Bedford Blues

Bedford Blues are a rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in The RFU Championship. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The Blues are a semi-pro team, with a mix of experienced and young players. The Blues are coached by Mike Rayer.

Bedford Blues
Full nameBedford Blues
UnionEast Midlands RFU
Founded1886 (1886)
LocationBedford, England
Ground(s)Goldington Road (Capacity: 5,000 (1,700 seated))
Coach(es)Mike Rayer
League(s)RFU Championship
2019–208th
1st kit
2nd kit
Official website
www.bedfordrugby.co.uk

History

Foundation and 19th Century

Bedford RUFC was founded in 1886 after an amalgamation between Bedford Rovers (1876) and Bedford Swifts (1882). Both parent clubs had close connections with Bedford School and Bedford Modern School, and both had fixtures with the leading teams of the period. The Bedford colours of dark and light blue are believed to be a reflection of the schoolmasters association with Oxbridge and the full badge colours are based on the strip of Swifts (black) and Rovers (cerise).

Under the captaincy of Alfred Parrott, a Bedford Modern School master, the new club made an auspicious start, losing only once in its first season (to Leicester) and again only once in its second (to a composite London XV). The early successes, however, paled before the achievements of 1893–94, when the club's reputation persuaded opponents of the stature of Stade Francais, from Paris, and the Barbarians to make the journey over. These two distinguished teams suffered the fate of all other visitors to the club's ground in that marvelous season, defeated by scores of 22–0 and 7–3 respectively in front of huge crowds. Indeed, the Club would complete its normal programme unbeaten, only to lose when somewhat understrength, in an extra match arranged as an Easter Monday attraction at Coventry (0–12). The season's final record was 29 played, 27 won, one drawn and one lost, with 521 points and only 49 against. Records created that season stood for many years and winger H.M Morris still holds the highest try-scoring tally with 38 scores in a season.

While the success on the playing field had been good there was often a problem of where to play at home. There were two main sites where pitches could be made available. One was known as 'The House of Industry' ground in Goldington Road. This was the field in front of the House of Industry -now known as the North Wing Hospital. This is approximately where Bedford play now. The other site was known as Midland Road Ground, an area near the Queen's Park railway bridge.

The first matches in 1886–87 were in Goldington Road — where the Bedford Swifts had played — but during the next few seasons several pitches near the railway station were used. It was recorded in local papers at the time that at least one game was played in the field where Queens Works now stands. The railway and industry required this land and Bedford Rugby returned to the Goldington Road area before an agreement in 1895 was reached with Bedford Cricket Club who actually held the lease. The pitch was laid out in virtually the same spot as it is now.

Beginning of the Century

The club's record prior to 1905 was good enough to bring the all Blacks to the town for the first time. The match itself was a great attraction with the town's schools and factories closing for the half day to enable people to attend. The result (0–41 to New Zealand) was similar to the fate that most club sides suffered in their successful tour. Only Wales beat them.

In the seasons immediately preceding World War I the fixture list grew stronger, and the club lost only one game in 1913–14. The facilities had also improved. With a better playing arena, the first stand had been erected in 1905 and in 1910 a new pavilion was built. At that time it was considered one of the best rugby club pavilions in the country. The fact that it is still standing (now known as the 'Scrumhall' bar) is proof of the quality of workmanship and materials.

The First World War threatened the club's existence when the ground was taken over by the Military Authorities for use as an Army Camp. Things did improve very quickly and by the late twenties and early thirties Bedford once again were at the top. Even today some older supporters consider this the club's best ever period - practically every member of the team in 1938–39 was very close to international honours. Further improvements had been made at the ground, the biggest being the stand opened in 1933 which is still in use today.

Post war yo-yo era

The club recovered again after the Second World War and continued to play all the leading clubs and had a great spell in the mid sixties. There were three Bedford players regularly in the England team with David Perry and Budge Rogers captaining their county. In 1969-70 season Bedford won the Sunday Telegraph English-Welsh rugby union table. Probably, the Blues finest hour was in 1975 when Bedford, captained by Budge Rogers beat Rosslyn Park in the final of the Knock Out Cup at Twickenham 28–12. There was a gate of nearly 18,000 which at the time was a record attendance.

Unfortunately this achievement did not continue with the club having little success resulting in many players with great potential leaving he club. There were bright moments such as John Orwin captaining the England touring party to Australia and Fiji in 1988. When the leagues were introduced in 1987-88 Bedford were in Division 2, promoted to Division 1 in 1989 but relegated immediately to finish in Division 3 for a period.

The professional era

At the start of the 1996–97 season when 'The Blues' were in Division 2 the club turned professional. Frank Warren (the boxing promoter) and Sports Network putting in a big investment to secure quality players, many of whom were internationally famous, while others were young but promising. The best example is probably Scott Murray who until June 2008 was Scotland's most capped international. At the second attempt Bedford easily won the Allied Dunbar Division 2 Championship in 1998 and were promoted to Division 1 and were runners up in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Cup. Financial problems with the club's owners resulted in the club losing many players but there was a nucleus that remained loyal. The Club Coach and Director of Rugby also left.

The decline
Bedford Blues playing the Cornish Pirates in 2008.

In April 1999 Sports Network sold the club to Jefferson Lloyd International but this was a financial disaster resulting in Bedford losing further staff. The club was about to be sold and moved from the town, which would have meant the end of first class rugby in Bedford. Following intervention by the RFU in October 1999 a consortium of Bedford businessmen headed by David Ledsom (SDC), Mike Kavanagh, Geoff Irvine (Irvine-Whitlock), David Gunner and David Rawlinson with assistance from Bedford Borough Council and other professional people, the transfer of the club to Bedford Blues Ltd. was organised. Several thousand supporters and businesses in the town bought shares and the club is now viable. The club is now sponsored by Charles Wells Brewery and many other local companies. Bedford have been playing on virtually the same pitch for over 100 years and 32 players have gained International honours while they were actually playing for the club at the time of being honoured.

Stability

Mike Rayer, an ex-player of the club and Cardiff RFC, has introduced a free-flowing style which saw Bedford rise to 2nd in the league in 2006, only held back by the dominance of Harlequins, who had been demoted from the Premiership the year before.

The 2006 season had seen the commencement of a relationship with Leicester Tigers, the prominent Premiership side, which allowed some of Leicester's most promising young players to gain experience by playing for Bedford in National Division One. Within the next five years it was hoped that 50% of the club's players would have been brought into the squad through the Academy and youth teams.

The 2006–07 Academy Colts became champions of the English Colts Club Knockout Cup after beating Redruth at Franklin's Gardens. 2007–08 season saw the Colts win the cup again. Being the first Colts team to retain the cup.

Goldington Road Stadium
Goldington Road Stadium

Goldington Road is the home ground of the Bedford Blues, with a capacity of 5,000, usually drawing 2000+ people with each home game. Towards the end of the 05–06 season, two new temporary stands were built for the big home tie against Harlequins, at one point these stands were made a long term part of the stadium, along with the grounds public house and original stand. As of the 06–07 season the extra stands have been removed.[1][2][3]

Kit

The club kit was supplied by Kooga from at least 2004 up until the 2011–2012 season and is now supplied by Zoo Sport Ltd before changing back to Gilbert on 1st September 2020. The kit is sponsored by three companies; The front of the team shirt by Blue Chip, the sleeves by Wells Bombardier and the back by Lifesure insurance.

Year Supplier Chest Sleeves Back
1996–2000 Gilbert Dexion unknown unknown
2006–2008 Kooga Autoglass Wells Bombardier Lifesure
2008–2010 Kooga Wells Bombardier Lifesure
2010–2011 Kooga Wells Bombardier Lifesure
2011–2014 Zoo Sport Ltd Wells Bombardier Lifesure
2015–2020 Blue Chip
2020– Gilbert[4] Blue Chip Wells Bombardier Lifesure

Special Events

Ladies Day

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to support the charity Breast Cancer Care the Blues hold a yearly 'Ladies Day' home match at Goldington Road. The team wear a unique Kooga pink strip for the game with the playing shirts auctioned giving proceeds to Breast Cancer Care. https://web.archive.org/web/20111003121344/https://www.medocmall.co.uk/images/theclubshop_bedford_tickets/products/large/KSSHIRT.gif

The Mobbs Memorial Match

The Mobbs Memorial Match is held annually in memory of Edgar Mobbs, an England international who was killed in the First World War. Mobbs played for Northampton and was educated at Bedford Modern School.[5] Between 2008 and 2011 the match was played at Goldington Road between Bedford Blues and the Barbarians. Since 2012 it has been played alternately at Goldington Road and the Northampton Saints ground at Franklin's Gardens, with the host club facing the British Army team.[6]

Year Home Score Away
2008 Bedford 19–34 Barbarians
2009 Bedford 45–76 Barbarians
2010 Bedford 50–14 Barbarians
2011 Bedford 35–43 Barbarians
2013[7] Bedford 43–29 Army
2015[8] Bedford 47–24 Army

League history
BEDFORD RUGBY CLUB LEAGUE HISTORY
Year League Level Position Other
1987–88Courage League Division Two25th-
1988–89Courage League Division Two22nd (P)Promoted to Division One
1989–90Courage League Division One112thRelegated to Division Two
1990–91Courage League Division Two28th-
1991–92Courage League Division Two210th-
1992–93Courage League Division Two27thRelegated to Division Three
1993–94Courage League Division Three33rd-
1994–95Courage League Division Three31stPromoted to Division Two
1995–96Courage League Division Two29th place-
1996–97Courage League Division Two24th Place-
1997–98Allied Dunbar Premiership Division Two21st PlacePromoted to Allied Dunbar Premiership
1998–99Allied Dunbar Premiership113th Place-
1999–00Allied Dunbar Premiership112th PlaceRelegated back to National Division One
2000–01National Division One211th Place-
2001–02National Division One26th Place-
2002–03National Division One27th Place-
2003–04National Division One27th Place-
2004–05National Division One27th PlacePowergen Shield Winners
2005–06National Division One22nd PlacePowergen National Trophy Runners Up
2006–07National Division One27th place-
2007–08National Division One26th place-
2008–09National Division One23rd place-
2009–10RFU Championship24th placeRFU Championship Play-Off Semi Finalists
2010–11RFU Championship22nd placeRFU Championship Play-Off Semi Finalists, British and Irish Cup Runners Up
2011–12RFU Championship22nd placeRFU Championship Play-Off Semi Finalists
2012–13RFU Championship23rd placeRFU Championship Finalists, British and Irish Cup Semi Finalists
2013–14RFU Championship29th place-
2014–15RFU Championship210th place-
2015–16RFU Championship24th placeRFU Championship Play-off Semi Finalists
2016–17RFU Championship28th place
2017–18RFU Championship23rd place(play-offs for promotion were abolished and replaced by the first ranked team being promoted)
2018–19RFU Championship23rd place
2019–20RFU Championship28th place

Current standings
2020–21 RFU Championship Table
Club Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points against Points diff Tries for Tries against Try bonus Losing bonus Points
1Ampthill000000000000
2Bedford Blues000000000000
3Cornish Pirates000000000000
4Coventry000000000000
5Doncaster Knights000000000000
6Ealing Trailfinders000000000000
7Hartpury University000000000000
8Jersey Reds000000000000
9London Scottish000000000000
10Nottingham000000000000
11Richmond000000000000
12Saracens000000000000
  • If teams are level at any stage, tiebreakers are applied in the following order:
  1. Number of matches won
  2. Difference between points for and against
  3. Total number of points for
  4. Aggregate number of points scored in matches between tied teams
  5. Number of matches won excluding the first match, then the second and so on until the tie is settled
Green background is the promotion place. Pink background is the relegation place.
Source: "Greene King IPA Championship". England Rugby.

Current squad
For player movements before or during the 2020–21 season, see List of 2020–21 RFU Championship transfers § Bedford Blues.

The Bedford Blues squad for the 2020–21 season is:[9]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Jacob Fields Hooker England
Andrew Boye Prop England
Seán McCarthy Prop Ireland
Henry Paul Prop England
Alex Penny Prop England
Joe Wrafter Prop England
Will Carrick-Smith Lock England
Oli Curry Lock England
Jordan Onojaife Lock England
Joe Atkinson Back row England
Dan Temm Back row New Zealand
Huw Worthington Back row Wales
Player Position Union
Alex Gliksten Scrum-half England
Grayson Hart Scrum-half Scotland
James Lennon Scrum-half Ireland
Oskar Hirskyj-Douglas Centre England
Matt Worley Centre Hong Kong
Richard Lane Wing England
Pat Tapley Wing England
Ed Coulson Fullback England
Charlie Reed Fullback England

International players

Club honours
gollark: Intel's iGPUs are apparently going to be a lot better in Ice Lake.
gollark: I expect within a generation or two iGPUs from AMD and Intel will reach "good enough for my use" status.
gollark: They make *integrated* ones, and the drivers are great.
gollark: (they are actually making dedicated GPUs in, what, 2020?)
gollark: ~~Intel~~

References
  1. "Goldington Road". Napit.co.uk. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  2. http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4474806660_2bd7a91b91_b.jpg
  3. http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3348210858_27c348ac2f.jpg?v=0
  4. "Gilbert to become official kit partner". bedfordrugby.co.uk. Retrieved 17 June 2020.
  5. "Edgar Mobbs". espn.co.uk. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  6. "Mobbs Memorial Match promises to be poignant occasion". rfu.com. Archived from the original on 14 December 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2014.
  7. "MOBBS would have been proud". armyrugbyunion.co.uk. Retrieved 7 December 2014.
  8. "Match Report v British Army". Bedford Blues. Retrieved 23 April 2015.
  9. "Players". Bedford Blues. Retrieved 5 August 2019.
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