Life on the pitch at Real Bedford has gone pretty much to plan ever since Bedford businessman, Peter McCormack completed his takeover of the old Bedford United in April 2022, with both the men and women’s side filling their respective trophy cabinets in the years since.
Now, they both face their toughest challenge yet as managers Rob Sinclair and Charlie Bill lead their sides into another non-league season at step three of their respective football pyramids.
They are there thanks to a double of league trophies achieved in front of the club’s new American investors, Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, who were in town for the first time on a successful weekend for the Pirates in April.
Read: Evans penalty seals Real Bedford’s third straight league title
Read: Real Bedford Women dismantle London Seaward to win Women’s National League title
In an interview with the club’s media team, co-owner and Chairman, Peter McCormack acknowledged this is going to be their toughest season yet as the jumps up the divisions become steeper, but there is still a quiet confidence that both sides are in for another successful campaign.
Treks ahead for the Women
Arguably, the jumps between tiers are larger for the Women, as Real Bedford are now just one step away from the Women’s Super League (WSL) setup, where there are different and distinct challenges on infrastructure, player welfare and staffing.
Blackburn Rovers made headlines in May when the club controversially withdrew from the Women’s Championship – tier two of the women’s pyramid – with owners, Venky’s unwilling to meet the requirements of the competition.
With trips to established clubs such as Bournemouth, Watford and Plymouth Argyle in the WNL Southern Premier Division ahead, Charlie Bill’s side are a long way from another title win, but should the club’s meteoric rise through the ranks continue, McCormack and company may have to move quickly.
However, speaking to Bedford Independent, Peter McCormack has said the Women’s team are aiming for “consolidation” and are not targeting promotion.
“Our guiding principle is sustainable growth,” says McCormack.
“Every step we have taken, on and off the pitch, has been backed by measured investment in infrastructure, commercial partnerships and operational capacity. Two consecutive promotions demonstrate that this approach works.
“Our 2025/26 priority is consolidation, stabilising in the National League, raising our day‑to‑day standards and embedding systems that make tier three football the club’s new baseline.
“As such, we are not targeting promotion this season. That said, football is unpredictable, so we keep a clear contingency plan should the team out‑perform expectations.
“Should another promotion come sooner than expected, Real Bedford will be ready; if not, we will keep strengthening until the timing is right – for the players, the staff, the supporters, and for the long‑term health of the club.”
Can Real match their neighbours in winning at step three?
The men have also come a long way since winning a step six non-league title in manager, Rob Sinclair’s first full season in charge in 2022/23, and now face some larger clubs in Southern League Premier Central for 2025/26.
Their neighbours, Bedford Town, unexpectedly won this division last season, leaving behind the likes of Halesowen Town, Stamford and Kettering Town who will all be visitors to the Ledger Stadium throughout next season.
One of those players visiting the “noisy neighbours” will be Leon Lobjoit. The former Bedford Town star striker left The Eyrie a couple of weeks ago as he couldn’t commit to step two football, and has now moved from Bedford to Kettering.
Making the trip in the opposite direction is former Kettering Town assistant manager, Frankie Fry who joins the Pirates as Sinclair’s co-assistant; bringing some of the famous Fry demeanour to the Ledger Stadium.
“I’m delighted to be here and excited to get involved”, said Fry on his appointment at the end of May.
“I’m a Bedford boy so I’ve been following the club for the past few years, keeping an eye on it. It’s something I’m really excited to be involved in myself now.”
He will slot in alongside other co-assistant, Mark Ducket as the side will no doubt go on the hunt for a fourth straight non-league title.
However, in a move rarely seen at this level of the game, Real Bedford announced they have retained every single squad member ahead of the new season and with no new signings announced yet, it looks like Sinclair has placed his trust in his young and talented squad to compete at step three.
Their pre-season schedule was confirmed yesterday (11 June) with six games across July and in to August:
Saturday 12 July – Corby Town (H)
Tuesday 15 July – AFC Welwyn (A)
Saturday 19 July – Hitchin Town (A)
Saturday 26 July – Hampton & Richmond Borough (H)
Tuesday 29 July – Hertford Town (A)
Saturday 2 August – St Albans (H)
There has not been an announcement on when the Southern League fixtures will be released, although the National League fixtures at the steps above are due to be announced on 9 July.
