Bedford FC

[Rhodes]

Yes. no difficulties at all for Rob Sinclair's men on Saturday at The Eyrie and a 4-0 victory over Biggleswade FC with goals from Joey Evans, Ben Stevens, Josh Setchell and Tom Hitchcock, see highlights from the live stream, match reports, local press coverage and high quality photographs, courtesy of Guy Will Sports Photography:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/stevens-scores-half-way-line-screamer-in-dominant-away-win

https://www.biggleswadefc.co.uk/Matchreport.aspx?id=737295

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/real-bedford-maintain-eighth-tier-league-lead-with-comfortable-win/

https://guywillssportsphotography.smugmug.com/Football/Biggleswade-FC-folder/2024-2025-Season/Vs-Real-Bedford-22-Feb-2025

Edited February 25 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

On 21/02/2025 at 16:21, LondonEagle said:

About 8 weeks left until Bedford Town disappear for good.      

LondonEagle - You are always so dramatic, I am probably wrong but still have a feeling, or inkling, that something might still happen to scupper the merger which, I fully agree with you, that the majority of fans aren't in favour of, particularly those of Bedford Town. Anyway here are some more recent comments from another Forum:

Unpaywalled version of this afternoon's Times' "Billionaire Winklevoss twins buy stake in Real Bedford football club" story: https://archive.is/JiMu7

This investment announcement is a bit weird. It's exactly the same announcement as was made last April. But the investment has only happened now, right in the middle of merger discussions, and now the same announcement has been announced again, except this time it's in dollars and not in Bitcoin. It doesn't take nearly 11 months to buy some shares in an 8th-tier football club.

I think yesterday was about ratifying the deal and signing the papers, why it has taken almost a year to do that I don't know but Real Bedford have just shot to the top end of the 'richest owners in English football' list, whether they invest their vast fortune regularly is to be seen. I would say one of the reasons for the takeover, sorry merger, of Bedford Town that was coming from Real Bedford was that it would be too costly to redevelop their current stadium, well they've just got the investment to redevelop so I hope Bedford Town are now asking why they think they need the stadium.

It was announced last April that the deal was done and the twins were part-owners. So that wasn't true, so what can you trust about any of it? Last April Bedford Town were also struggling on the pitch and with issues relating to their pitch itself. Bingo, Real announce huge investment. Town feel pressure to go up to stay ahead on the pitch. Go for broke to get promotion. Splash out in Summer on a 3g pitch to try and generate extra income. All the time RB did not have the money in the bank as everyone believed. Now right in the middle of merger talks the money suddenly appears.

A lot of people criticise the Real Bedford owner but I think they are missing the point of his approach, as we have seen a lot since Donald Trump's first term - these days outspoken people, people who make outrageous comments, even people who tell blatant lies - are an attractive proposition, we have seen other Politicians adopt the same style and also attract more voters etc. Real Bedford will get lots of free publicity with an outspoken owner and when things are not going to plan they will appear to be the hard done by club and one man will be fighting the good fight to pull them through - which will again earn more fans. The people out there who attracted to this kind of person are actually willing to donate their money to such causes because they are made to feel like they are helping, So in my opinion, Real Bedford will be well financed for a good few years. I like seeing new ideas and seeing how they pan out, so yes I'm glad this person has not purchased my team but I'm looking forward to how it all plays out. If in 5 years it has gone sour, at the end of the day if there is any aspect other clubs can learn from it which is beneficial, perhaps fundraising methods or marketing strategies - then that would be a win for the game itself.

If I was a Bedford Town fan I'd just be hoping that the club decides to strip the budget back and live within it's means. Forget promotion, forget even where they finish in the table. Forget the "merger". They'll be overtaken by Real Bedford, that's a given, especially if this new £3.5M investment is fully pumped into the football Club immediately. I'd hope the people in charge of Bedford Town say to the Real people, you have the money you need to develop your ground, so the deal is off. Sure they may well be a step 4 club in a couple of seasons but if they can keep up the 4 figure gates that alone should give them a budget to be competitive at step 3 in the future.

Regards the takeover, sorry merger, it's not looking particularly good from the outside, it looks like a power play to get Real Bedford a ground he doesn't need to spend his own money on and the possibility that they take Bedford Towns league position, which could well be step 2 come the end of the season. His approach as a business model, I don't disagree with you and prior to this blatant power grab I actually quite liked what was going on at Real Bedford but he seems to have got bored already with his club chugging along with a budget that should see them get to step 2 of their own accord. They've managed to alienate a large part of the football going public of Bedford already so hopefully they'll all be willing to part with a considerable amount of their fortunes if they want to finance Real Bedford into the football league. The only bonus for them is if they need some plastic fans to fill out the stadium a bit on matchdays they don't have to travel too far with Milton Keynes up the road.

Just because someone with money comes along and has a few ideas - people should not just jump into bed with it - this happens to much, not just in football but in daily and it often ends in tears. Caution is needed. That said, after Bedford Town got relegated down to the Southern League Division One Central in 2013/14, they spent 6 years hovering between mid table and the play-offs, then in 2020 suddenly started to spend a lot of money, Rene Howe and Craig Mackail-Smith were among the big names signed. So with that not being too long ago, it's likely that there are some people still at the Club who were involved in that ambitious spell would jump at the chance of more success with a merger. If they can stay top of the league a little longer it may also be beneficial during negotiations.

[LondonEagle]

15 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

LondonEagle - You are always so dramatic, I am probably wrong but still have a feeling, or inkling, that something might still happen to scupper the merger which, I fully agree with you, that the majority of fans aren't in favour of, particularly those of Bedford Town. Anyway here are some more recent comments from another Forum:

Unpaywalled version of this afternoon's Times' "Billionaire Winklevoss twins buy stake in Real Bedford football club" story: https://archive.is/JiMu7

This investment announcement is a bit weird. It's exactly the same announcement as was made last April. But the investment has only happened now, right in the middle of merger discussions, and now the same announcement has been announced again, except this time it's in dollars and not in Bitcoin. It doesn't take nearly 11 months to buy some shares in an 8th-tier football club.

I think yesterday was about ratifying the deal and signing the papers, why it has taken almost a year to do that I don't know but Real Bedford have just shot to the top end of the 'richest owners in English football' list, whether they invest their vast fortune regularly is to be seen. I would say one of the reasons for the takeover, sorry merger, of Bedford Town that was coming from Real Bedford was that it would be too costly to redevelop their current stadium, well they've just got the investment to redevelop so I hope Bedford Town are now asking why they think they need the stadium.

It was announced last April that the deal was done and the twins were part-owners. So that wasn't true, so what can you trust about any of it? Last April Bedford Town were also struggling on the pitch and with issues relating to their pitch itself. Bingo, Real announce huge investment. Town feel pressure to go up to stay ahead on the pitch. Go for broke to get promotion. Splash out in Summer on a 3g pitch to try and generate extra income. All the time RB did not have the money in the bank as everyone believed. Now right in the middle of merger talks the money suddenly appears.

A lot of people criticise the Real Bedford owner but I think they are missing the point of his approach, as we have seen a lot since Donald Trump's first term - these days outspoken people, people who make outrageous comments, even people who tell blatant lies - are an attractive proposition, we have seen other Politicians adopt the same style and also attract more voters etc. Real Bedford will get lots of free publicity with an outspoken owner and when things are not going to plan they will appear to be the hard done by club and one man will be fighting the good fight to pull them through - which will again earn more fans. The people out there who attracted to this kind of person are actually willing to donate their money to such causes because they are made to feel like they are helping, So in my opinion, Real Bedford will be well financed for a good few years. I like seeing new ideas and seeing how they pan out, so yes I'm glad this person has not purchased my team but I'm looking forward to how it all plays out. If in 5 years it has gone sour, at the end of the day if there is any aspect other clubs can learn from it which is beneficial, perhaps fundraising methods or marketing strategies - then that would be a win for the game itself.

If I was a Bedford Town fan I'd just be hoping that the club decides to strip the budget back and live within it's means. Forget promotion, forget even where they finish in the table. Forget the "merger". They'll be overtaken by Real Bedford, that's a given, especially if this new £3.5M investment is fully pumped into the football Club immediately. I'd hope the people in charge of Bedford Town say to the Real people, you have the money you need to develop your ground, so the deal is off. Sure they may well be a step 4 club in a couple of seasons but if they can keep up the 4 figure gates that alone should give them a budget to be competitive at step 3 in the future.

Regards the takeover, sorry merger, it's not looking particularly good from the outside, it looks like a power play to get Real Bedford a ground he doesn't need to spend his own money on and the possibility that they take Bedford Towns league position, which could well be step 2 come the end of the season. His approach as a business model, I don't disagree with you and prior to this blatant power grab I actually quite liked what was going on at Real Bedford but he seems to have got bored already with his club chugging along with a budget that should see them get to step 2 of their own accord. They've managed to alienate a large part of the football going public of Bedford already so hopefully they'll all be willing to part with a considerable amount of their fortunes if they want to finance Real Bedford into the football league. The only bonus for them is if they need some plastic fans to fill out the stadium a bit on matchdays they don't have to travel too far with Milton Keynes up the road.

Just because someone with money comes along and has a few ideas - people should not just jump into bed with it - this happens to much, not just in football but in daily and it often ends in tears. Caution is needed. That said, after Bedford Town got relegated down to the Southern League Division One Central in 2013/14, they spent 6 years hovering between mid table and the play-offs, then in 2020 suddenly started to spend a lot of money, Rene Howe and Craig Mackail-Smith were among the big names signed. So with that not being too long ago, it's likely that there are some people still at the Club who were involved in that ambitious spell would jump at the chance of more success with a merger. If they can stay top of the league a little longer it may also be beneficial during negotiations.

 

The merger is a done deal.  Not head anything to suggest the FA are likely to scupper it, other than that it's all over bar the shouting.     

[Rhodes]

There's another quick Southern League Division One Central turnaround with 'sleeping giants' Aylesbury United visiting the Ledger Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday 25 February) evening following the frustrating abandonment on Saturday 21 December due to floodlight failure, those who attended that afternoon are welcome to enter for free by showing proof of attendance at the gate. Good news that the fixture will be a livestream:

https://www.realbedford.com/real-bedford-v-aylesbury-united2

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

Edited February 25 by Rhodes

[Rhodes]

I see that, wait for it, the US business magazine Forbes have picked up on the story of the Winklevoss twin brothers, Tyler and Cameron, investing money in Real Bedford and their article is an interesting read stating for example, amongst other things, that 'the Winklevoss twins are investing in the 'ultimate underdog story', 'Real Bedford is aiming to emulate the achievements of Wrexham AFC, which was purchased by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2020' and 'half of the Premier League’s 20 Club's have been acquired by US investors, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Liverpool and Manchester United are majority owned by Americans'. In addition, also see recent on-line newspaper articles from the Sun and Daily Mail as well as from TalkSport, Sky Sports, the BBC and AOL. Can you really blame the Bedford Town hierarchy, and Lee Bircham, for having an 'if you can't beat them join them' change of heart and 'wanting a piece of the action': 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertolsen-1/2025/02/20/billionaire-winklevoss-twins-target-premier-league-with-investment-in-real-bedford-football-club/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/33503167/real-bedford-cameron-tyler-winklevoss-facebook/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14418291/winklevoss-twins-english-amateur-football-club.html

https://talksport.com/football/2950193/winklevoss-twins-takeover-crypto-billionaires-real-beford/

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13312885/real-bedford-fc-cryptocurrency-investors-cameron-and-tyler-winklevoss-inject-gbp3-58m-and-become-part-owners

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c204pzd6272o

https://www.aol.com/cryptocurrency-twins-finalise-football-investment-114442627.html

[LondonEagle]

17 minutes ago, Rhodes said:

I see that, wait for it, the US business magazine Forbes have picked up on the story of the Winklevoss twin brothers, Tyler and Cameron, investing money in Real Bedford and their article is an interesting read stating for example, amongst other things, that 'the Winklevoss twins are investing in the 'ultimate underdog story', 'Real Bedford is aiming to emulate the achievements of Wrexham AFC, which was purchased by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney in 2020' and 'half of the Premier League’s 20 Club's have been acquired by US investors, Arsenal, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Chelsea, Everton, Fulham, Crystal Palace, Ipswich, Liverpool and Manchester United are majority owned by Americans'. In addition, also see recent on-line newspaper articles from the Sun and Daily Mail as well as from TalkSport, Sky Sports, the BBC and AOL. Can you really blame the Bedford Town hierarchy, and Lee Bircham, for having an 'if you can't beat them join them' change of heart and 'wanting a piece of the action': 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/robertolsen-1/2025/02/20/billionaire-winklevoss-twins-target-premier-league-with-investment-in-real-bedford-football-club/

https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/33503167/real-bedford-cameron-tyler-winklevoss-facebook/

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14418291/winklevoss-twins-english-amateur-football-club.html

https://talksport.com/football/2950193/winklevoss-twins-takeover-crypto-billionaires-real-beford/

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13312885/real-bedford-fc-cryptocurrency-investors-cameron-and-tyler-winklevoss-inject-gbp3-58m-and-become-part-owners

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c204pzd6272o

https://www.aol.com/cryptocurrency-twins-finalise-football-investment-114442627.html

Do you think the way it is has been handled, applying to the FA to merge and then only after the application leaked out, holding a fans forum to consult on the merger but not actually listening to whether either set of fans actually want it, was the best way to go about things, Rhodes?

 

 

[Rhodes]

Let's get ready to rumble then, see Aylesbury United's match report from the abandoned fixture in December, not previously posted:

https://www.aylesbury.football/Matchreport.aspx?id=737739

[Rhodes]

On 24/02/2025 at 12:26, Rhodes said:

There's another quick Southern League Division One Central turnaround with 'sleeping giants' Aylesbury United visiting the Ledger Stadium tomorrow (Tuesday 25 February) evening following the frustrating abandonment on Saturday 21 December due to floodlight failure, those who attended that afternoon are welcome to enter for free by showing proof of attendance at the gate. Good news that the fixture will be a livestream

It wasn't that straight forward at the Ledger Stadium last night however Rob Sinclair's men, sorry, heroes grinded out a nail biting 3-2 victory with goals from Isaac Galliford, Josh Setchell and, who else, Joey Evans from the spot, see local press coverage:

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/evans-winner-helps-real-bedford-grind-out-aylesbury-win/

[Rhodes]

There are a lot more comments regarding the merger on another Forum, make of them what you will:

I'd be interested in people's thoughts on an unconfirmed rumour that I heard on Saturday. If the merger/takeover is in progress come the end of the season and Bedford Town are champions, they would be ineligible for promotion to Step 2. The theory behind this is that it would be viewed as Real Bedford buying a promotion.

Not so. The rule states that the placement is at the absolute discretion of the FALC. In exercising that discretion, the FALC may have regard to several factors, including that the merged club will “ordinarily” be placed at the lower level. But that’s merely guidance. However, it has been a long-standing myth on here that the rule actually requires the merged club to be placed at the lower level.
The reason the placement is discretionary is to allow all the facts and circumstances behind the transaction to be taken into account. Not least because what‘s called a ‘merger’ may not necessarily actually be a merger at all, in substance.

So, assuming the merger/whatever it is is in progress, Bedford Town could win the SLPC, and then have to wait to see where they are playing until the FALC decides? It gets more complicated given that Real are also top of D1S at the moment. Surely that decision would have to be made very quickly as I assume it would also affect promotion and play off eligibility for other teams in both SLPC and SLD1S (including my own).

This is the process and key dates they should all be working to. I don’t know how soon after the March 31 deadline the FA would issue a decision, but I agree it’d need to be done very quickly (and I’d expect it would be). [The regulation then goes on to explain how the FALC considers the application:

The first question from that would be whether any formal application has been placed before 31st December, as per the first paragraph of 6.5.

It has/was. The recent fans forum was only called after the merger application leaked out.

I would imagine they will let the season play out and probably do reprieves as required, as long Real Bedford get promoted to step 3 just have to reprieve a relegated club from step 3-6, If Bedford Town do get promoted to step 2 the new team very likely plays step 2.

So are Bedford Town supporters sitting back and accepting this merger? Or are they getting together to do something about it?

What can they do exactly, the deal has already been done behind their backs? Some won't support a merged club full-stop and some won't support it if it's not called Bedford Town, but until any of this is announced ie the new club name, nickname, badge, colours and what league it will play in next season, nobody knows exactly how the numbers stack up.

It's too late for that, everything is as good as signed already from what I can gather. Also, the BTFC Directors have made it clear they won't fund the club any longer, so there wouldn't even be anyone left to run the Club.

What good would complaining do. Its a rock and a hard place scenario. Either they accept a take over or the existing directors stop funding. Both options not ideal. As others have said the Town fans may not agree but given the money behind Real it'll happen.

It’s interesting. A lot of this is vibes-based - and maybe McCormack might have been welcomed more easily had he done things a bit differently. I would hazard a guess that the vast majority of clubs have changed their colours at least once in their history and badges probably several times. If he’d changed the name of Bedford FC to, say, Bedford Athletic rather than a Sunday league team name, and the badge to something less odd, and not made public statements about wanting to get to the Premier League, as well as indicating some sensitivity to Town’s supporters at this point, I suspect they might be a bit keener on his merger plans now.

Edited February 26 by Rhodes

[Winslow Boy]

Outside of the alt right bit coin podcast echo chamber the opinions seem pretty unified. He would do himself a great service by listening on what are a few small points. Would mean checking the ego the ego a bit and not many actually have the minerals to do that. 

[RallyInRaleigh]

He hasn't made, or at least announced, decisions on things like badge, colors, name etc which seems to be the extent of the concerns voiced online from Bedford Town fans. The thing often overlooked is that this isn't a merger so much as a bailout for Town. Their own leadership has stated multiple times now that the money is going away. They won't fund this going forward. Who is stepping up if not Peter. He's a step away and looking primed to join them in a couple of months anyway. His long term vision doesn't require what Town can give him anyway. I won't lose any sleep if it all falls through and we let the chips fall where they may for both clubs. But let's not kid ourselves, by all indication, Town needs SOMEONE to step up and help them and Peter appears to be the only/highest bidder. Take up that grievance with your own leadership.

[LondonEagle]

4 hours ago, RallyInRaleigh said:

He hasn't made, or at least announced, decisions on things like badge, colors, name etc which seems to be the extent of the concerns voiced online from Bedford Town fans. 

Yes, because he is a smart guy so will have kept things ss vague as poss at this stage, then a lot of the BTFC fans think they might be turning up to watch Bedford Town, The Eagles, in blue and white next season.

Plus he is not doing it as a charity favour. BTFC have greater local support, a better ground and are top of the league at Step 3. If he had same or bigger local support, had developed McMullen Park and was in the same league, then it would make far more sense for him to let BTFC sink and eliminate the competition, rather than bail them out.     

Edited February 26 by LondonEagle

[LondonEagle]

Headline is a little unfair to say the least, given it's fairly balanced piece overall.

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/feb/27/crypto-mogul-bitter-battle-bedford-town-real-bedford

[RallyInRaleigh]

23 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

Yes, because he is a smart guy so will have kept things ss vague as poss at this stage, then a lot of the BTFC fans think they might be turning up to watch Bedford Town, The Eagles, in blue and white next season.

Plus he is not doing it as a charity favour. BTFC have greater local support, a better ground and are top of the league at Step 3. If he had same or bigger local support, had developed McMullen Park and was in the same league, then it would make far more sense for him to let BTFC sink and eliminate the competition, rather than bail them out.     

It's an upgraded ground but not where he wants to be longer term. That piece is a certain upgrade but very short term. And every post about the merger is from a Bedford Town fan is basically "I won't support this." So while they do have a larger local fanbase, he's certainly not guaranteed to inherit them. He's steadily building local support which is obvious to see. No reason to think he's stuck at current support levels while performance, leagues and integration into the town all lever up. They are one league behind. Town is top of table but third in points per game and far from a lock to move up. And, even beyond that, all indications are that the merger would result in the unified club slotting into wherever Real Bedford land at the end of this season. It's not like they are suddenly in the National League post merger. All this placed up against the fact that Town as it stands will need a new influx of cash from someone. Their own president and chair are saying so. That's not to take away from the incredible history or current season the Eagles are having. But the future prospects are what exactly? I don't think the PIrates success at all requires this merger. It seems like Town does need one whether it's Peter or not.

[Rhodes]

On 26/02/2025 at 09:29, Rhodes said:

It wasn't that straight forward at the Ledger Stadium last night however Rob Sinclair's men, sorry, heroes grinded out a nail biting 3-2 victory with goals from Isaac Galliford, Josh Setchell and, who else, Joey Evans from the spot, see local press coverage:

https://www.bedfordindependent.co.uk/evans-winner-helps-real-bedford-grind-out-aylesbury-win/

Highlights from the livestream last Tuesday evening at the Ledger Stadium against Aylesbury United, both Club's match reports and the match programme:

https://www.realbedford.com/news/real-bedford-stage-comeback-to-secure-thrilling-3-2-victory-over-aylesbury-united

https://www.aylesbury.football/Matchreport.aspx?id=796843

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/619758344d16e93725c39d0a/t/67c064e6e4e7603c143a7025/1740662013095/%2366+v+Aylesbury+United++-compressed.pdf

Edited March 3 by Rhodes

[LondonEagle]

9 hours ago, RallyInRaleigh said:

It's an upgraded ground but not where he wants to be longer term. That piece is a certain upgrade but very short term. 

So Bedford Town are essentially collateral damage to give him somewhere better to play in the short-term but in a few years he will have outgrown their ground and will need another one? Real Bedford only lasted 3 years at Bedford FC's ground - in another 3 years he could have outgrown the Eyrie and BTFC will have gone as well. He basically has no long-term plan at all and is relying on having lots of money and telling people what is going to happen.    

Edited February 28 by LondonEagle

[Rhodes]

Real Bedford Ladies entertain Queens Park Rangers Ladies on Sunday (2 March), at the Ledger Stadium, in an interesting looking FA Women's National League Division One South East fixture however there will be no livestream:

The Pirates are back at home this weekend, taking on QPR, unfortunately we are unable to stream the game, however usual X live updates will still be available. Get your tickets here:

https://www.realbedford.com/real-bedford-women-v-qpr2

Edited February 28 by Rhodes

[RallyInRaleigh]

13 hours ago, LondonEagle said:

Leave us alone. You Yanks have no understanding of the history of football in Bedford at all. Just piss off.   

We had a happy club at Bedford Town until you came along and ruined it.

As did Bedford FC. Look at the recent posts from Cruz. Bedford Town's biggest fan has stopped going already also. How many decent local people are you going to trample over in pursuit of getting a Bitcoin club into the football league?

I know plenty of Bedford Town fans in tears over this, including me,  but it's all just collateral damage, hey, it's cool. we're going to the Football League.    

Who cares if anyone gets clinically depressed over us wiping out their hobby, we're orange-pilling everyone. Absolutely tragic anyone defending this shit in any way any longer.     

Don't sell? Accept that ownership can't afford to compete at current levels and potentially slide down the pyramid. Yanks had nothing to do with Town not accepting his offer several years ago. In fact they laughed at Peter's face and spent the last several years thumbing their nose at the Pirates. He's clueless! He's only a fundraiser. He doesn't get it. Yet a local kid bought a local club, integrated in a meaningful way in the youth and women's game and has brought more new business and light to a town that is in need of it. If you want to blame Americans for that, ok, I guess. Guilty? Town has average 487 fans per game over the last three seasons. 

Like I said, I'd prefer no merger. Pirates can keep building without Town and it sounds like Town is both unable but also, remarkably, unwilling to adapt and improve. And bravo, fine by me. But it seems like Town fans are actually afraid of another local club being successful and, you're right, I don't understand that. You can have the history, I'll take the revolution. 

[Cruz]

I do not understand why football clubs from much smaller towns can support teams from higher leagues and yet Bedford Town fail to do this.Is it the other clubs have a good income from bar takings and the Eyrie is out in the wilderness.After the demise of the Eagles in 1982 I lost interest in football for about two years until I found Bedford United,I would like to see two community clubs serving the community , yes promotion would be nice but Bedford folk can make a dream come true as I remember the days when the Eagles would attract attendances of 3000 plus.

[Rhodes]

I prefer to concentrate on the football and Rob Sinclair's men are left kicking, sorry, toe punting their heels today with no scheduled Southern League Division One Central fixture, the next game is at Hadley in a week's time (Saturday 8 March). This will give sole Championship rivals Berkhamsted a heaven made opportunity today to draw level on points with Real Bedford when they travel the short distance to lowly Leverstock Green (see the match programme) who look like they will unfortunately be making a swift return to the Spartan South Midlands League (SSML) following their promotion through the play-off's with Real Bedford last season. Boss Rob Sinclair is doing the right and sensible thing in just concentrating on the football and letting the 'turmoil' at both Real Bedford and Bedford Town to professionally pass him by, he will have no doubt told all his players, sorry, heroes to do likewise and turn a blind eye:

https://issuu.com/tonysmart/docs/berko_vs_levy_1st_march?fr=sMzExMDYzNjczODU