Bedford FC

[LondonEagle]

48 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

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. 

Some of Bedford Town's most diehard fans have stated publicly that if the name is not Bedford Town then they're out. 

If that happens then the crowds would be unlikely to be any larger than they are now at the Eyrie, 700 plus 300 won't equal 1,000 as I know some who watch both teams at home. I imagine some Real Bedford fans who don't support BTFC will be out as well. Some new fans will probably be in. 

Pete has said it definitely won't be called Real Bedford, but it could be called Real Bedford Town, Bedford Town or something else.    

Edited January 31 by LondonEagle

[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 - With all due respect I really think that you, and others, are doing a Linford Christie in Atlanta in 1996 and jumping the gun, can you really see this happening despite you stating that it's a done deal. A hundred and one things could 'scupper' the coming together of the two Club's and there would be so many i's to dot and t's to cross ahead of next season. The 'blazers' at the FA are going to look at it long and hard and you know what they are like, Robert Maxwell's Thames Valley Royals spring to mind back in 1983 and we know what happened there, there are some similarities (see link below). Also see a couple of new recent posts on the other Forum, the 'Ker-ching' one is interesting 😉:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thames_Valley_Royals_proposal

A lack of nearby pubs is actually an advantage for clubs - it means fans have to use bars in the ground. Ker-ching!

There is very limited public transport to the Eyrie. So even bars at ground will not do great as one parson always need to drive, it's a schlep in a taxi. The turning into the ground would also be dangerous with big crowds, and there's nowhere enough parking for cars and coaches even with the 2 sites combined. All this will do is solve PM's problem that he doesn't have a suitable ground for playing at a much higher level for about another 3 years maybe and then he will have to come up with his next fix.

Not sure how merging a traditional club with one with such a new identity, reliant on Bitcoin and basically calling themselves anarchists would work? The Chairman is always swearing at rival fans on twitter, none of it represents anything remotely related to the traditional ethos of Bedford Town at all.

Edited January 31 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

I would be surprised if they get it over the line before March 31, indeed Rhodes, which I believe is the deadline for next season.

Seem to recall when PM bought Bedford FC that deal dragged on for months, and in theory that was a simpler transaction than merging 2 clubs.

Buying a house takes 3 months or more and that is simpler than merging 2 football clubs.  

[Rhodes]

Check this out folks, a new line of merchandise has just arrived at the Club, no doubt they are going to fly off the shelves, particularly at the Ledger Stadium tomorrow and Sunday afternoon at the Men's and Ladies fixtures, so be sure to be quick off the mark to order:

Edited February 7 by Rhodes

[Winslow Boy]

4 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

Some of Bedford Town's most diehard fans have stated publicly that if the name is not Bedford Town then they're out. 

If that happens then the crowds would be unlikely to be any larger than they are now at the Eyrie, 700 plus 300 won't equal 1,000 as I know some who watch both teams at home. I imagine some Real Bedford fans who don't support BTFC will be out as well. Some new fans will probably be in. 

Pete has said it definitely won't be called Real Bedford, but it could be called Real Bedford Town, Bedford Town or something else.    

I agree with the BTFC fans fyi. I would keep Bedford Town, it has the history and then perhaps change it from Eagles to Pirates, merchandising they both work but Bedford Town FC ‘The Pirates’ might be a compromise that works for all. I’d keep the blue and then have whatever colour as a second kit. Bedford like Aylesbury is big enough to support a league side actually. BTFC ought to have some safety clause that if he decides to jack it in or bitcoin tanks that the club is safe, or a buy back clause at a reasonable or agreed upon price now. Also protect the ground to be sold for housing etc unless there is another ground provided. So many great non league clubs have gone over the years. 

[Winslow Boy]

1 hour ago, LondonEagle said:

I would be surprised if they get it over the line before March 31, indeed Rhodes, which I believe is the deadline for next season.

Seem to recall when PM bought Bedford FC that deal dragged on for months, and in theory that was a simpler transaction than merging 2 clubs.

Buying a house takes 3 months or more and that is simpler than merging 2 football clubs.  

What did he actually buy and who from? 

[LondonEagle]

5 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

What did he actually buy and who from? 

Bedford FC - he bought them from Lui La Mura, the Bedford FC owner, then changed club name to Real Bedford.   Both clubs grounds are rented from Council.

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/peter-mccormack-becomes-chairman-as-he-completes-bedford-fc-takeover/

[Winslow Boy]

I still don’t really get it. If I wanted to buy Winslow for instance, it’s not owned by anyone, the ground is council owned. So there would be nothing to buy. I could takeover as chairman and create a new club that I own the name of I guess. The Bedford he took over was just one of many incarnations that club had been over the years, so I really don’t understand who owned anything to sell. Does that make sense. Most clubs at step 6 as it was are just run by volunteers right? I mean it’s a moot point really but I always thought it was weird. 

[LondonEagle]

1 hour ago, Winslow Boy said:

I still don’t really get it. If I wanted to buy Winslow for instance, it’s not owned by anyone, the ground is council owned. So there would be nothing to buy. I could takeover as chairman and create a new club that I own the name of I guess. The Bedford he took over was just one of many incarnations that club had been over the years, so I really don’t understand who owned anything to sell. Does that make sense. Most clubs at step 6 as it was are just run by volunteers right? I mean it’s a moot point really but I always thought it was weird. 

I know what you mean but there was a company or legal entity called Bedford FC at Step 6.  Bedford Town at Step 3 probably a much larger company.  

[Rhodes]

There was a cautionary pitch inspection at the Ledger Stadium earlier this morning however fortunately the inspecting Official wasn't a 'jobsworth', as is very often the case with inspections, and the Southern League Division One Central fixture with third in the table Flackwell Heath goes ahead, it clearly won't be a cakewalk for Rob Sinclair's men. See the on-line version of the 28 page match programme, sadly the Gemini Sponsor Day has had to be 'put on ice' for now due to the earlier un-certaintly of the fixture going ahead:

Due to weather and risk of our game being off, we have had to postpone our Gemini Sponsor Day. We will honour any refunds for people who no longer want to attend.

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/619758344d16e93725c39d0a/t/679dfd43072b9e665e0a4972/1738407254272/%2364+v+Flackwell+Heath+-compressed.pdf

[Winslow Boy]

13 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

I know what you mean but there was a company or legal entity called Bedford FC at Step 6.  Bedford Town at Step 3 probably a much larger company.  

I hope everyone involved with both clubs ends up with something that they all can get behind and that the future is secure and the history is protected. 

[Rhodes]

On 29/01/2025 at 16:00, Rhodes said:

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

A change of venue for tomorrow's FA Women's National League Division One South East fixture between Real Bedford Ladies and Norwich City Ladies due to the likely state of the Ledger Stadium pitch following this afternoon's Men's fixture, it will now be played at The Eyrie with a 4.30pm kick off:

Our game this Sunday against Norwich will now be played next door at The Eyrie, home of Bedford Town, with a new kick-off time of 4:30pm.

[LondonEagle]

43 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

A change of venue for tomorrow's FA Women's National League Division One South East fixture between Real Bedford Ladies and Norwich City Ladies due to the likely state of the Ledger Stadium pitch following this afternoon's Men's fixture, it will now be played at The Eyrie with a 4.30pm kick off:

Our game this Sunday against Norwich will now be played next door at The Eyrie, home of Bedford Town, with a new kick-off time of 4:30pm.

The neighbours are moving in already lol!

Should be a good game. Genuinely impressive that Real Bedford are competing with a big name in football like Norwich City.

 

 

 

[Rhodes]

Extended highlights from the livestream of Saturday's amazing 5-5 draw at the Ledger Stadium between Real Bedford and Flackwell Heath, also see a match report and local press coverage:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-defy-odds-with-ten-men-in-5-5-thriller

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-fight-back-to-extraordinary-5-5-draw-against-flackwell-heath/

Edited February 3 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 01/02/2025 at 13:10, Rhodes said:

A change of venue for tomorrow's FA Women's National League Division One South East fixture between Real Bedford Ladies and Norwich City Ladies due to the likely state of the Ledger Stadium pitch following this afternoon's Men's fixture, it will now be played at The Eyrie with a 4.30pm kick off:

Our game this Sunday against Norwich will now be played next door at The Eyrie, home of Bedford Town, with a new kick-off time of 4:30pm.

A hard fought 1-1 draw for Real Bedford Ladies yesterday afternoon at The Eyrie whereby they trailed after half an hour and at the interval however, who else, Abbie Bensted equalised on the 75 minute mark in clinical style, receiving a pinpoint pass from Breon Grant before lashing a fearsome shot into the net giving the hapless Norwich City Ladies, and former Arsenal and Chelsea Ladies, custodian Sarah Quantrill no chance whatsoever. The Ladies could well have won the top of the FA Women's National League Division One South East table clash with boss Charlie Bill introducing Milly Hayes and Amy McLean from the bench following the equalising goal however the very well marshalled Norwich City Ladies defence held firm, see both Club's match reports and highlights from the action:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/bensted-brilliance-secures-important-home-point-for-the-pirates

https://www.canaries.co.uk/content/womens-report-real-bedford-1-1-norwich-city

Edited February 10 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

Also see over 70 photographs from Saturday's extraordinary 5-5 draw at the Ledger Stadium between Real Bedford and Flackwell Heath, courtesy of excellent Flackwell Heath resident photographer Glenn Alcock:

Edited February 3 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

A fitting tribute to Real Bedford supremo Rob Sinclair who has stayed loyal to Mr McCormack and the Club despite his capability to Manage at a far superior level. I see Rob has a Wikipedia page that includes his 100 senior appearances as a player for Forest Green Rovers between 2014 and 2017 under high profile British green energy industrialist Chairman Dale Vince OBE, and helping the rural Gloucestershire Club, of then just over 5000 inhabitants in Nailsworth, to their incredible promotion to the Football League in 2016/17, the smallest settlement ever to host an English Football League (EFL) team:

Hands down Rob Sinclair is the best manager in non league football bar non his people skills football knowledge and General personality as a person is second to none any club in English football would be proud to call him there boss all of us at Real Bedford are so lucky to have him long may he reign.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Sinclair_(footballer,_born_1989)

Edited February 3 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 02/01/2025 at 13:28, Rhodes said:

Confirmation that Real Bedford will travel to Creasey Park on Tuesday 4 February for the eagerly awaited Bedfordshire FA Senior Cup Semi Final tie with AFC Dunstable. Crawley Green host Biggleswade FC next Tuesday (7 January) in their delayed Quarter Final tie for the right to play Barton Rovers in the other Semi Final so the prestige trophy is certainly there for the winning for Rob Sinclair's men having already beaten all the remaining sides this season and Crawley Green twice last season in the SSML

There's no let up for Rob Sinclair's men who travel the short distance to Creasey Park this evening to take on fellow Southern League Division One Central Club AFC Dunstable in the Semi Final of the prestigious Bedfordshire FA Senior Challenge Cup, one step away from a Final at Kenilworth Road against Crawley Green or Barton Rovers who also meet this evening at The Brache:

Edited February 4 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 29/01/2025 at 16:13, Rhodes said:

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.

LondonEagle - How do you see the Fans Forum going at The Eyrie tomorrow evening, will you be attending. What surprised me was that Lee Bircham was all in favour of the merger going ahead, surely if it does he will be out of a job as Rob Sinclair would become the merged Club's Manager:

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/the-owners-have-done-the-right-thing-says-bedford-town-manager-as-fans-react-to-potential-merger/

[LondonEagle]

1 hour ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - How do you see the Fans Forum going at The Eyrie tomorrow evening, will you be attending. What surprised me was that Lee Bircham was all in favour of the merger going ahead, surely if it does he will be out of a job as Rob Sinclair would become the merged Club's Manager:

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/the-owners-have-done-the-right-thing-says-bedford-town-manager-as-fans-react-to-potential-merger/

I think he knows he will be in a job next season even if it's basically at another club. Remarkable what he has achieved on a tiny budget.

I hope PM gets a fair hearing.  Won't be attending tomorrow, too much of a trek after work on a weekday, still hoping a stream may be decided upon.