Bedford FC

[RallyInRaleigh]

42 minutes ago, LondonEagle said:

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.  

Yeah considering the global nature of Real Bedford's fanbase, I'd have expected a stream. Hoping it comes together but there has been no response to the many who have asked for it on X. Would be fun just to be a fly on the wall as I expect it'll be tense. 

[LondonEagle]

The deadline for merger applicaruins for next season was 31.December 2024.

The merger application went iin weeks ago. I doubt the forum will be anything other than a PR exercise. 

What happens will be down to the money-men, the lawyers and the FA.

 

 

 

 

[Rhodes]

On 04/02/2025 at 11:39, Rhodes said:

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

A very disappointing 2-0 defeat at Creasey Park last night when the prestigious Bedfordshire FA Senior Challenge Cup was very much there for the winning this season. Boss Rob Sinclair changed the team quite dramatically and you have to wonder whether that may have had a bearing on the result as well as taking into account the 1-0 Southern League Division One Central win over AFC Dunstable at the same venue just over a month ago, on Boxing Day. Anyway, onwards and upwards, and it's a visit to rural Oxfordshire to take on struggling Kidlington FC on Saturday (8 February):

https://www.realbedford.com/news/afc-dunstable-end-real-bedfords-cup-run-with-2-0-semi-final-defeat

Edited February 7 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 03/02/2025 at 16:23, Rhodes said:

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:

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

Over 200 photographs from Real Bedford Ladies FA Women's National League Division One South East clash with Norwich City Ladies at The Eyrie last Sunday afternoon, courtesy of Norwich City Ladies press photographer Richard Brown:

Edited February 5 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

[LondonEagle]

Sounds like a positive meeting, but the impasse from some of BTFC's most loyal fans is still over the name.

I imagine virtually nobody would walk away if Real was dropped from the name, but am speaking to quite a few who will walk away if it is called Real Bedford Town, which is basically a ludicrous name for an English football club, but it sounds like there's very little, if any, room for negotiation over the name.      

[Winslow Boy]

Badge design is cool, got to say I thinks that’s great. The ‘Real’ prefix is as you say ludicrous. I assume he doesn’t know that it means royal and it was bestowed upon the clubs that bare it by royalty. It’s like a 9 year creating a club on fifa and thinking it’s a cool name.

Edited February 6 by Winslow Boy

[LondonEagle]

51 minutes ago, Winslow Boy said:

Badge design is cool, got to say I thinks that’s great. The ‘Real’ prefix is as you say ludicrous. I assume he doesn’t know that it means royal and it was bestowed upon the clubs that bare it by royalty. It’s like a 9 year creating a club on fifa and thinking it’s a cool name.

He knows that, he just thinks it is a cool name. Real Bedford is one thing, but Real Bedford Town?!   Other than that he seems to have got a lot of sceptical fans onside, which is good, but the name is a real no-no for many.   

[RallyInRaleigh]

He 100% knows what Real means. I'm not married to it and I'm not sure he is either. However, he said Real and Inter were both considered as parts of the name at the launch for for the laughs. For better or worse, Real Bedford has a legitimate brand. Is it worth changing history for? I'm not sure. But I don't believe all Bedford Town fans are going to be along for the ride even if he caved one everything. The long term mission he's going for of bringing a football league club to Bedford and building up the womens and youth infrastructure around it will carry on regardless of name. 

[LondonEagle]

6 minutes ago, RallyInRaleigh said:

He 100% knows what Real means. I'm not married to it and I'm not sure he is either. However, he said Real and Inter were both considered as parts of the name at the launch for for the laughs. For better or worse, Real Bedford has a legitimate brand. Is it worth changing history for? I'm not sure. But I don't believe all Bedford Town fans are going to be along for the ride even if he caved one everything. The long term mission he's going for of bringing a football league club to Bedford and building up the womens and youth infrastructure around it will carry on regardless of name. 

I agree but a friend is literally Bedford Town's biggest fan. The club is his life and always has been. He is serious and says he will never go again if the name is not Bedford Town. Is it worth screwing him over for a name that hasn't even been in use for 3 years yet? And he is happy for them to be called The Pirates or whatever Pete wants if he just keeps the club name. 

 

 

Edited February 6 by LondonEagle

[Winslow Boy]

Bet you dollars to doughnuts he doesn’t know the clubs that bare that name had it bestowed on them by royalty is what I meant. His bitcoin followers will buy whatever he’s selling, he loses nothing losing that part of the name. History is vitally important in football and all too often it is thrown by the wayside. No doubt with a big social media presence he will feel that he can reach new young fans of old ones walk away, a shame because he could have both and that could make for something special. I would imagine he will satisfy his own ego first and foremost, he seems very sensitive to any sort of criticism from what I’ve seen online. I mean good luck to him, his hometown, he wants to do something with local football, like I guess most of us would put money in to ours. 

Edited February 6 by Winslow Boy

[LondonEagle]

2 hours ago, Winslow Boy said:

Bet you dollars to doughnuts he doesn’t know the clubs that bare that name had it bestowed on them by royalty is what I meant. His bitcoin followers will buy whatever he’s selling, he loses nothing losing that part of the name. History is vitally important in football and all too often it is thrown by the wayside. No doubt with a big social media presence he will feel that he can reach new young fans of old ones walk away, a shame because he could have both and that could make for something special. I would imagine he will satisfy his own ego first and foremost, he seems very sensitive to any sort of criticism from what I’ve seen online. I mean good luck to him, his hometown, he wants to do something with local football, like I guess most of us would put money in to ours. 

I don't see whst Real adds to it.

He can have the Bitcoin branding, 700 Bedford Town fans, an orange home shirt, call.it The Pirates, whatever badge he wants, Bitcoin meetings before games, our magnificent 3G pitch and 3,000 capacity National League Stadium, keep the Step 6 to Premier League story and in returni all we are asking is please don't call it Real Bedford Town?

 

 

[Rhodes]

20 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

Sounds like a positive meeting, but the impasse from some of BTFC's most loyal fans is still over the name.

I imagine virtually nobody would walk away if Real was dropped from the name, but am speaking to quite a few who will walk away if it is called Real Bedford Town, which is basically a ludicrous name for an English football club, but it sounds like there's very little, if any, room for negotiation over the name.      

LondonEagle - Yes, it sounds like it all passed off peacefully and amicably anyway unlike some Fans Forums that have been known to end up in a punch up with 'the boys in blue' being called, here is some local press coverage:

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-co-owner-floats-ideas-for-the-future-at-merger-fans-forum/

Edited February 7 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

24 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - Yes, it sounds like it all passed off peacefully and amicably anyway unlike some Fans Forums that have been known to end up in a punch up with 'the boys in blue' being called, here is some local press coverage:

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-co-owner-floats-ideas-for-the-future-at-merger-fans-forum/

I think most accept that Bedford Town can't compete with the sort of money Real have. But in return they do need the local fanbase,

I read a comment somewhere from a US Real Bedford fan saying Bedford Town have a 'dwindling fanbase." or crowds, simply not true, average attendance this season is higjhest since reforming in 1991, at over 700, and that's with the first 2 home games being played some distance from Bedford.

 

[Rhodes]

There hopefully shouldn't be any slip up's for Rob Sinclair's men at lowly Kidlington FC tomorrow afternoon following the draw with Flackwell Heath at the Ledger Stadium last Saturday and disappointing Bedfordshire FA Senior Challenge Cup Semi Final exit at Creasey Park on Tuesday:

[Rhodes]

Real Bedford Ladies travel to Ashford Town (Middlesex) Ladies on Sunday (9 February), it's clearly a winnable fixture against the struggling hosts who the Ladies beat 3-0 at the Ledger Stadium on the opening day of the FA Women's National League Division One South East campaign with goals from Abbie Bensted, Trisha Gould and Milly Hayes. Top of the table Chatham Town Ladies have a difficult looking visit to Norwich City Ladies so Real Bedford Ladies should hopefully resume their rightful place at the top of the FA Women's National League Division One South East table on Sunday evening:

[Rhodes]

On 05/02/2025 at 09:32, Rhodes said:

Over 200 photographs from Real Bedford Ladies FA Women's National League Division One South East clash with Norwich City Ladies at The Eyrie last Sunday afternoon, courtesy of Norwich City Ladies press photographer Richard Brown

Over 230 photographs from Real Bedford Ladies reverse fixture with Norwich City Ladies and a 0-0 draw, at The Nest on Sunday 6 October, which I don't believe were posted at the time, again courtesy of Norwich City Ladies press photographer Richard Brown:

Edited February 7 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 05/02/2025 at 09:32, Rhodes said:

A very disappointing 2-0 defeat at Creasey Park last night when the prestigious Bedfordshire FA Senior Challenge Cup was very much there for the winning this season. Boss Rob Sinclair changed the team quite dramatically and you have to wonder whether that may have had a bearing on the result as well as taking into account the 1-0 Southern League Division One Central win over AFC Dunstable at the same venue just over a month ago, on Boxing Day. Anyway, onwards and upwards, and it's a visit to rural Oxfordshire to take on struggling Kidlington FC on Saturday (8 February):

https://www.realbedford.com/news/afc-dunstable-end-real-bedfords-cup-run-with-2-0-semi-final-defeat

Brief highlights from Creasey Park last Tuesday evening:

[Rhodes]

Here's an interesting recent Podcast from Mr McCormack folks and football related, former Southampton Chairman Rupert Lowe who is now a Reform UK MP for Great Yarmouth:

Rupert Lowe is a businessman, the former Southampton FC Chairman, and a Reform Party MP, known for his outspoken views on Politics, free markets, and the need for radical change in the UK government. In this episode, we discuss the corruption and incompetence plaguing Westminster, the consequences of mass migration, crippling taxation, and the failures of weak leadership. Rupert also discusses the reality of Britain’s uniparty system and the broken machinery of government that is failing its citizens. With the Reform Party surging in the polls, he explains why this could be the country’s final chance to reclaim its future. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:41 - UK Politics is Broken 00:02:22 - Football & Politics Parallels 00:06:53 - Government Meddling in Football 00:10:36 - Has Government Improved Anything? 00:12:27 - Free Speech 00:15:52 - Small Business is Under Attack 00:19:06 - Why Wealth Creators Are Leaving 00:20:59 - Demonising Success in Britain 00:24:58 - Why Young People Support Reform 00:29:37 - The Civil Service is Too Powerful 00:32:12 - Reform Party’s Media Strategy 00:36:49 - Reform's Overton Window Has Shifted 00:38:12 - Will Reform Party Win? 00:40:47 - Media Control Over Politics 00:45:01 - Reform’s First 100 Days Plan 00:49:33 - How Parliament Silences Debate 00:51:15 - Role of Government & Citizens 00:55:06 - Private Sector vs Public Sector 00:57:07 - Fixing the Planning System 01:02:24 - Trump, Leadership & Fear 01:04:03 - Argentina & Socialism’s Failure 01:07:46 - Sound Money & Bitcoin 01:14:08 - Immigration & Border Control 01:17:56 - Mass Deportation Debate 01:24:11 - Legal Migration Crisis 01:28:05 - Does Rupert Lowe Miss Football? 01:30:17 - Final Thoughts.

[Rhodes]

Let's get ready to rumble then, see Kidlington FC's graphic for this afternoon, unfortunately there is no live stream or any local radio commentary: