Bedford FC

[Rhodes]

On 03/10/2024 at 17:42, Rhodes said:

Let's get ready to rumble for Saturday's FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round tie at Isthmian League Premier Division Bowers & Pitsea

It was a bad day at the office for Rob Sinclair's men on Saturday going down 3-0 to a very good Isthmian League Premier Division Bowers & Pitsea side putting paid to the Club's FA Trophy aspirations for this season. See some match reports with the last one, from the Bedford Independent, also covering Bedford Town's embarrassing 5-1 home defeat to Isthmian League Premier Division Hendon, also in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/bedfords-fa-trophy-run-ends-in-3-0-defeat-to-bowers-pitsea

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2024-2025/fa-trophy/bowers-and-pitsea/real-bedford/514309

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/bedfords-football-sides-suffer-in-afternoon-of-fa-trophy-disappointment/

[Rhodes]

3 hours ago, Rhodes said:

Real Bedford Ladies were extremely unlucky not to claim all three points at Norwich City Ladies on Sunday afternoon in an exciting 0-0 stalemate, see match reports:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-left-frustrated-in-0-0-draw-against-norwich-city

https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/womens-report-norwich-city-v-real-bedford

A groundhopper from another Forum was at The Nest on Sunday where Norwich City Ladies ply their trade and gives an interesting account:

Norwich City Women 0 Real Bedford Women 0
FA National Women's League Division One
The Nest 3G
Admission - 7 pounds
Programme - online: https://issuu.com/norwichcityfc/docs/real_bedford?ff
Attendance - 375
I'd originally had this game penciled in for quite a while but the FA Sunday Cup draw had caused a change of mind, however FC Steamers v Long Stratton was called off after the away side conceded. So back to this fixture which was between the two sides expected to battle for the one promotion spot. NC had recruited a new Manager and some players who had played at higher levels, whereas RB had made wholesale changes with 14 signings including 10 from MK Dons who had finished sixth in the Division above this. Going into the game both sides were unbeaten, NC top and RC in 4th having played one game less.
As expected a very tight game with a distinct lack of goalscoring chances, nearest being when NC thought the ball had crossed the line after 31 minutes following a goalmouth scramble but appeals were waved away.
Both sides had a few chances second half but the scoreline stayed at 0-0 thus maintaining both sides unbeaten runs in the league, neither side will be happy with the fact that they both have now drawn three league games consecutively. No change in league positions after this result, RB have a game in hand on NC and currently 3 points adrift but with a goal difference 8 goals worse. On this showing RB may have the edge over the season. Of course whilst a lot of the focus is on these two sides, Actonians and Dulwich Hamlet are also in good form and split them in the league table and only 2 points separate DH in 3rd and Cambridge United in 9th. This looks like an interesting Division.
Watched the game with norwich6, Gyles also spotted at the game.

Edited October 8 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

An interesting Podcast from last month hosted by likeable Irish writer Jillian Godsil with Mr McCormack guesting. Fast forward to 22 minutes where Real Bedford, and Bedford in general, is discussed, otherwise the Podcast is predominantly about non footballing issues:

Peter McCormack’s life has been a bit of an open book, his initial rise to financial success and subsequent crash in both work and personal life is the stuff of movies; especially since his well-documented recovery and new successes are in the equally dazzling industries of crypto and football, or rather Bitcoin and Real Bedford. Listen here to find out about the new content Peter living and working in Bedford.

Edited October 8 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Good news in that tomorrow's Southern League Division One Central fixture with Thame United at the Ledger Stadium will be live streamed:

Real Bedford Live Stream | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Real Bedford v Thame United | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Edited October 11 by Rhodes

[Winslow Boy]

On 08/10/2024 at 11:29, Rhodes said:

It was a bad day at the office for Rob Sinclair's men on Saturday going down 3-0 to a very good Isthmian League Premier Division Bowers & Pitsea side putting paid to the Club's FA Trophy aspirations for this season. See some match reports with the last one, from the Bedford Independent, also covering Bedford Town's embarrassing 5-1 home defeat to Isthmian League Premier Division Hendon, also in the FA Trophy Third Qualifying Round:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/bedfords-fa-trophy-run-ends-in-3-0-defeat-to-bowers-pitsea

https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/match/2024-2025/fa-trophy/bowers-and-pitsea/real-bedford/514309

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/bedfords-football-sides-suffer-in-afternoon-of-fa-trophy-disappointment/

Very good? Relegation fodder at the step above. Very poor result I would say

[Rhodes]

On 11/10/2024 at 16:21, Rhodes said:

Good news in that tomorrow's Southern League Division One Central fixture with Thame United at the Ledger Stadium will be live streamed:

Real Bedford Live Stream | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Real Bedford v Thame United | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

A gentle reminder from the Club that Biggleswade FC, Bedford Town's 'tennants' are also playing at home this afternoon, against York City, in an FA Cup Fourth Qualifying Round tie so a large crowd is anticipated:

We encourage fans to arrive early at The Ledger Stadium tomorrow and, where possible, to share car journeys or use public transport. Due to Biggleswade FC playing at Bedford Town next door, parking will be limited. Thank you for your cooperation!

Edited October 12 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 24/09/2024 at 19:03, Rhodes said:

Here we go folks, the draw for the Women's FA Cup Third Qualifying Round has been made that sees Real Bedford Ladies, who enter the competition at this stage, travel to, wait for it, Cambridge United Ladies who, coincidentally, weather permitting, they meet tomorrow evening, at the Ledger Stadium, in a FA Women's National League Division One South East fixture. The tie is sheduled to be played at St Neots Town FC, on Sunday 13 October, kick off 2.00pm, where the Club's Ladies team normally ply their trade however there is a chance it could well be switched to Cambridge United's plush Abbey Stadium. It's certainly a winnable tie for Real Bedford Ladies however it could have perhaps been slightly easier against a lower level side who have so far come through the two previous Qualifying Rounds:  

https://www.thefa.com/news/2024/sep/24/adobe-womens-fa-cup-third-qualifying-round-draw-20242409

Let's get ready to rumble for Real Bedford Ladies Women's FA Cup Third Qualifying Round tie at Cambridge United Ladies tomorrow (Sunday 13 October) afternoon, the tie will be played at St Neots Town Football Club where a good attendance is expected:

https://shekicks.net/184-teams-set-for-adobe-womens-fa-cup-3rd-round-qualifying/

[Rhodes]

On 11/10/2024 at 16:21, Rhodes said:

Good news in that tomorrow's Southern League Division One Central fixture with Thame United at the Ledger Stadium will be live streamed

I take it overseas fans enjoyed the live stream from Saturday's amazing 7-2 Southern League Division One Central win over Thame United, here are highlights from the live stream, a match report and local press coverage:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/pirates-sink-thame-united-in-9-goal-thriller-at-ledger-stadium

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-thrash-thame-to-solidify-status-as-title-challengers/

Edited Sunday at 07:12 by Rhodes

[RallyInRaleigh]

Table starting to take shape on the men's side and we certainly appear to be in the thick of it. Disappointing result for the ladies in their cup run but all to play for with regards to promotion. I'm looking forward to the games ahead.

[Rhodes]

On 14/10/2024 at 20:47, RallyInRaleigh said:

Table starting to take shape on the men's side and we certainly appear to be in the thick of it. Disappointing result for the ladies in their cup run but all to play for with regards to promotion. I'm looking forward to the games ahead.

Yes, disappointing is putting it mildly, I haven't seen any match reports as yet which would indicate the Club are just as shocked as we are however there's nothing from Cambridge United Ladies either other than this very brief video clip of one of their goals with Real Bedford Ladies defenders looking shell shocked. Cambridge United Ladies now host Norwich City Ladies in the next round of the Women's FA Cup:

[Rhodes]

A little premature but how do we see next Saturday's Southern League Division One Central fixture at Hertford Town's Hertingfordbury Park home going on a 3g surface:

[Rhodes]

This is interesting folks and pretty much says it all about the Club's amazing transformation since Mr McCormack took the reins, photographs from Bedford FC v Langford in a SSML Division One fixture at McMullen Park on Saturday 19 April 2014. Coincidentally Bedford FC finished third that 2013/14 season, losing just four games all season and amassing 108 goals, however unfortunately failed to gain promotion to the Premier Division behind Sun Postal Sports and Kings Langley:

 

[Winslow Boy]

What happened to sun postal?

[LondonEagle]

Bedford Town Manager Lee Bircham says he believes 2 successful clubs are good for the town:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cr5404qre1eo

Edited October 17 by LondonEagle

[Rhodes]

15 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

What happened to sun postal?

Hi Winslow Boy, how are you keeping, do you still play in Charity matches, time permitting. Sun Postal Sports hit hard times a few seasons back and never recovered however the Club, who were founded in 1901, thankfully didn't die and now play in the Hertfordshire Senior County League Division Two under the name 'Sun Sports Watford', still using the excellent Bellmountwood Avenue ground in Watford where I'm sure you have played at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Sports_Watford_F.C.

[Rhodes]

11 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

Bedford Town Manager Lee Bircham says he believes 2 successful clubs are good for the town:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cr5404qre1eo

LondonEagle - I think you will find that Lee is saying that through gritted teeth and he is not justified to give his opinion on the subject being born and bred in London. You can tell he is not serious by saying 'they're trying to get to the Premier League, we're trying to stay at the level we're at, we're happy being a non-league Club, Real Bedford obviously are not,', it's a little 'dig' in my opinion as Lee is clever at those. Having said that, and to be fair to him, the article is about Leon Lobjoit and our thoughts are still very much with Leon following his loss:

Neighbours Real Bedford, who are third in Southern League Division One Central, a level lower than Town, have very different ambitions, backed up by bitcoin millions, but Bircham believes two successful Club's is good for the area.

"They're trying to get to the Premier League, we're trying to stay at the level we're at. We're happy being a non-league club, Real Bedford obviously are not," Bircham added.

"Two different courses and there's room for two different teams in the town."

[LondonEagle]

11 hours ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - I think you will find that Lee is saying that through gritted teeth and he is not justified to give his opinion on the subject being born and bred in London. You can tell he is not serious by saying 'they're trying to get to the Premier League, we're trying to stay at the level we're at, we're happy being a non-league Club, Real Bedford obviously are not,', it's a little 'dig' in my opinion as Lee is clever at those. Having said that, and to be fair to him, the article is about Leon Lobjoit and our thoughts are still very much with Leon following his loss:

Neighbours Real Bedford, who are third in Southern League Division One Central, a level lower than Town, have very different ambitions, backed up by bitcoin millions, but Bircham believes two successful Club's is good for the area.

"They're trying to get to the Premier League, we're trying to stay at the level we're at. We're happy being a non-league club, Real Bedford obviously are not," Bircham added.

"Two different courses and there's room for two different teams in the town."

Peter and Lee Bircham have met and speak very highly of each other. You always try and stir things up for no reason. Thanks for the kind words re Leon

 

Edited Friday at 20:50 by LondonEagle

[Rhodes]

LondonEagle - I wouldn't trust Lee Bircham further than you can throw him, you will find that out when things start to go 'Pete Tong' for him at The Eyrie or if he has a disagreement or falling out, he was very fortunate to get promotion last season through the play-off's and it was 'criminal' how he treated Leighton Town, leaving the Club in the lurch and 'up the creek without a paddle'. Anyway, having said that, fair play to Bedford Town for being top of the table however out of the current top nine they have only met Stratford Town, Redditch United, Stamford and Banbury United so far and struggled in all of those games, losing tamely at Banbury United only last Tuesday.

[Winslow Boy]

On 18/10/2024 at 09:28, Rhodes said:

Hi Winslow Boy, how are you keeping, do you still play in Charity matches, time permitting. Sun Postal Sports hit hard times a few seasons back and never recovered however the Club, who were founded in 1901, thankfully didn't die and now play in the Hertfordshire Senior County League Division Two under the name 'Sun Sports Watford', still using the excellent Bellmountwood Avenue ground in Watford where I'm sure you have played at:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun_Sports_Watford_F.C.

Interesting. Yes all well, I maybe playing at Boston United in the summer, that’s the first one of next year so far anyway. I played against sun postal a few times, only beat them once or twice though. 

[Rhodes]

On 16/10/2024 at 16:40, Rhodes said:

A little premature but how do we see next Saturday's Southern League Division One Central fixture at Hertford Town's Hertingfordbury Park home going on a 3g surface

Still 0-0 I believe at Hertingfordbury Park this afternoon: