Bedford FC

[Rhodes]

Clinical striker Amy McLean (pictured) has signed for Real Bedford Ladies from Milton Keynes Dons Ladies, Amy's claim to fame is scoring almost 200 goals for her local Isleham Under 14's Girls team in Cambridgeshire and was part of Cambridge United's School of Excellence, she played at Wembley Stadium for her school team in the Utilita Football League Girls Cup Final, a Nationwide tournament for junior footballers offering a lifetime opportunity to play at Wembley prior to one of the EFL play-off finals:

Amy McLean Joins The Pirates | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

McLean eyeing a future in the professional game (suffolknews.co.uk)

[Rhodes]

Let's get ready to rumble, ignore the erroneous date, it's today (Saturday 13 July) against Southern League Premier Division Central Kettering Town:

Edited July 20 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 13/07/2024 at 14:02, Rhodes said:

Let's get ready to rumble, ignore the erroneous date, it's today (Saturday 13 July) against Southern League Premier Division Central Kettering Town

A very competitive 2-2 stalemate on Saturday between Real Bedford and Step 3 Club Kettering Town that attracted a good attendance to McMullen Park. Kettering Town took the lead against the run of play on the half hour mark and went 2-0 ahead after 75 minutes however, instead of allowing their heads to drop, Rob Sinclair's men rallied and a long distance strike from Ben Stevens on 83 minutes and, who else, Joey Evans in stoppage time earned a deserved draw:

Edited July 20 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 12/07/2024 at 10:16, Rhodes said:

A reminder of Real Bedford Ladies friendly fixtures ahead of the new campaign in the Women's National League Division One South East, note the following change that the Dartford fixture on Sunday (14 July) will now kick off at 12.00, presumably due to the England v Spain match in the evening

Real Bedford Ladies won 3-2 yesterday at salubrious Princes Park against a very good Dartford Ladies side who finished second in the London & South East Regional Women's League Premier Division last season beating the likes of Fulham Ladies and Millwall Lionesses. Dartford Ladies took an early lead however it wasn't long before Real Bedford Ladies were level and took a 2-1 lead not long after the break, Charlie Bill's already well drilled Ladies took a 3-1 lead before the hosts managed to pull a late goal back:

Edited July 20 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Bulletin folks, Real Bedford Ladies 2024/25 fixtures in the Women's National League Division One South East have been released beginning with a home match against Ashford Town (Middlesex) Ladies on Sunday 18 August followed by a trip to London Bees, in North West London, on Sunday 25 August:

Ladies Fixtures | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Fixtures | The FA Women's National League

2024-25 FA Women’s National League fixtures released - SheKicks

Real Bedford Ladies fixtures announced for first season at step four - Bedford Independent

Edited July 16 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 15/07/2024 at 10:27, Rhodes said:

A very competitive 2-2 stalemate on Saturday between Real Bedford and Step 3 Club Kettering Town that attracted a good attendance to McMullen Park. Kettering Town took the lead against the run of play on the half hour mark and went 2-0 ahead after 75 minutes however, instead of allowing their heads to drop, Rob Sinclair's men rallied and a long distance strike from Ben Stevens on 83 minutes and, who else, Joey Evans in stoppage time earned a deserved draw

This is quite interesting, Kettering Town Manager Richard Lavery giving an assessment of his team's performance in the 2-2 draw on Saturday with a nice backdrop of 'a heavenly' McMullen Park. It won't be that long long to wait will it before Kettering Town are back next season (2025/26) in a Southern League Premier Division Central fixture so long as they are not relegated this coming campaign:

Edited July 16 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Please don't all rush at once so as to not crash the website however an update on Real Bedford merchandise ahead of the forthcoming 2024/25 season in the Southern League Division One Central, it would do some, if not all, EFL Championship and Premier League Club's proud wouldn't it:

Merchandise | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

[Rhodes]

A little early but let's get ready to rumble for Sunday (21 July). Who would have ever envisaged, sorry, contemplated, sorry, imagined or dreamt, two or three years ago, that Real Bedford Ladies, or Bedford Ladies & Girls as was the case then, run under the 'half hearted' 'auspices' of Bedford Town, would be mentioned in the same breath as a Premier League Club's Women's team, namely Fulham Ladies, let alone been playing against them and hosting them at McMullen Park:

Match Focus: Real Bedford Ladies Continue Pre-Season Campaign | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Edited July 22 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Here we go folks, midfield maestro Isaac Galliford (pictured) has signed on the dotted line for Rob Sinclair this week from Hitchin Town which says it all with the Top Field Club in the Southern League Central Premier Division, albeit on a technicality following their underserved twelfth hour reprieve from relegation. Luton born and bred Isaac cut his teeth at Kenilworth Road with Luton Town's flourishing Academy in 2015 and 2016 as well as impressively earning caps at International level with the England C side, he has also plied his indomitable trade with St Neots Town, Hemel Hempstead Town, Hendon, Royston Town, Potters Bar Town, Kings Langley and, wait for it, in America with historic Indiana based University side Butler Bulldogs who came into being as early as 1887 and are distinguished members of the so called 'Pioneer Football League':

Isaac Galliford Joins Real Bedford | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Edited July 23 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Here we go folks, the 2024/25 Southern League Division One Central fixtures have been released, fill your boots, some interesting early games to look forward to during August and four at McMullen Park:

Men's Fixtures | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Saturday 3 August  

Real Bedford v St Neots Town - FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round

Saturday 10 August 

Real Bedford v Hertford Town - Southern League Division One Central  

Tuesday 13 August 

Barton Rovers v Real Bedford - Southern League Division One Central 

Saturday 24 August  

Real Bedford v North Leigh - Southern League Division One Central  

Monday 26 August  

Real Bedford v Stotfold - Southern League Division One Central   

Edited July 22 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 01/06/2024 at 13:50, Rhodes said:

Six pre-season fixtures have already been confirmed by the Club during July:

Saturday 20 July v Harborough Town (Away, 3.00pm)

A narrow 2-1 defeat for Real Bedford at Southern League Premier Division Central Harborough Town on Saturday afternoon, Rob Sinclair's men took an early lead and led at the interval however the hosts were clearly a good Step 3 side and levelled on the eighty minute mark before scoring a winning goal on 86 minutes. Harborough Town boss Mitch Austin was singing Real Bedford's praises at the end of the proceedings and it will be nice to renew acquaintances with the friendly Leicestershire Club in the Southern League Premier Division Central next season (2025/26) as they are very unlikely to be relegated:

HarbTownFC | Mitch Austin Reaction vs Real Bedford FC, 20th July 2024 (mixlr.com)

[Rhodes]

On 01/06/2024 at 13:50, Rhodes said:

Six pre-season fixtures have already been confirmed by the Club during July:

Real Bedford Confirm Pre-Season Schedule | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Tuesday 23 July v Newport Pagnell Town (Away, 7.45pm)

This will be an interesting run out at Willen Road tomorrow evening:

Match Day Info (nptfc.co.uk)

Edited July 23 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 18/07/2024 at 16:47, Rhodes said:

A little early but let's get ready to rumble for Sunday (21 July). Who would have ever envisaged, sorry, contemplated, sorry, imagined or dreamt, two or three years ago, that Real Bedford Ladies, or Bedford Ladies & Girls as was the case then, run under the 'half hearted' 'auspices' of Bedford Town, would be mentioned in the same breath as a Premier League Club's Women's team, namely Fulham Ladies, let alone been playing against them and hosting them at McMullen Park

An exciting 1-1 draw at McMullen Park yesterday between Real Bedford Ladies and London & South East Women's Regional League Premier Division Fulham Ladies, the visitors Head Coach Steve Jaye gives his post match assessment. Next Sunday (28 July) the Ladies travel to Women's National League Southern Premier Division Hashtag United Ladies: 

https://x.com/i/status/1815088340007350438

[Rhodes]

Boss Rob Sinclair has done it again and you have to wonder whether he was Peter Taylor in a past life, Brian Clough's right hand man, or even Arsène Wenger who also had the unique ability to find high quality players from nowhere. This time it is, wait for it, well travelled defender Jacques Kpohomouh (pictured) from Beaconsfield Town and who has also plied his trade for Irlam FC, Bangor City, Radcliffe FC, Southport, Droylsden FC, Hartley Wintney, Hemel Hempstead Town, Ashton United, Herne Bay, Potters Bar Town and Faversham Town including spells in the National League North, National League South and Welsh Premier League. 'Man mountain' Guinea National Jacques is looking forward to being part of the McMullen Park adventure and 'roller coaster ride' that will hopefully culminate in 2031/32 when the Club reach 'the promised land', namely the Premier League:

Jacques Kpohomouh Signs for The Pirates | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Edited July 24 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

Real Bedford must be disappointed only putting 6 past Newport Pagnell last night,. given that Bedford Town scored 9 against the same opposition a fortnight agp.

 

 

[Rhodes]

LondonEagle - I think you are looking for a bite there aren't you, Bedford Town are, fortuitously through the play-offs, a Step 3 Club whereas Real Bedford are still only Step 4 so that can be taken into account and, unlike Real Bedford, they conceded a soft goal (a penalty) at Willen Road near the end. Also Newport Pagnell Town aren't the side they used to be when lifting the FA Vase in 2021/22 and finishing runners up in 2022/23, an amazing achievement under then boss Gary Flinn who is now at Leighton Town. Anyway watch this space for details on last night's comprehensive and workmanlike 6-0 win at Willen Road.

[Rhodes]

On 24/06/2024 at 14:59, Rhodes said:

Seven pre-season fixtures have been confirmed by the Club for the Ladies team during July and early August prior to the start of the new 2024/25 campaign

Real Bedford Ladies Confirm Pre-Season Schedule | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Ladies Fixtures | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Sunday 4 August v AFC Wimbledon, Home, (kick off 2.00pm)

I understand that the scheduled Ladies pre-season friendly fixture with AFC Wimbledon, at McMullen Park on Sunday 4 August, has had to be cancelled so a replacement is currently being sought by the Club, Chelsea, Arsenal or Manchester City Ladies would be nice however the Ladies may well have to wait until the 2027/28 season for that to play them competitively in the Women's Super League.

[Rhodes]

On 24/07/2024 at 12:29, Rhodes said:

Anyway watch this space for details on last night's comprehensive and workmanlike 6-0 win at Willen Road

Some photographs from Real Bedford's 6-0 win at Willen Road on Tuesday evening, courtesy of photographer Shea Whiston:

[Rhodes]

This should be an interesting pre-season run out this afternoon against Southern League Premier Division Central Royston Town, no doubt the Club's will be renewing acquaintances competitively next season (2025/26):

[Rhodes]

Real Bedford Ladies travel to FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division Hashtag United Ladies tomorrow (Sunday 28 July) afternoon for their latest 'loosener' ahead of the forthcoming, and eagerly awaited, 2024/25 FA Women's National League Division One South East campaign:

Edited July 27 by Rhodes