Bedford FC

[Rhodes]

On 31/03/2025 at 17:22, Rhodes said:

Somewhat of a shock result yesterday afternoon for Real Bedford Ladies as they failed to win for the first time in seven League outings with a 0-0 draw at a dogged and decent AFC Sudbury Ladies side, see local press coverage. Fortunately it only delays the inevitable with Norwich City Ladies still five points behind in the FA Women's National League Division One South East table with just two fixtures remaining, Real Bedford Ladies can secure the Championship, and promotion, with a win over bottom of the table London Seaward Ladies at the Ledger Stadium on Sunday 13 April which is of course part of the CheatCode Conference weekend in Bedford with Real Bedford Men's team possibly securing the Southern League Division One Chamionship the day before, also at a near capacity Ledger Stadium, against Kings Langley with Club co-owners the Winkelvoss twins in attendance. What an incredible season it has been

The clock is ticking folks, not long now until the incredible CheatCode Conference weekend as well as the two perfectly timed Championship deciders for the Men's and Women's teams, see previews on the respective matches:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/the-americans-are-coming-real-bedford-vs-kings-langley-preview

https://www.realbedford.com/news/the-women-are-coming-real-bedford-women-vs-london-seaward-preview

Edited April 10 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Let's get ready to rumble for tomorrow's (Saturday 5 April) Southern League Division One Central fixture with Aylesbury United, see a link to the early match programme:

download PDF Download

Edited April 9 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

No difficulties again then for Rob Sinclair's men at Aylesbury United on Saturday (5 April) with a 4-1 victory and with Berkhamsted FC incredibly failing to beat lowly Kiddlington at home the Southern League Division One Championship can be secured next Saturday at the Ledger Stadium against Kings Langley as part of the CheatCode Conference weekend with the Ladies team securing their own FA Women's National League Division One South East Championship the following afternoon. See a match report and local press coverage with Archie Jones, Ben Stevens and a brace from, who else, Joey Evans scoring the goals at The Meadow:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/the-pirates-delivered-another-impressive-performance-cruising-to-a-4-1-victory-over-aylesbury-united

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-one-game-away-from-league-title-after-aylesbury-win/

Edited April 7 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

A lot of recent and interesting posts on another Forum, again make of them what you will especially the penultimate one where it says 'There was an update from Bedford board in Saturday's programme which basically said it might happen or it might not!', to clarify that's the Bedford Town match programme:

But surely there are more passionate, vocal Bedford Town fans who will surely have kicked up a fuss? I honestly can't believe they're all in the dark about it and not knowing what's going on. It seems like Bedford Town fans are, like their club, happy to be bent over backwards by someone with a bit of money and "ambition" I know for a fact if that was my club, as it once was, there would be an outcry, and protests etc, but yet you're suggesting Bedford Town fans are just forgetting about it because their team is in a good position in the league? Sounds very strange to me.

Agree, there has been chants of you can stick your Bitcoin up your arse at games. Fans Forum people were told it was very early stages of talks. Actually it was far more advanced than that but only people with inside information would know that. Since then there's been completely radio silence from both Club's on it really, so maybe some assume it's not happening. Some key Fans were fed the line that the name on the contract is Bedford Town so there's no chance of a name change. That was passed on and many probably believed it, the owners don't care what anyone thinks they carved the deal up between them months ago. Yes, later on quite a few may well end up wishing they'd kicked up more of a fuss but would it have stopped it happening? Basically, no.

Very difficult to see what they can do, the shareholders appear to have already agreed to sell. The buyer probably has exclusivity and will probably be owed compensation if the sellers speak to another party. This seems to have gone public beyond the point at which there's any realistic possibility of fan protests having much impact. Ironically I think protest at the Real Bedford end could have more impact. Even then I suspect it would be too late. He'll have done his sums. He knows some fans will walk away but if he has a successful season or two with a merged Club, it's likely gates will rise as new fans are attracted and the deal gets him a better ground grading. Would he stop the deal if a significant protest emerged at the Real Bedford end? Probably not. This is a long term play.

The other option is that Bedford Town cut their cloth accordingly and stop trying to outdo their vastly wealthier neighbours. They are not going bust, they just have an owner who has spent far too much money to get them to where they are and can no longer afford it. He could have said, look I can't afford this anymore, are their any other investors out there willing to come in, or shall we cut the budget back and live within our means. Bedford Town's level of support is such that matchday revenue they bring in could easily keep them afloat at Step 4. Now we are faced with the ludicrous situation where it would appear Real Bedford will move into the stadium being watched by 200 people while alienating a large portion of the town's football fans who more than likely will set up another Bedford Club and end up playing in a park again being watched by many more people than a Club who can bankroll their way to the top of the non-league game with ease.

I thought that I read on here that Town said they were in financial trouble at the supporters forum hence the merger deal? and that's why I suggested a ground share so that both clubs could continue their journeys without one being wiped from history by the other who just wants their ground. Jon Taylor's dad supported Town for over 70 years so I'm shocked that he is in favour of the merger. Back on March 22nd someone on Facebook said it was decision time for Bedford Town.

There's a reasonable amount of debt I think at Bedford Town in terms of Directors loans. If Real Bedford surpass them then any hope they have of ever recovering that money probably goes. Having tried to buy BTFC a few years back, McCormack will be well aware of the loans. Effectively he is offering to take the club off their hands and they will probably get back all or most of what they have put in.

If this merger has gone ahead what are the rules about which Division they play in ? I was told it had to be the lower division of the two Club's but is that the case?

Town owners are long-term supporters and the terms of the merger (name, colours etc.) were open to negotiation, is how I took the initial announcement at face value. Now it seems Town are heavily in debt to their owners and Real hold all the aces, other than not having an adequate ground. Why didn't the Town owners just sell to McCormack in the first place? Has all this debt been accrued in the 3 years or so since they turned him down? Was the money they loaned to BTFC actually theirs in the first place, or have they remortgaged their homes or borrowed it from elsewhere? Or maybe McCormack and his billionaire backers have simply made an offer too good to refuse? They say every man has his price.

Both grounds owned by Council. It's not just the FA, even if there is a broad basic agreement between the 2 Club's - we are now almost mid-April - friiendlies will be starting in less than 3 months, to get all the legal complexitiies over the line and things like a design a kit, badge and manufacture it in time is a lot to do.

There was an update from Bedford board in Saturday's programme which basically said it might happen or it might not!

Apparently fans can contact the FA if they are not happy or have concerns about the merger although it's not quite clear how you go about doing this. I mean, it's only 3 years since he took over Bedford FC and changed their name so they may have a few raised eyebrows about dealing with him again so soon, although they probably would not block it just for that.

Edited April 7 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

An interesting, and well put together, video from a Blogger called 'Fusion Josh' who attended the Bedford Town v Kettering Town fixture on Friday 21 February, he covers the proposed merger of Bedford Town and Real Bedford. I wonder what London Eagle thinks 😉

I travelled to Bedford Town as they faced Kettering in a top of the table clash however the main story is the link with Real Bedford and the potential merge between the two...

Edited April 8 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

I am a little bit surprised that LondonEgle hasn't been on to give his 'influential' review of the current position at both Bedford Town and Real Bedford, I still have a gut feeling that nothing whatsover will happen with the so called 'merger', the most important thing for Real Bedford is surely the groundshare as obviously the Club have aspirations to reach the promised land, and the Premier League in 2031/32, it's a rollercoaster ride of Blackpool proportions for the Club isn't it, unlike at Bedford Town, maybe that is why they are so against the proposed merger and so 'set in their ways' that they can't see the 'light at the end of the rainbow'.

Edited April 8 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Here we go folks, over fifty photographs from Real Bedford's comprehensive 4-1 victory at Aylesbury United last Saturday (5 April), courtesy of Aylesbury United's excellent Club photographer Mike Snell, with strikes from Archie Jones, Ben Stevens and a brace from, who else, Joey Evans:

[Rhodes]

On 01/04/2025 at 22:26, LondonEagle said:

"Man opens small coffee shop in large town" is actually now a BBC news story?

LondonEagle - Sorry, why can't you just take a step back, breathe, and see the big picture, Bedford will have a Premier League Club in 2031/32, is that not what you want.

[LondonEagle]

1 hour ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - Sorry, why can't you just take a step back, breathe, and see the big picture, Bedford will have a Premier League Club in 2031/32, is that not what you want.

Lol where it will play this Premier League club? Takes years to get planning permission and build a ground for 20,000 plus fans. If the merger happens, 90 per cent of the Bedford Town fans I know are walking away next season.  

Edited April 8 by LondonEagle

[Rhodes]

13 minutes ago, LondonEagle said:

Lol where it will play this Premier League club? Takes years to get planning permission and build a ground for 20,000 plus fans. If the merger happens, 90 per cent of the Bedford Town fans I know are walking away next season.  

LondonEagle - Well look at Bournemouth, their capacity is 11,500 and they are in the Premier Division. Why not just accept it, and progress, and enjoy the amazing rollercoaster ride under Mr McCormack.

[LondonEagle]

6 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - Well look at Bournemouth, their capacity is 11,500 and they are in the Premier Division. Why not just accept it, and progress, and enjoy the amazing rollercoaster ride under Mr McCormack.

Where will this 11,500 stadium be?

Good luck to him. It's possible to wish someone well without feeling part of it.

[Rhodes]

On 07/04/2025 at 18:43, Rhodes said:

There was an update from Bedford board in Saturday's programme which basically said it might happen or it might not!

LondonEagle - Were you at The Eyrie last Saturday for the disappointing 1-1 draw with Harborough Town, perhaps you could post the update from the match programme mentioned above, it was posted on the other Forum but isn't readable:

[Rhodes]

I see that the proposed Bedfordshire Universal Theme Park has been approved, and nodded through, by Government today (9 April), I know one entrepreneurial individual who will be pricking up his ears with that great news. Coincidentally the park's opening is planned for 1931, the exact year when the man himself, Mr McCormack, has predicted the Club will reach the promised land of the Premier League for the 1931/32 campaign, you simply couldn't make it up or write it could you:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cz95n2837vgo

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/jobs-joy-and-jurassic-park-bedford-responds-to-universal-studios-announcement/

https://www.bedford.gov.uk/news/2025/bedford-borough-become-home-universal-uk

The first Universal theme park in Europe will be built in the UK, the Government has promised. The attraction is planned for the site of a former brick works near Bedford and could create an estimated 28,000 jobs before opening in 2031. Universal estimated the 476-acre complex could attract 8.5 million visitors in its first year. Sir Keir Starmer said the multi- billion-pound investment by the company would "see Bedford home to one of the biggest entertainment parks in Europe, firmly putting the County on the global stage".

Edited April 10 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Another Podcast folks, with Mr McCormack interviewing, wait for it, former Southampton idol, wait for it again, the iconic Matt Le Tissier with obviously a lot of focus on football as well as a multitude of other sins, it's a real insight into the great man (Matt Le Tissier):

Matt Le Tissier is a former England international and Premier League football legend, best known for his loyalty to Southampton, his incredible goals, and his reputation as one of the most naturally gifted players of his generation. Since retiring, he has become one of the few high-profile sports figures willing to speak out on politics, media manipulation, and the erosion of personal freedom. In this interview, Matt discusses his career, why he turned down big-money moves to stay loyal to his club, and how his life changed after questioning the government’s Covid response. We discuss his experience of being cancelled by Sky Sports, the chilling effect on public figures who question official narratives, and why the media no longer serves the public. 00:00:00 – Introduction 00:03:08 – WhenEverything Changed 00:06:57 – Cancelled by Sky Sports 00:09:42 – Jamie Carragher 00:10:23 – Would He Do It Again? 00:14:26 – Raja Miah and the Cover-Up 00:15:52 – Narcissists Run the Country 00:17:05 – Politics and Ambition 00:18:58 – Running a Small Business 00:21:18 – Incompetence or Malice? 00:23:35 – Losing Trust in the Media 00:25:00 – The Fear Machine 00:26:50 – Vaccines, Autism and Censorship 00:30:00 – Science Is Never Settled 00:34:50 – Everything Feels Coordinated 00:35:59 – Fear = Control 00:37:09 – Governments Can Print Forever 00:38:30 – The Bitcoin Football Team 00:41:07 – Bitcoin vs. Inflation Explained 00:43:17 – Life in Non-League Football 00:47:52 – Football Used to Be Fun 00:53:00 – Media Narrative 00:55:00 – Mismanaging the Nation 01:00:36 – Closing Thoughts.

Edited April 9 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Phew, it's still busy over on another Forum with a lot of 'tittle-tattle', gossip and prattle concerning the merger, make of the comments what you will:

The easiest way to get this "merger" done is to simply close Real Bedford down and call Bedford Town whatever the owners want. I doubt either of the parties involved in this sordid affair give a toss about the history of either club, but they'll just stick their version on their website and Wiki and it'll become "fact" after a while. I'm not sure why they're doing it any other way. As an aside, Moor Green and Solihull Borough didn't merge to become Solihull Moors. They just change Green's name - retaining their FA affiliation and place in Conference North - and closed Borough down.

If they cared that deeply about the future of "their" club, then surely they would refuse the merger (takeover) and reduce their costs and operate at a level that is sustainable and affordable to them, regardless of what the other lot are doing? Surely an independent Bedford Town playing at their ground in their colours in front of their own fans at a lower, sustainable, level is better and shows that they deeply care more about their club than just getting their hands on some bitcoined silver? I maybe one of these "experts on social media who think they know better" but I'm not really, I'm just someone who still doesn't get why Bedford Town* aren't doing more to save themselves from an obvious takeover, unless the Real guy is just going to give up Real Bedford and buy Bedford Town and bankroll them, but this doesn't appear to be the case. *= Meaning the fans, directors, players etc, anyone concerned with Bedford Town.

This argument is being made on this thread over and over again, but misses the important point. The lower, sustainable level does not exist. If Bedford Town continue to play at the New Eyrie, but drop to a level where the players are completely amateur, then incomes would drop to the point where a subsidy from the directors would be needed just to pay the upkeep and bills on the ground. At least 99% of football Club's are unsustainable, and they exist because of directors and owners subsidising them. If the current directors of Bedford Town can no longer support the club, they need to transfer ownership to someone who can. It does seem that most of the comments are because people do not trust a bitcoin entrepreneur. I understand that a bit, as I do not understand the business, but I can see that McCormack has access to real money, however it is generated. Once we are passed this, it is up to the people of Bedford, and particularly the supporters of the clubs. If the supporters of Bedford Town are screaming to stop talk of mergers and keeping independence, then I would hope they can find a way - and would hope their club owners would not merge it from under them. But if the support are accepting of the change, then let it happen.

Speaking of Bedford, Universal have just secured investment to announce their first European theme park/resort, set to open in six years. I wonder if that will (long-term) end up impacting the football club(s)? It'll be pretty large.

[LondonEagle]

9 hours ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - Were you at The Eyrie last Saturday for the disappointing 1-1 draw with Harborough Town, perhaps you could post the update from the match programme mentioned above, it was posted on the other Forum but isn't readable:

 

It basically said nothing is certain yet it may happen or it may not, in a lot more words than that.    

[Rhodes]

21 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

It basically said nothing is certain yet it may happen or it may not, in a lot more words than that    

LondonEagle - Thanks, that's all very woolly isn't it, you said recently that the merger is definitely a done deal so it's difficult to know what to believe. If both Bedford Club's, or rather Bedford Town also, get promotion with Real Bedford this season and then the merger goes ahead would the 'new Club' play in Step Two or Step Three next season, Bedford Town are by no means certain to win the Championship with four tricky looking matches remaining, especially at home to Stratford Town and Stourbridge, and the odds would be very much stacked against them to gain promotion through the play-off's again as they fortuitously did last year. 

Edited April 10 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

3 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - Thanks, that's all very woolly isn't it, you said recently that the merger is definitely a done deal so it's difficult to know what to believe. If both Bedford Club's, or rather Bedford Town, get promotion this season and then the merger does go ahead would the 'new' Club play in Step Two or Step Three next season, Bedford Town are by no means certain to win the Championship with four tricky matches remaining, especially at home to Stratford Town and Stourbridge, and the odds would be stacked against them to gain promotion through the play-off's again as they fortuitously did last year. 

The FA don't have to approve any merger I don't believe.  

[Rhodes]

LondonEagle - Thanks again, there are some more posts over on another Forum, which sort of answers my earlier question regarding promotion, and a useful link to the 'Owners and Director's Test' guidance document:

Very close towards settling one issue within this saga on Saturday because of 2nd-placed Berkhamsted's shock 0-0 draw last weekend at home to relegation threatened Kidlington. It means (given overwhelming goal difference dominance) that to be crowned Southern First Central champions Real Bedford only need their own draw at home to 17th Kings Langley or Berkhamsted to stumble again (this time at home to long-relegated North Leigh) and that will remove any chance of Step-4 hosting the initial reprieve from any merger of the two Bedford Club's. By my reckoning, it'll then have to be Step-2 (if Bedford Town are promoted but the lower status from Real Bedford's promotion is forced on the merged Club) or Step 3 for the initial reprieve followed by knock-on reprieves down the rest of the Pyramid.

Is there any sort of test or requirement for Directors at non-league level to prove they are fit and proper, would the FA have checked McCormack's background at some point?

Believe so, certainly up at National League level and also in the three 'Trident' Leagues (= Northern Premier League /Isthmian Football League /Southern Football League).
Seems it's now referred to as the "Owners and Directors Test". Anyone able to expand on how it works in practice?

https://www.thefa.com/-/media/files/thefaportal/governance-docs/rules-of-the-association/2021-22/owners-and-directors-test.pdf

Edited April 9 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 18/03/2025 at 17:34, Rhodes said:

You're not seeing things folks and it's not April 1st yet either, don't all rush at once for the handful of tickets remaining for the CheatCode Conference and it's likely the Southern League Division One Central fixture at the Ledger Stadium with Kings Langley on Saturday 12 April will be a sell out too or possibly made all ticket:

Peter McCormack - I’m pleased to announce that Real Bedford co-owners Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss will be visiting Bedford to speak at the Cheat Code Conference and support the team at our upcoming match against Kings Langley, I'm so grateful for their support. Tickets - cheatcode.co.uk/tickets

They're on their way folks, dust off those autograph books:

We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome our co-owners Tyler and Cameron, along with the Gemini team, who are flying into Bedford for their very first game. Tyler and Cameron will be speaking at CheatCode on Friday and on Saturday they’ll be joining us, together with the Gemini team, to watch our match against Kings Langley. There’ll also be complimentary Gemini merchandise for attendees, as well as a free Gemini pizza van. Join us for what promises to be a fantastic weekend.

Edited Tuesday at 08:44 by Rhodes