STEP UP IS SO DEVINE TO DEVANE
FAST-RISING manager Chris Devane says it was ‘a no-brainer’ to take the reins at Berkhamsted.
The 30-year-old had guided Step 5 Biggleswade United to third place in the Spartan South Midlands Premier before the football shutdown in March.
His hopes of leading United to promotion were thwarted when the league was declared null and void – like all at Step 3 to 7 – but he has now climbed a rung to join the Comrades.
Under Steve Bateman and Lee Bircham, Berkhamstead were top of Southern League Division One Central when the curtain fell. But their departure last month – with Hemel Hempstead widely tipped to be their next destination – paved the way for Devane to take over.
“It’s an opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” said the 30-year-old, who works as a project manager in a construction company. “When the chance came and I was offered the role, it was a no-brainer. It’s not just a level up, it’s currently the best team at that level.”
Devane insists he had no qualms about following in the footsteps of Bateman and Bircham.
He said: “If I was just in it for personal gain, then I would probably have picked a team at the bottom which makes you look better if you revive them.
“However, if I take over a group that’s number one and add my philosophy, I think it’s a recipe for success.”
Devane has certainly made an impression in his early managerial days.
“I was managing a Sunday
League team four years ago,” he said. “I was then both Crawley Green and Biggleswade United’s youngest ever manager – and I took both of them to the highest ever league position in their history.
“But I’m not here to say ‘I’m this or that’. I’ve achieved nothing, but no chairman has regretted giving me a chance so far.
Enthusiasm
“My hard work and desire has got me this far, and I’m humbled to be given the opportunity. Initially, I didn’t think I would get the job – at 30 years of age and with three years at Step 5 level.
“But I think I bring a different energy which comes with my age and enthusiasm to play a certain way. I think I’m quite relatable to the guys because I’m from the same era.
“My style of play is heavily based around ball retention and passing through the lines.
It has more of a continental feel to it – working very hard off the ball and giving the guys freedom to play and express themselves.”
Berkhamsted chairman Steve Davis is delighted with the arrival of Devane.
“I like the energy that he can bring to the club,” he said. “He’s fairly new as a coach, but his hunger to succeed and go further in the Non-League game is quite evident.
“We won’t put pressure on Chris to do what Steve and Lee did, but he will want to do that himself.
“We didn’t expect to be top of the league last season with the budget we’ve got. We aren’t a big budget side, but it’s about facilities and treating players and managers well. We achieve things that way.”
Devane’s former club Biggleswade United have appointed Cristian Colas, who was previously in charge from 2015-18, as their new manager.