The fixtures for the new Southern League football season have been released with Bedford Town and Real Bedford learning who they will be facing first as both sides are set to host a plethora of new teams after promotion.
Bedford Town will play in Southern League Premier Division Central; step three of the English non-league pyramid with Real Bedford making their first appearance in the Southern League setup in the division below, Southern League Central Division One.
Bedford Town ensured the two wouldn’t meet in what would be an historic local derby – barring any cup draws of course – after beating Waltham Abbey 2-1 in the Central Division One play-off final last season.
Read: Bedford Town win play-off final to earn promotion back to step three
Eagles away first up
Bedford Town start their campaign away at fellow new step three side, Spalding United on Saturday 10th August before hosting Royston Town three days later on 13th August at The Eyrie; their first competitive game on the new 3G pitch that is still currently under construction.
Halesowen Town at The Eyrie follows on 17th August before a trip to Harborough Town, also promoted into this division before hosting Bishop’s Stortford, a side relegated from National League North last campaign.
Bedford Town’s final game is at home to Stourbridge on Saturday 26th April 2025.
Real Bedford at home
Real Bedford kick start their Southern League journey at McMullen Park, at home to Hertford Town who finished 14th in the division last season before travelling to Barton Rovers in midweek.
North Leigh, a side who were looking like promotion hopefuls but fell away drastically last campaign, are next on 24th August before a trip to Stotfold 48 hours later on Bank Holiday Monday.
A trip to Leverstock Green, who came up from the Spartans South Midlands Premier Division with Rob Sinclair’s side complete the first five games, with the Pirates finishing the season at Thame United who finished in the relegation places last season but were reprieved.
Late announcement
The Southern League have said there had been a delay in publishing the fixture list as the Premier League and EFL have released their own fixture lists late, causing a knock on effect down the pyramid.
Kempston Rovers were relegated to the Spartans South Midlands Premier Division last season despite a late charge for safety, and travel to Cockfosters first in an early start to the league campaign on 27th July.
Their first league game at Hillgrounds takes place the following Tuesday 30th July as the Walnuts host Aylesbury Vale Dynamos and new manager, Darren Clarke will be hoping to guide his side straight back into the Southern League.
Full fixture lists for Bedford Town and Real Bedford can be found via the Southern League website here.
Good starts to pre-season
Both sides have made good starts to their pre-season campaigns; Bedford Town beat Harpenden Town 4-2 on Tuesday night with goals from Ben Baker, Connor Tomlinson and a brace from Ryan Blake continuing the Eagles’ early season form in front of goal.
Real Bedford have secured victories against Risborough Rangers and Arlesey Town before drawing 2-2 against Kettering Town, who will be one of Bedford Town’s opponents at step three this season.
It’s the Pirates who will kick off the competitive action on Saturday 3rd August as they begin their FA Cup run at home to St Neots Town of the United Counties League in the Extra Preliminary Round, while Kempston Rovers are also at home to Brightlingsea Regent of the Isthmian League North.
Bedford Town enter the competition at the first qualifying round.
