The Bedford Independent has extended its commitment to local sport by becoming a Business Plus partner for Bedfordshire County Cricket Club.
Supporting the club during its 2026 season will help ensure it can take part in Twenty20, 50-over and three-day red-ball competitions around the country as part of the National Counties calendar, but more support is still needed.
Funding a National Counties season can be gruelling for clubs, all of which are part-time voluntary enterprises, and support from local businesses and individuals is vital in helping the club achieve its goals.
A typical season from April to September can cost upwards of £55,000, and with only £36,000 of that coming from funding by the National Counties Cricket Association (NCCA), Bedfordshire is now on the lookout for community support to make up the shortfall.
From catering to coach travel and physio retainers to hotel rooms for away games in places such as Northumberland and Cumbria, the costs to run a National Counties side stack up quickly.
“We really need to reach out to the Bedfordshire community – individual and business – to increase our membership to try and make ourselves self-funded, rather than having to reach out for larger donations each year”, says Bedfordshire CCC’s Head of Fundraising, Chris Tarling.
“Players also give up their time using leave from their day jobs”, adds Chris.
“Luckily, we have some teachers in our side who get a lot of the Summer off and a few younger players at university, but sometimes the longer away trips affect selection.”
126-year history
Bedfordshire last played a home game at Bedford School in 2023, which doubled as a successful fundraiser and corporate day for the National Counties club, with hopes that can be replicated around the county in 2026 and beyond.
Bedfordshire CCC has been running for 126 years, giving young players a stepping stone to play at the highest level, including most recently Amrit Basra, who played 37 games for Bedfordshire across all formats.
Basra secured a two-year professional contract with Derbyshire, and is just one example of professional cricketers using the vehicle of the National Counties game to forge successful careers.
Other names on the cusp of professional honours are former Bedford School students Jamie Dunk, who already has international honours with Scotland Under 19s, and Northamptonshire pathway graduate, Archie Houghton who has already made appearances for the county’s 2nd XI.
The calendar ahead and how you can help
Bedfordshire will once again be competing on all three fronts in 2026.
After finishing third in NCCA East Division Two, Bedfordshire are looking to replicate the promotion they achieved in 2023, where a 411-run victory over near rivals, Hertfordshire, confirmed their rise to Division One, and they are well placed to do so again with a settled side.
There’s also the 50-over NCCA Trophy and the extended and ever more popular Twenty20 competition, in which Bedfordshire played eight group stage games across four matchdays, playing other counties (including Wales) twice on the same day to create a bumper day of cricket to watch.
And you can help them achieve their goals.
For as little as £75, businesses can use the Bedfordshire CCC logo on websites and documents, plus access to networking events at games throughout the season.
There is also a ‘Business Plus’ option – at £125 – that includes sponsorship of a player, business mentions in social media posts, squad announcements and special milestones throughout the season, on top of everything else that comes with the standard membership.
The ‘Plus’ option also includes discounted access to hospitality across Bedfordshire’s National Counties calendar, with two games at each format available for VIP treatment.
For more information on how you or your business can get involved, you can email Bedfordshire CCC’s Head of Fundraising, Chris Tarling, directly at fundraising@bedsccc.co.uk.
Bedfordshire County Cricket Club’s new website will also soon be in operation at bedsccc.co.uk.
Bedford Independent’s partnership with Bedfordshire County Cricket Club is part of its ongoing commitment to local sport, both on and off the pitch.
It sits alongside partnerships with Bedford Blues RFC, Bedford Town FC, Real Bedford FC, Bedford Athletic RFC and Bedford Hockey Club.
This support may include coverage of matches, club news, and reciprocal commercial agreements.
