Bedford FC

[RallyInRaleigh]

What a wild and weird game. Both teams obviously felt the stress of the game and things were very chippy until the bubbled over with a red from the Berk keeper. Huge 3 points to bank. Both teams still control their destiny and we will see if the depth of Bedford can be the difference maker down the stretch of the season as it was over MK Irish. 

[Rhodes]

On 15/01/2025 at 13:58, RallyInRaleigh said:

What a wild and weird game. Both teams obviously felt the stress of the game and things were very chippy until the bubbled over with a red from the Berk keeper. Huge 3 points to bank. Both teams still control their destiny and we will see if the depth of Bedford can be the difference maker down the stretch of the season as it was over MK Irish. 

RallyInRaleigh - Yes, indeed, the result perhaps flattered Rob Sinclair's men with the three goals in stoppage time however it was never a penalty for Berkhamsted FC's goal. See highlights from the livestream, a match report, local press coverage and the match programme:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/five-second-half-goals-move-the-pirates-to-the-top-of-the-table-673fy

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-take-control-of-title-race-against-ten-man-berkhamsted/

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/619758344d16e93725c39d0a/t/6788d8fdf43b14009c76e3ef/1737021703946/%2362+v+Berkhamsted+-compressed.pdf

Edited Thursday at 16:23 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 13/01/2025 at 10:29, Rhodes said:

Phew, a very tricky FA Women's National League Division One South East fixture at Chatham Town Ladies yesterday afternoon safely negotiated with a 0-0 stalemate despite some good opportunities to get all three points

A match report from Real Bedford Ladies hard fought 0-0 draw at Championship rivals Chatham Town Ladies last Sunday (12 January):

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-remain-second-after-0-0-draw-with-chatham-town

Edited Friday at 12:04 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 22/12/2024 at 14:03, LondonEagle said:

Shame about yesterday's abandonment at McMulllen Park.
We tried to help next door by lighting up one corner of your pitch with our floodlights. 
LondonEagle - Yes, it was very disappointing especially with Real Bedford leading 2-0 at the time, thanks for your efforts at Bedford Town:

The match programme from the unfortunate abandoned Southern League Division One Central fixture at the Ledger Stadium, on Saturday 21 December, between Real Bedford and Aylesbury United, the re-arranged date is on Tuesday 25 February, kick off 7.45pm

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/619758344d16e93725c39d0a/t/6787c8523fcbe5737ad731b3/1736951898968/%2360+v+Aylesbury+United++_compressed.pdf

[Rhodes]

How do we see this affair going tomorrow at the Ledger Stadium against fellow promotees from last season Leverstock Green who, unlike Real Bedford, have unfortunately struggled at the higher Step 4 level and face a quick return to the Spartan South Midlands League unless results improve, the game will be livestreamed:

https://www.realbedford.com/real-bedford-v-leverstock-green2

https://www.realbedford.com/live-stream

[Rhodes]

On 13/01/2025 at 11:22, Rhodes said:

A good 3-1 win for Real Bedford on Saturday at Ware FC despite going a goal down early on, Joey Evans, Ty Ward and Ben Stevens scored the goals, see both Club's match reports and local press coverage:

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/ware/teams/72309/match-centre/1-15684217/report

https://www.realbedford.com/news/second-half-comeback-secures-important-three-points-on-the-road

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-one-point-off-the-top-after-ware-fightback-win/

Here we go folks, over 50 photographs from the 3-1 win at Ware FC last Saturday (11 January), courtesy of groundhopper and photographer 'Local Bus Driver':

[Rhodes]

Real Bedford Ladies are all dressed up to the nines with nowhere to go on Sunday (19 January) with no FA Women's National League Division One South East fixture allocated to them this weekend so boss Charlie Bill is seeking a friendly should any Club be interested. Meanwhile the FA Women's National League Division One South East table (below) is currently looking like a straight fight between Real Bedford Ladies and, last Sunday's opponents, Chatham Town Ladies for the Championship and promotion to 'the promised land' of the FA Women's National League Southern Premier Division:

Real Bedford Women - We are seeking a friendly match this Sunday and are happy to travel within a reasonable distance. If your Club is interested please get in touch.

FAWNL South East Division One 2024/25 

Pos	Team	Pl	W	D	L	F	A	GD	Pts
1	Chatham Town Women	13	8	4	1	24	8	16	28
2	Real Bedford Women	12	7	5	0	35	9	26	26
3	Actonians Ladies	14	7	4	3	27	16	11	25
4	Norwich City Women	13	6	4	3	32	14	18	22
5	London Bees	13	5	5	3	34	22	12	20
6	AFC Sudbury Women	11	5	5	1	20	17	3	20
7	Cambridge United WFC	13	6	1	6	24	17	7	19
8	QPR FC Women	12	5	4	3	17	15	2	19
9	Dulwich Hamlet Women	12	5	2	5	22	16	6	17
10	Chesham United Women	13	2	2	9	17	48	-31	8
11	London Seaward FC	15	1	1	13	9	41	-32	4
12	Ashford Town (Middlesex) Women	13	1	1	11	14	52	-38	4

Edited Friday at 16:10 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

What do we make of this folks, I had to check the calendar to see whether it was 1 April today:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/proposed-merger-between-real-bedford-fc-and-bedford-town-fc

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/breaking-news-bedford-town-and-real-bedford-in-merger-talks-to-transform-football-in-bedford/

The Directors of Real Bedford FC and Bedford Town FC are excited to announce that discussions are in progress regarding a historic merger that has the potential to transform football in Bedford.

Edited 12 hours ago by Rhodes

[RallyInRaleigh]

I'm gonna love seeing Town fans in the orange and black! 😆

Realistically, I don't know what to make of this. Obviously the dollars got big enough to move the Town ownership into an agreement like this. So many details to iron out to even know how to feel about this. Hopefully, it moves the city of Bedford and its football prospects ever forward. 

[Rhodes]

On 17/01/2025 at 09:20, Rhodes said:

How do we see this affair going tomorrow at the Ledger Stadium against fellow promotees from last season Leverstock Green who, unlike Real Bedford, have unfortunately struggled at the higher Step 4 level and face a quick return to the Spartan South Midlands League unless results improve, the game will be livestreamed:

https://www.realbedford.com/real-bedford-v-leverstock-green2

https://www.realbedford.com/live-stream

Let's get ready to rumble then, I wonder what the feeling, or 'vibe', will be at the Ledger Stadium this afternoon about the proposed merger of Real Bedford and Bedford Town:

Edited Saturday at 14:34 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

Completely devastated. Literally sunk into a deep depression since Friday because of this news. So many good people saying they are not going to go anymore and good staff announcing or fearing that they're going to lose their jobs.

This isn't a merger, it's a takeover by Real Bedford.        

 

Edited Sunday at 19:23 by LondonEagle

[Rhodes]

On 17/01/2025 at 09:20, Rhodes said:

How do we see this affair going tomorrow at the Ledger Stadium against fellow promotees from last season Leverstock Green who, unlike Real Bedford, have unfortunately struggled at the higher Step 4 level and face a quick return to the Spartan South Midlands League unless results improve, the game will be livestreamed

Well first things first, a fairly routine 3-1 win for Real Bedford on Saturday at the Ledger Stadium against fellow former SSML Club Leverstock Green, see a match report, local press coverage and highlights from the live stream:

https://levgreenfc.co.uk/event/250118f/

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/bedford-town-and-real-bedford-put-aside-merger-talks-to-win-in-southern-league/

[Rhodes]

On 19/01/2025 at 11:21, LondonEagle said:

Completely devastated. Literally sunk into a deep depression since Friday because of this news. So many good people saying they are not going to go anymore and good staff announcing or fearing that they're going to lose their jobs.
This isn't a merger, it's a takeover by Real Bedford.

LondonEagle - Isn't that a bit over dramatic, as the sensible statement below, from a social media post from one of Bedford Town's own loyal fans, suggests, and to quote Michael Winner, 'calm down dear', nothing has been agreed, finalised or even discussed at the Fans Open Forum as yet:

I’m not the biggest fan of Pete. But his vision portrays that he wants the town of Bedford to succeed and this merger looks set to do just that. So, while this is not the best outcome we all want, this can only be a good thing. There’s lots of knee-jerk reaction comments on social media, people losing their heads and saying nasty things but ultimately I think everyone needs to just calm down, be patient, attend the open forum, ask questions, take things one step at a time and then see what happens. Keep the faith and first and foremost DO NOT turn your back on JT, BB, Birchy, the team and the staff now, after what has been an incredible football season so far. 

Edited 12 hours ago by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

Proposal for a merger has already been submitted to the League and FA.

The only things uo for discussion at the fans forum are the name, colours,.nickname badge etc.  Not whether fans of either club want the merger or not.   

Edited 10 hours ago by LondonEagle

[Rhodes]

Well there has certainly been a lot of publicity so far on the proposed merger including on the BBC website and in yesterday's Non League Paper:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cg7z0ez95gro

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c20pp850zeqo

Edited 12 hours ago by Rhodes

[Cruz]

On 19/01/2025 at 07:21, LondonEagle said:

Completely devastated. Literally sunk into a deep depression since Friday because of this news. So many good people saying they are not going to go anymore and good staff announcing or fearing that they're going to lose their jobs.

This isn't a merger, it's a takeover by Real Bedford.        

 

As a Bedfordian who supported Bedford Town from 63/82 traveling to many  memorable FA Cup matches Newcastle, Exeter and the most memorable of all is when the Eagles charted a train to take there supporters to Brighton. I still have a soft spot for the Eagles but my first choice is Real Bedford remembering the days I attended Bedford United matches. Although I am now 7000 miles away I have to agree with London Eagle apart from the fact I am supporting Real Bedford, I have only previously missed one televised Real match both man and ladies.The match against Leverstock Green I choose not to watch as I found it to painful, I am sure a buzz was created round the town talking about the possible matches between both teams next season. I feel contacting the FA about merging of the two sides before fans have had their opinion is out of order. Sorry Mr McCormack you may provide the money these clubs are not your personal toys and many true supporters of both teams will be suffering heartache at the prospect of the demise of the Eagles or the Pirates.

 

[LondonEagle]

2 hours ago, Cruz said:

As a Bedfordian who supported Bedford Town from 63/82 traveling to many  memorable FA Cup matches Newcastle, Exeter and the most memorable of all is when the Eagles charted a train to take there supporters to Brighton. I still have a soft spot for the Eagles but my first choice is Real Bedford remembering the days I attended Bedford United matches. Although I am now 7000 miles away I have to agree with London Eagle apart from the fact I am supporting Real Bedford, I have only previously missed one televised Real match both man and ladies.The match against Leverstock Green I choose not to watch as I found it to painful, I am sure a buzz was created round the town talking about the possible matches between both teams next season. I feel contacting the FA about merging of the two sides before fans have had their opinion is out of order. Sorry Mr McCormack you may provide the money these clubs are not your personal toys and many true supporters of both teams will be suffering heartache at the prospect of the demise of the Eagles or the Pirates.

 

Yep, I agree. I notice the attendance at Real Bedford on Saturday was well down on recent weeks, about 190. I am sure it will be similar at Bedford Town, who if the merger goes ahead, now can't get promoted this season, despite being 3 points off top spot. I watched Bedford Town die once and if the name is lost again, I think it would be too painful for me to set foot in the New Eyrie again as it wouldn't be Bedford Town anymore.  Many others feel the same and i'm sure there probably would be a new Bedford Town club started at Allen Park if that happened.

Merging a club with 700 fans with one with 300 doesn't give you 1,000 fans as they won't all support it.    

Edited 5 hours ago by LondonEagle