most pleasant but started to pour down as I alighted at Berkhamsted station following a bus, tube and train ride. After sheltering for a few minutes, I bit the bullet and headed to meet fellow fan John Rogers.

John had suggested the Berkhamsted Brewery Shop; a tap house of the Red Squirrel Brewery. This was good with me, as I’d enjoyed using the sister shop in Chesham on occasions. The ale was steady enough without being an extensive selection.

We headed to the clubhouse; with my pal being on duty for social media updates. Some regular faces joined us as we sampled ale from bottles in the bar. Before we knew it, it was time to go into the ground. No programmes were issued for the match.

The catching up continued as I took up a position behind the goal that Hendon attacked in the first period. Former Don Lewis Toomey started for the hosts but soon had to be replaced through injury. The visitors fielded a strong starting line up.

Included were several players on trial. Among whom were keeper Max Huxter who put in a good performance throughout. Arash Abdollahi who starred for Hendon’s under 23 side the previous season was impressive with his play and enthusiasm.

The Dons had the better of the attacking play without finding a cutting pass, until Kameron English fed on a through ball and finished well on the half volley past home keeper Xavi Comas. His link up play with Connor Calcutt showed signs of promise.

It would be Calcutt who provided the second goal when he headed a deep cross back across goal for Dan Williams to score from close range. It was back to the bar at the break. The general consensus was that Hendon looked a far better outfit than the previous season.

Several changes were made by either side as the game went into the second half. The Greens continued to look going forward; if perhaps a little less lacking in wanting to chase back and do he unseen unglamorous, but essential hard work.

Perhaps it is an age thing, but I was becoming more a fan of the hard workers than those wanting to impress with pretty flicks and cutting their socks so that they could be pulled over their knees to match those millionaire footballers on TV.

Luca Valentine, another looking to impress Jimmy Gray and his management team made it 3-0. Players began to pour forward looking for their moment of glory, but football is far more than that.

Too many simply did not want to graft. As I commented at the time, it was like watching an edition of “Hendon’s Got Talent.”

Berko grabbed a goal back when Kingsley Eshun latched onto a Danny Murphy pass to score. Jonathan Lacey was one of those to profit from Hendon’s lack of defensive responsibilities as he caused problems before setting up an unmarked Rafique Lawrence to score.

There were still opportunities on the break for Hendon, but the Comrades looked the more likely to grab an equaliser. Thankfully the game was a friendly and would allow the visiting sides management chance to reflect.

It had been decent enough entertainment. We retired to the bar. I had chance to have a chat with manager Gray. My thoughts were that Hendon at full strength would be fine but needed for the strike partners to play a little closer to each other.

Time would tell! The trains ran well, and I was home in less than an hour.

Berkhamstead 1 Halesowen Town 0 (Tuesday 3^rd March 2020) Southern League Division One Central (att: 211)

On early shifts at work I was in a lethargic mood regarding the effort required to go to a match. The weather was cold, and I’d turned up at two Hendon games the previous week only for them to be called off close to kick off.

My regular non-league mate Tony Foster was in contact by text. He was reluctant to travel far as he was also nervous about a wasted journey. We kept in touch and agreed that a trip to Berko fitted the bill.

I’m glad he talked me round. It turned into an excellent evening. It was good to have a chat aside from anything else. He picked me up at Stanmore, with the journey being far quicker than anticipated. We arrived into the town around 7pm.

Tony put his car in the public car park behind the ground next to the canal, which was close to coming over the top. I grabbed our programmes from the turnstile, which cost £1.50 before we entered the thriving clubhouse.

A bottle of Banks bitter did the job for me as a lady home official went around offering free teamsheets; which I thought was a nice touch, as the programme was for a previously postponed game.

Admission was a most reasonable £8. We headed over to the far narrow side. A good crowd had decided to come along, including a sizeable away support to see table toppers Halesowen take on the second placed hosts.

The visiting Yeltz had knocked National League Barnet out of the FA Trophy after extra time at The Hive a few days earlier, so it was obvious that they would offer a stern test to Berko. We were treated to an excellent contest, which was expertly refereed by Farai Hallam.

Tackles flew in during a high paced game. There was no moaning from the players. They picked themselves up and got on with it. Lewis Toomey forced Yeltz keeper Bradley Catlow to touch an effort over the bar before home centre back Ryan Kinnane headed over.

Jack Holmes, on loan from Burton Albion was behind Halesowen’s best moments as the teams went in after a scoreless first half. Chances were at a premium before Lewis Toomey sent Jonathan Lacey through with a low ball that was placed past the advancing Catlow, as the gaggle of youths behind the goal celebrated wildly.

The game went from end to end. Berko were more direct and Lacey had another couple of opportunities when he latched on to through balls. Halesowen were more deliberate in their build up play but couldn’t find a way past the resolute defence who had the commanding Xavi Comas Leon taking control in goal beyond them.

Kinnane cleared a Town effort off the line in the closing stages as his team hung on for a win that took them to the top of the table. Both sets of fans who’d created a decent atmosphere gave their players a hand at full time.

The Berkhamsted players went to shake the hands of the vocal fans behind the goal which I thought was a nice touch. Tony and I had enjoyed the match at a welcoming little football club.