Bedford Town have announced that manager, Lee Bircham has accepted a two-and-a-half year contract extension at The Eyrie, taking him up to the end of the 2026/27 season as the Eagles boss.
Bircham revealed to the Bedford Independent that other clubs have been making enquiries into his availability but he has chosen to extend his stay at a “great football club with great owners”.
The deal also includes the option of an extra year as the Bedford Town board double down on what has been a spectacular start to the season.
After promotion to step three via the play-offs last season, Bedford Town now find themselves top of Southern League Premier Central after four consecutive victories, including a stunning 3-2 comeback victory against then league leaders, Stamford on Saturday (12 October).
Read: Bedford Town top of the league after stunning Stamford comeback
Needless to say, there is a good time feel to football at The Eyrie this season, but Bircham insists that the goal is still survival, despite his side sitting at the summit of the seventh tier.
“We’re taking one game at a time”, said Bircham, speaking to Bedford Independent.
“We’ve obviously had an excellent start, and no one expected us to be up where we are, but the objective is still survival. The league is so tight.
“Take Hitchin Town as an example, they were in the play-offs this time last season and ended up getting relegated so there’s a long way to go.”
Hitchin Town are still in the division after a league restructure in the Summer, but currently sit bottom of Southern League Premier Central.
The contract extension comes at a time where multiple clubs have called the powers that be at The Eyrie to enquire on Bircham’s status.
“I received calls, and the club received calls, but I’m very happy where I am!”, said Bircham.
Bircham was also full of praise for his backroom staff who he says have played a pivotal role so far.
“Joycey and I [Assistant Manager, Tony Joyce] are best mates, and the likes of Sam and Jonny have been excellent. We’ve also welcomed back [physio] Jazzy who is popular so we’re all pulling in the right direction.”
“The hardest working gaffer”
Commenting on the contract extension, Director of Football, Jon Taylor said, “It was a no brainer for us. Lee has been nothing less than exceptional for the Eagles. He is everything that [Directors] Ben, Gary and myself expected when we hired him 17 months ago.
“Lee is the hardest working gaffer we all have come across. His knowledge of the game and encyclopaedia of young and proven players is second to none.
“We all couldn’t be more thrilled to continue to work together with Lee, as we continue our destiny to push for a positive finish this season in which survival in step three is our ambition.
“Together as a club, let’s see what the season holds for us.”
Taylor continued, “We believe that Lee has recruited a team filled with some good experience, also some real characters too. He has definitely got some good, young, raw talent, who have already stepped up at the tender ages of eighteen and nineteen.
“There is a great balance in the squad. All the players are exceptionally fit and up for the challenge. With Lee’s excellent win ratio, this news gives the club a massive boost and I am sure all the supporters will agree.
“This is one of the best bits of news at the club so far this season, along with our state of the art 3G facility that is now in place.
“The Board shares my belief that to maintain – and improve upon – the level of ambition and professionalism we have and our supporters deserve, requires vision and a sustainable long-term plan.
“We shall ensure we do this to the best of our ability and always have the club’s best interests at heart,” added Taylor.
Bedford Town are back in action tomorrow (15 October) as they travel to Oxfordshire to face Banbury before they’re back at The Eyrie on Saturday (19 October) to host Barwell.
