Berko boss Vipond aiming to push the club forward

The Comrades still have a chance of success with the sheer number of games left and the unpredictability of the league, along with a chance in three cup tournaments.

“You don’t want to write the season off at all with the amount of football we have still got left,” said the Berko boss. “This is only our sixth season as the new football club – we started in Division Two and have come right up to the Premier so we’ve done pretty well.

“I want to push Berkhamsted to the next step, providing the club is willing to do that; it’s a fantastic club to manage and the support we are getting is very encouraging.”

Vipond was keen to look at the positives and was also quick to heap praise on development coach Joe Sweeney who nurtures Berko’s youthful reserves.

“Joe is doing a superb job with our younger players, he has a very good young side and we as a club encourage progression through to the first team which bodes well for our future.

“We’ve got to be careful, thoug,h as we still want to win football matches so it’s making sure we have the right balance, but Joe has educated them well with their footballing responsibilities.”

At the time the Gazette went to press, Berko were gearing up for the rearranged Herts Senior Cup tie against Leverstock Green.

Vipond’s side then face London Tigers on Saturday and although their opponents are winless in six, he knows it’ll be a stern test.

“Knowing this league like I do, I won’t read anything into that,” he said. “We went to Ampthill Town who were bottom and lost 3-1, but we’ve beaten second place Sun Sports three times this year.

“Positions in the league table don’t mean anything to me at all – London Tigers have a very good set-up and some handy players so it won’t be easy.”