Saturday 22 March is Non-League Day, the annual celebration of non-league football in the UK as the nation’s top stars embark on their last international break of the season and in our town of Bedford, the stakes could not be higher.
Both on and off the pitch, Bedford has grabbed the headlines in the world of non-league football this season, with Bedford Town unexpectedly setting step three alight while Real Bedford are potentially just one game away from getting one hand on a trophy at step four.
Few local football fans will need reminding of the state of play off the pitch, as negotiations are ongoing into the potential merger between Bedford Town and Real Bedford, with any deal needing to be completed by 31 March in order to take effect next season.
Read: Bedford Town and Real Bedford in merger talks to “transform football in Bedford”
Sources at both clubs say the merger is “making good progress”, but while our town can enjoy multiple tilts at non-league titles, local football fans should take the opportunity to enjoy the success our team’s protagonists have helped build throughout this campaign.
Even Lee Bircham, the manager of Bedford Town, cannot deny that the Eagles are one of a number of teams in the picture for a Southern League Premier Central title; an achievement that would help cement his Bedford Town side as one of their best for decades.
Having spent most of the season – perhaps fairly – saying, “survival is all we’re thinking about”, Bedford Town are just one point behind league leaders, Kettering Town with seven league games remaining.
Victories like the 3-1 win against old rivals Kettering, in front of almost 2,000 fans at The Eyrie, have seen the Eagles in a sensational position and this weekend they face fellow title hopefuls, Stamford with players and manager alike saying the twelfth man is a big advantage.
You can buy tickets for this encounter at The Eyrie here.
Read: Bedford Town outclass old rivals Kettering to soar four points clear
What is Non-League Day?
Despite our town’s current unique circumstances, Non-League Day continues to provide an opportunity for fans to view the game in an entirely different light and – whichever guise of club or clubs we end up with next season – allow the fans to get involved.
Created in 2010 by Harrow Borough supporter, James Doe, the concept of Non-League Day began as a social media experiment, highlighting the plight of the non-league game and the often thankless tasks of its volunteers who help keep non-league football clubs alive.
The world has changed a lot in the last 15 years, as the cost of living sees football fans priced out of attending Premier League and Football League matches, with many turning to their local non-league team to get their Saturday football fix.
In doing so, football fans have discovered a whole new side to the game.
They can be up close to the action, they can volunteer as a steward, PA announcer, groundsman or help towards an ever-increasing online presence, plus they can meet with the players and the manager in the bar afterwards.
Try doing that at the Etihad or the Emirates.
Big games ahead
As it happens, both of our town’s biggest clubs face potentially season-defining clashes on Non-League Day.
4th vs 5th in Southern League Premier Central at the home of Bedford Town is supplemented by a true title six-pointer in Hertfordshire, as Real Bedford travel to Berkhamsted, knowing a victory will leave them six points clear at the top of Southern League Central Division One, with two games in hand.
With a play-off berth already secured after Real’s 5-0 drubbing of Northwood last weekend, this division’s top two have soared clear of the chasing pack, although Tuesday night’s 3-1 defeat at home to Beaconsfield has damaged the hopes of ‘Berko’.
Saturday’s clash feels like last chance saloon for them to keep this intriguing title battle going. If Saturday’s game is anything like the reverse at the Ledger Stadium at the beginning of the calendar year, fans are in for a treat.
Read: Real Bedford take control of title race against ten-man Berkhamsted
There’s also a third title battle in the Women’s game as Real Bedford are on the cusp of back-to-back league championships of their own and they travel to Chesham United in the Women’s National League on Sunday (23 March), just three days after their County Cup final against Luton Town tonight (Thursday).
Kempston Rovers are in action too, although their challenge is a difficult one at the runaway leaders of Spartans South Midlands Premier Division, Milton Keynes Irish.
Both Bedford Town and Real Bedford have been drumming up support on social media ahead of their respective ties, and with no Premier League or Championship football to peruse this weekend, why not give it a go?
Tickets for Berkhamsted vs Real Bedford can be bought on the gate at Broadwater while tickets for Bedford Town vs Stamford can be bought in advance at a slightly discounted price here or on the gate at The Eyrie.
All of Saturday’s games kick off at 3pm.
As for the rest of the season, whatever may or may not occur off the pitch, it is due to be an exciting climax on both sides of the fence at Meadow Lane.
