Berkhamsted players banned from watching FA Cup draw
· Yahoo Sports
The manager of seventh-tier Berkhamsted says his players have been banned from the "distraction" of the FA Cup second round draw.
The Hertfordshire club travel to fellow Southern League Premier Division South side Plymouth Parkway in the final tie of the first round on Monday, with the draw to be made ahead of the 19:30 kick-off.
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The tie will be broadcast to an international television audience, and, like their hosts, Berkhamsted have never previously reached this stage of the competition.
"I've told the players they're not allowed anywhere near it [the draw]. Someone could tell me if they want who we get. I'm not really bothered about it," said Comrades boss Chris Devane.
"It's important the players are focused on what they're there to do and that's win a football game. There's no point losing focus about who you may play if you do win, if you end up jeopardising the opportunity to win by doing so.
"The players will be nowhere near it. I've told them all, let me deal with all the press, let me deal with the TV interviews. You guys have got a job to do. Let me worry about sweeping the floor, so to speak, so that's what the plan is."
Berkhamsted, formed in 2009 after Berkhamsted Town folded, have beaten Bishop's Stortford, Hendon, Redditch United and Southend United to reach this stage - winning £20,625 from the FA's prize fund in the process.
The winners of Monday's tie will take £47,750, with £15,800 going to the losers. Both clubs will also pocket £50,000 for the tie being selected for broadcast.
The Comrades travelled down to Devon on Sunday, with their part-time players due to return home on Tuesday - and many needing to take unpaid leave from work.
Speaking to BBC Three Counties Radio, Devane said: "I'm really intrigued to see how much will a proper day of rest, prep and pre-match meal actually helps them [my players]."
Berkhamsted are featuring in the FA Cup first round for the first time in their history [Ollie Bayliss/BBC]