OB Football

OBFC 2021-22 Season Summary

After a truncated 2020-21 season caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, it was extremely refreshing to get through a full season in 2021-22.

For Old Berkhamstedians FC First XI, last year was a transitional one. With many long-standing members ‘retiring’ (see also: falling apart, getting married or starting families), it was time for the next generation of young stars to shine. And so, flush with a huge transfer war chest, the summer recruitment drive spun into overdrive.

The season started brightly, with a 2-1 opening day win against Old Salopians. Wins against Malvern, Rugby and Old Marlburians followed – the latter a famous 3-1 away win courtesy of a Matthew McGrory hat-trick – and by early November, OBFC found themselves in the promotion places.

" You can't win anything with kids." Yeah, right. But how quickly things can change in The Arthurian Division. The congested Festive Fixture Schedule, combined with a few key injuries, saw OBFC go on a winless run in early 2022, slowly slipping down the table. A frantic end-to-end 3-3 draw at home against Malvern in late February, ensured their survival in Division 1 (think The Championship) for another year, but the fact remained that OBFC won 92% of their total points tally in 2021.

Rumours of a strict crackdown on Christmas diets are unconfirmed.

Berkhamsted’s second team enjoyed an incredible 2021-22 season, losing just once en route to romping Division 5. Captain Joel Wren and his troops finished with 11 wins from their 14 games, topping the league by 5 points.

They had the division’s best goal difference – scoring the second most and conceding the fewest, the latter thanks to some spectacular goalkeeping from veteran Matti Nash – and looked a cut above most teams throughout the year, particularly during a heady spell of 8 wins in a row between October and January.

Their promotion came courtesy of the playoffs,first , by defeating Haberdashers in the semi-final before a come-from-behind victory in the final against Old Amplefordians.

For 2022-23, Division 4 awaits.

Oliver Hopkins (Ha ’12)