The new Berkhamsted Football Club kicks off this week and is looking for players to join its community team.

The club was formed last month after its predecessor, Berkhamsted Town FC, folded due to financial difficulties.

It is now looking for local players to don their football boots and take the new team to the top.

The club has secured tenancy at the old team grounds in Broadwater, Lower Kings Road, and pre-season training begins on Thursday (2nd July) at 6.45pm.

The new Berkhamsted FC will make its debut in Division Two of the Spartan South Midlands league during the 2009-10 season, with fixtures expected against teams such as Tring Corinthians and Kings Langley.

Berkhamsted's reserve team also has a place in the league.

The new club has been nicknamed The Comrades, to reflect its community spirit and in homage to the Berkhamsted Comrades, the town's original team formed in 1919.

Micky Vipond, former manager of Leverstock Green FC, has been appointed as the club's manager.

Berkhamsted FC chairman, Ben Terry, said: "Micky and his team are the ideal management group to lead the Comrades, with the right blend of team spirit, discipline and success on the pitch to match the great progress made behind the scenes over the last few months.

"Micky has a real aura about him that we hope will attract a very good standard of player to Berkhamsted FC and enable us to have a real crack at promotion in our first ever season in Division Two of the SSMFL."

Players who think they are up to the challenge of helping the team leap up the league should contact Ben on 07779 352562.

Photo: Berkhamsted FC Treasurer Roger Lambert, Director Grant Hastie, Chairman Ben Terry and new manager Micky Vipond at Broadwater (Credit: Joe Williams)