Berkhamsted FC secured a historic double today (April 1) after a draw against Kidlington FC saw the team crowned as league champions.
Such has been Berkhamsted’s dominance this season, lifting the trophy has been something of a foregone conclusion for weeks. The ‘Comrades’ missed out on the chance to secure the title the previous Saturday, losing for the first time since November away to Hertford. This was perhaps a blessing in disguise, as the team got the chance to celebrate in style with a rampant Glencar Stadium. A record number of 534 fans turned out for the match which, despite Berkhamsted’s supremacy, ended in a 0-0 draw.
Berkhamsted have been imperious this season, with today’s result leaving them 19 points ahead of second place with five games still to play. Going into today’s game, The Comrades had the best home record of any football club in the country, having won every league and cup match before today’s draw.
The Premier League, Championship, and League One and Two, are the traditional top four tiers of English football. Below that is the National League, which is referred to as Step 1, just off the ladder of professional football. With promotion, Berkhamsted now enter the Southern League Premier Division Central, which is referred to as Step 3.
This comes just three days after The Comrades made history by becoming the first Step 4 side to win the Hertfordshire Senior Cup, a competition that dates back to the 1880s.
After defeating Watford Under 21s side in the semi-final, Berkhamsted came up against Hitchin Town of the league above. A back-and-forth game in tempestuous weather ended 2-2, with dreaded penalties to follow. Goalkeeper Cameron Groom made a crucial save before captain Ryan Kinnane stepped up to sweep home the winning penalty.
Manager Chris Devane said after the match: “Since we lost the playoff final here last April, winning the league is all I’ve thought about. Every single night before I go to bed, I look at the table. I promised the chairman this is what we’re going to do, and to do it with five games to spare with such a gap behind us is phenomenal.”
On being a Step 3 club for the first time, he said: “We’re not going there to make up the numbers, it’s not in my nature, it’s not how I work. Let’s plan now to go and compete, and build a real club in this town.”
On securing the league and cup double, Chris said: “Step 4 teams never win the cup. It’s not happened in 130 years, and we’ve done it. We’ve done the double, and we’re going to have a good party tonight.”
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