Bedford FC

[Rhodes]

Here is a really interesting episode of the Podcast folks, Mr McCormack interviewing, wait for it, Crystal Palace Chairman Steve Parish with a lot of focus on football as opposed to business, Politics and Bitcoin etc:

Steve Parish is a British businessman and the Chairman of Crystal Palace Football Club, known for his role in revitalising the club and his outspoken views on football and business. In this interview, we discuss challenges of leading a Premier League club. From the impact of big data and AI in football to navigating financial pressures and planning for the club’s future. We also cover the hidden strategies behind the scenes of the Premier League and the balancing act required to maintain success in one of the world’s most competitive leagues. Steve Parish covers football analytics, the evolution of stadiums, player recruitment, and the economics of football clubs. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:01:39 - Data and Technology in Football 00:05:51 - Balancing Financial Viability 00:06:58 - Long-Term Vision for Crystal Palace 00:10:00 - Financial Fair Play 00:11:02 - Expansion Plans for Selhurst Park 00:21:51 - Financial Pressures in Football 00:32:19 - The Fan Base 00:34:30 - Women’s Football 00:42:06 - Football Governance 00:43:28 - The Premier League’s Operations 00:45:00 - VAR 00:55:36 - Team Dynamics 01:00:00 - Data and AI 01:05:00 - Owners as Custodians 01:08:22 - Challenges in South London 01:10:47 - Political and Economic Challenges 01:18:12 - Football Regulator’s Plans 01:34:05 - Non-League Clubs 01:37:21 - Bitcoin 01:54:50 - Crystal Palace’s Ambitions 01:56:02 - Ted Lasso.

Edited January 25 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

We are under way at Herns Way this afternoon, it is a shame there is no live stream however, with apologies for the late notification, there is live commentary available via the link below courtesy of 'Welwyn Hatfield Radio':

https://90minuteslivefootball.mixlr.com/events/3988281?fbclid=IwY2xjawIB3zJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHXaV3U0uH6m5X-lnlulgfLzP4gX0Zeb2mzOOh4I0ZCV_YiI3d7tO-Y-40A_aem_MDPqOib5l4Pl1lv6BtyAcw

Edited January 27 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwyeqg1yg3ko#:~:text=Bitcoin-funded club wants to be bigger than Luton&text=The co-owner of Real,and representative of both clubs."

[Rhodes]

A hard fought 3-1 win for Rob Sinclair's men on Saturday at Welwyn Garden City on a difficult playing surface, see both sides of the story and highlights courtesy of the hosts:

https://www.welwyngardencityfc.org.uk/Matchreport.aspx?id=738275

Late strikes secure All Three Points in 3-1 Win Over Welwyn Garden City | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

Edited January 28 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 25/01/2025 at 10:57, Rhodes said:

Real Bedford Ladies are back in FA Women's National League Division One South East action tomorrow (Sunday 26 January) afternoon at the Ledger Stadium against AFC Sudbury Ladies. Boss Charlie Bill will be looking for three points following last Sunday's 'sabbatical' however it will be no cake walk against the sixth in the table visitors who have only lost one League game this season on the first day of the campaign, having won five and drawn five of their following eleven FA Women's National League Division One South East fixtures and having played the least number of games in the Division due to cup ties and postponements. Disappointingly it does not appear that the fixture is being livestreamed however there is live commentary available via AFC Sudbury's 'On Air' channel, see link below.

What can you say about Real Bedford Ladies comprehensive 4-0 victory over AFC Sudbury Ladies yesterday afternoon at the Ledger Stadium and they now sit proudly at the summit of the FA Women's National League Division One South East with Championship rivals Chatham Town Ladies not involved in League action yesterday. Abbie Bensted scored a clinical brace along with goals from Leyla O'Brien and Amy McLean, see a match report and the match programme:

the Pirates go top of the table after dominant home win | Real Bedford FC | Running Bitcoin

#10 v AFC Sudbury

Edited January 28 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Ollie Bayliss's BBC Three Counties Radio Non League Show this evening (Monday 27 January), between 6.00 and 7.00 (British time), will include a feature on the surprise merger announcement between Real Bedford and Bedford Town and, what should be, a very interesting interview with Peter McCormack:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0khm14x

Edited January 27 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

It is a quick turnaround for Rob Sinclair's men who travel to rural Oxfordshire based, and rock bottom of the Southern League Division One Central table, North Leigh tomorrow (Tuesday 28 January) evening. There will however be a pitch inspection at Eynsham Park in the morning to confirm whether the fixture can go ahead, watch this space for confirmation: 

[RallyInRaleigh]

Well Real Bedford will be no more. Peter has said so publicly. Hopefully that encourages some of the Bedford Town faithful. Don't know if they will go with Bedford Town or something like Real Bedford Town (he mentioned both as options) but the Pirates in their current iteration will be no more post merger. 

[LondonEagle]

It's all getting quite exhausting to follow.

In 2021 we had Bedford Town and Bedford FC. Then Bedford FC became Real Bedford.

By Summer 2025 all three clubs and their original identities will have gone. 

[Cruz]

I fully understand the reasoning behind the proposed merger and in many ways it is fully justified, alas I am unable to support this merger not that it matters as I do not attend matches and live thousands of miles away and I should not have a say, long term I do not see this beneficial apart from Real Bedford obtaining a better ground.

[LondonEagle]

Yep it makes commercial and logical sense. No point me opposing it as it would happen anyway.

In an ideal world, I would prefer the 2 clubs to simply groundshare at The Eyrie.

I will be in floods of tears at the final whistle of the final game in May when Bedford Town FC, The Eagles, disappear for the 2nd time in my life. 

Edited January 29 by LondonEagle

[Rhodes]

On 27/01/2025 at 16:59, Rhodes said:

It is a quick turnaround for Rob Sinclair's men who travel to rural Oxfordshire based, and rock bottom of the Southern League Division One Central table, North Leigh tomorrow (Tuesday 28 January) evening. There will however be a pitch inspection at Eynsham Park in the morning to confirm whether the fixture can go ahead, watch this space for confirmation 

Unfortunately, and disappointingly, last night's fixture at North Leigh was postponed due to a waterlogged pitch at Eynsham Park. The next Southern League Division One Central fixture will be on Saturday (1 February) against Flackwell Heath at the Ledger Stadium which will be live streamed and for what is 'Gemini Sponsor Day, see information and ticket details below with a large attendance anticipated. There is a possibility of limited free tickets to the fixture (see link) courtesy of the Club's generous sponsors, however, failing that, the groundhopper special deal of £14 is as good as free isn't it with access to the Bitcoin meet up event at noon, rubbing shoulders with the great and good, match entry (normally £10), a match programme (normally £2.50), a Club enamel badge and a hot drink, in addition free pizza and some free Club merchandise will be available during the game: 

https://www.realbedford.com/news/gemini-sponsor-day-real-bedford-v-flackwell-heath-preview

https://km8pvbwfkan.typeform.com/to/i1wdBl2t?typeform-source=www.google.com

Edited January 29 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

13 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

It's all getting quite exhausting to follow.
In 2021 we had Bedford Town and Bedford FC. Then Bedford FC became Real Bedford.
By Summer 2025 all three clubs and their original identities will have gone.

LondonEagle - There is a lengthy thread on another Forum about the merger which I am unable to link on here however here are a handful of some of the posts. I thought maybe a bit more could have been said and clarified on Ollie Bayliss's BBC Three Counties Radio Non League Show on Monday evening, what did you think, Mr McCormack didn't seem to be his normal confident and bullish self when 'probed' by Ollie however nothing is really 'cut and dried' as yet despite you and others seeming to think that it is:

Even if this merger were to go ahead and the new club have loads of money from the bitcoin chap, the problem to me seems to be the location of the ground. It is so far out of Bedford town centre and it has nothing around it. It is adjacent to a layby. This is not going to encourage enough fans to attend to support a team at top end of non league football ( ie National League). It won't be popular with away fans because of distance from train station and lack of pubs etc around it. Think the geography of the ground(s) is a huge problem to the progression of either club or a merged club. There is already a lack of parking for existing crowds, so how would they cope with facilities for those travelling to a merged successful club.

Real Bedford aren't progressing without a suitable ground. Bedford Town were going along nicely but may have financial issues which see them entertain a merger. If they merge there's a chance they could emulate a Salford or Fleetwood and buy their way into the EFL (Dag and Red or Rushden and Diamonds examples of merged clubs that then rose the leagues and Solihull Moors more recently). Bedford Town's ground could be redeveloped into a League Two or League One suitable venue further down the line. Alternatively they could go the way of Hayes and Yeading and not really progress, or a plethora of clubs who do well for a bit and then go pop once the owner pulls his money.

As an ex Bedford Town fan and Bedford Avenue and Bedford United player now living away I have interest in local football. Bedford United (Real Bedford) could have side stepped the Eagles years ago. The council were obligated to find them a new round when moving them off a site for Sainsbury’s. Incredibly the board declined a local businessman offer in the 90’s to have a peppercorn rent on land nearer to the town with benefits for both parties, instead opting to settle next door to their rivals. Now we have this debacle.

McCormack also gave an interview a few months back where he called Bedford Town a 's.......e club.' Tbf the Directors probably were trying to screw him over on his ground lease at the time, but in a week or 2 he's now going to have to face the fans who heard that comment and explain how he is going to be their new Chairman, The rumour is that one of the BTFC investors is pulling out and asking for the money that he spent on the new 36 pitch in the Summer to be paid back to him, and the club don't have it so have caved in to the money-man next door finally.

I would say it’s incredibly important what the fans think. For example, if enough fans are annoyed, they could set up a fan-based club, which will have the opposite effect of bringing the town together under one banner.

[LondonEagle]

Tbh both clubs need the money. Real have got 7m in bank but building a new ground would soon burn through that 

Bedford Town spent about 1m on new facilities in Summer but probably needs the money to pay it back now. 

[LondonEagle]

Only thing that can stop it is if FA refuse it. 

Both clubs have already agreed it.

Edited January 29 by LondonEagle

[Rhodes]

Two very interesting previews from both Club's, and ticket information, on 'the big one' on Sunday (2 February) afternoon, Real Bedford Ladies against, third in the table, Norwich City Ladies at the Ledger Stadium. Norwich City Ladies were favourites to win, or rather walk, the FA Women's National League Division One South East at the start of this 2024/25 campaign, indeed they won their first four League fixtures by an aggregate of 16-2 however since then points have been dropped, largely due to three surprise defeats at home to Actonians Ladies and away at Queens Park Rangers Ladies and Cambridge United Ladies:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-v-norwich-match-preview

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

https://www.realbedford.com/real-bedford-women-v-norwich

Edited January 31 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 29/01/2025 at 15:44, LondonEagle said:

Only thing that can stop it is if FA refuse it. 
Both clubs have already agreed it.

LondonEagle - I guess all will be revealed next Wednesday evening at The Eyrie:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-fc-and-bedford-town-fc-fans-forum

https://www.pitchero.com/clubs/bedfordtownfootballclub/news/eagles--real-merger-fans-forum-2898243.html

Real Bedford FC and Bedford Town FC can confirm a fans forum will take place, as the clubs consider the option of a merger. The event will take place at Bedford Town FC on Wednesday 5th February, starting at 7pm.

Edited January 31 by Rhodes

[Cruz]

Regarding the input of a former Bedford United and Bedford Avenue player on another forum about Bedford United being offered an alternative site close to the town centre, the site offered by the council was basically yards from the Sainburys site. The Bedford United bar was forever being broken into and the committee felt the situation would not change on the site being offered by the council, United had hoped to move to the old gas works site in Queens Park too which the council would not entertain. I was on the BU committee at the time and no players were present at this committee meeting and after a long debate to appease both the council and Sainburys who were paying for floodlights and a small stand it was decided to move to what the committee felt was a better security option. I happened to be on the BU committee at the time.

[LondonEagle]

58 minutes ago, Cruz said:

Regarding the input of a former Bedford United and Bedford Avenue player on another forum about Bedford United being offered an alternative site close to the town centre, the site offered by the council was basically yards from the Sainburys site. The Bedford United bar was forever being broken into and the committee felt the situation would not change on the site being offered by the council, United had hoped to move to the old gas works site in Queens Park too which the council would not entertain. I was on the BU committee at the time and no players were present at this committee meeting and after a long debate to appease both the council and Sainburys who were paying for floodlights and a small stand it was decided to move to what the committee felt was a better security option. I happened to be on the BU committee at the time.

From what I can recall as well, Bedford Town were throwing a lot of money around at the time to progress up the leagues.

Simply having a ground closer to town wouldn't have meant The Printers becoming a bigger club than The Eagles.   

[Winslow Boy]

Whatever happens they need to drop the cringe inducing ‘Real’ prefix. Toe curlingly cringey. There’s so much about all of this I don’t like, money talks though and I would guess that if a Bedford club is winning and progressing because of substantial backing then people will go and watch I’m sure and no doubt they will push the streaming and get plenty of ‘viewers’. I thought Hashtag would last five minutes and I was wrong.