Exciting times for 7th tier club as they announce new ownership and investment

There are exciting times for 7th tier club Berkhamsted FC as this week, they announce new ownership and vital investment.

The Southern League Premier Central outfit, who sit second from bottom, are looking forward to seeing what is in store for the next 10 years.

They have reached an agreement with 80% of shares being acquired, after the founding shareholders are unable to carry the club with further time or investment, having helped take them up the tiers.

For 2022/23, they finished top of the Southern League Division One Central, with 88 points from 36 games played, 19 points clear of second.

They currently sit 21st in the Southern League – Premier Central with 10 points from 18 games played.

🌈BERKHAMSTED | New owners have been announced at the Premier Central club to take them to the next phase of development: https://t.co/qRe6M7yMz0@BerkoFC | #SouthernLeague pic.twitter.com/CXIwgjRWGV

— The Pitching In Southern Football League (@SouthernLeague1) November 24, 2023

We are delighted to be part of this journey and look forward to many more years of success for @BerkoFC https://t.co/QsepWvuBIH

— Glencar (@GlencarTweets) November 24, 2023

CLUB STATEMENT:

The Comrades are under new ownership!

NEW OWNERS INVEST IN BERKHAMSTED FOOTBALL CLUB LIMITED

When Berkhamsted Football Club was re-established in 2009, five shareholders took up the initial shares in the new club. Fourteen years on, the club is delighted to announce that a consortium of individuals and corporate investors have reached agreement to acquire 80% of those shares, thereby taking control of the club on the next phase of its development, which will be enabled by a ten-year investment commitment.

The founding shareholders have been careful and diligent custodians of Berkhamsted FC in its rise from Step 7 to Step 3 but are no longer able to provide sufficient time or investment to maintain a club of Berkhamsted’s status. The consortium thanks the founding shareholders for their stewardship and is proud to take on the responsibility of keeping football in Berkhamsted, recognising the value of the club to its loyal supporters and the local community.

Chairman Steve Davis commented, “It’s taken several months to get this one across the line, and I’m delighted that the consortium is committed to taking the club forward. Working with the board of directors, our landlord and all our great volunteers, we’re determined to get things right off the pitch so that the team and the manager can get things right on the pitch.”

Eddie McGillycuddy, an existing shareholder and CEO of main sponsors, Glencar, said, “I’m also delighted this process is now complete, pending legal formalities, and I’d like to thank those who’ve worked so hard on the project behind the scenes. I’m excited to see where we can take Berkhamsted FC over the next ten years, and I’ll be working hard with the other new shareholders to make things happen at the club. We’re clear that we want to continue to connect with the local community and deliver our unique offering – competitive non-league football in a family friendly atmosphere.”

More details will be available very shortly, including information on how fans can become owners. At least ten percent of the shares have been reserved for a newly created Berkhamsted Supporters Club and, for a small annual subscription, supporters will be able to own a part of their club and have a real voice in the way ahead for Berkhamsted FC.

There is also a plan to have a fans’ forum at the club in due course to update supporters and answer questions on the new ownership.

As always, Up the Comrades.

BERKHAMSTED’S HONOURS

Southern Football League
Division One Central champions 2022–23

Spartan South Midlands League
Premier Division runners-up 2017–18
Division One champions 2010–11
Division Two champions 2009–10
Premier Division Cup winners 2014–15

St Mary’s Cup
Winners 2013–14

Hertfordshire Charity Shield
Winners 2016–17

Hertfordshire Senior Cup
Winners 2022–23

Records

Best FA Cup performance: Third qualifying round, 2022–23, 2023–24
Best FA Vase performance: Fifth round, 2015–16
Record attendance: 534 vs Kidlington, 1 April 2023
Biggest win: 12–1 vs Stotfold, FA Cup extra preliminary round, 5 August 2017
Heaviest defeat: 7–1 vs Hanwell Town, Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division, 2011–12; 6–0 vs Hemel Hempstead Town, St Mary’s Cup, 2011–12
Most goals in a season: Matt Bateman, 44 in 2018–19

This is how fans reacted, saying there was exciting times ahead for 7th tier club as they announce new ownership and investment…

@andydd88: Exciting news. Interesting to see where the next step of the clubs journey goes to. Good to hear there will be an opportunity for fans to get involved.

@JonnyDavies88: Good work guys!!!! Excited to more steps forward

@jamiefewery: Great news for the future of the club. Excited to see where it can go from here!

@skidders61: Brilliant news… so exciting. Now just need to hear the same about @WBA

@RobsonOReardon: Great club! The future is looking bright 🟡🔵

@BerkoRSeniors: All sounds great and a big move forward

@BucksWriter: This is good news for @BerkoFC. I said after our visit a fortnight ago that they have some terrifically friendly and accommodating staff and volunteers and hoped they could reward them with an upturn in results. Hopefully this can help deliver that reward.