With the clock ticking over to August, the real business of competitive football begins to take hold once more with all eyes on the Borough’s teams as they look to work their way up the football pyramid.
Bedford Town face a big challenge in the Southern League Premier Division, a year after they battled to the Division One championship, holding off Berkhamsted in an exhausting title battle that saw both sides go hammer and tongs from Christmas.
Their season in the seventh tier begins this Saturday at Stratford Town, co-managed by former Bolton Wanderers and Wimbledon midfielder, Dean Holdsworth, a symbol of the jump that the Eagles have made.
Stratford finished 13th in the division last year and while there may be sterner tests to come for Gary Setchell’s side, he will be keen to get off to a fast start in what is a long season ahead.
Eagles lose top scorer Howe
Arguably the Eagles’ player of the season last year, Rene Howe is no longer part of the setup at The Eyrie after choosing to remain closer to home and move to Ware FC, who missed out in the play-offs last season.
Howe’s 33 goals are sure to be missed, but Setchell will hope that Connor Tomlinson can lead the line in his absence, while regular faces Summerfield, Richardson and Danny Setchell are more than capable of adding goals from midfield.
One area that has seen big changes however is in defence with Luke Pennell joining from Braintree Town alongside former Grimsby Town centre back, Jack Keeble and Kai Phelan, who has signed from Barton Rovers.
Real Bedford embark on daring new chapter
Just across the way at McMullen Park, Real Bedford begin their first full season of the Bitcoin era, after Bedford businessman, Peter McCormack took over half way through last season.
Having narrowly missed out on the play-offs in South Midlands Division One last time out, new manager Rob Sinclair will hope to take the first step of McCormack’s vision by securing promotion to the South Midlands Premier League.
Read: Peter McCormack becomes Chairman as he completes takeover
With a host of new players and a new manager with Football League experience, the newly-named Real Bedford’s minimum expectation will be promotion by any means possible.
Their campaign also begins this Saturday against Rushden and Higham Town at McMullen Park after one final friendly against Bedfordshire County league side, AFC Bedford this evening.
Real Bedford have also made a big effort in establishing and promoting their new Women’s team, who will compete in the Eastern Region Women’s Football League.
They open their campaign at Harlow Town Ladies on 21st August before hosting Luton Town at McMullen Park the following week.
With the success of the England Women’s team at the European Championships, Real Bedford are one of many Women’s teams hoping for a bounce in participation and support.
Read: Real Bedford announce partnership with Bedford Ladies and Girls FC
The Road to Wembley
While the likes of Bedford Town and Real Bedford begin their league campaigns this weekend, a lot of the Borough’s other teams begin their FA Cup journey; with dreams of a magic cup run starting in earnest.
The extra preliminary round is this weekend with Kempston Rovers, Biggleswade United and debutants Shefford Town and Campton entering the competition hoping to make it as far as possible.
Rovers will be hoping to gain much needed prize money as they host Long Melford – who play in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division in Suffolk – on Saturday afternoon at Hillgrounds.
Biggleswade United travel to Gorleston of the Isthmian League North while Shefford Town and Campton make their first ever appearance in the FA Cup as they host Stanway Rovers of the Essex Senior League.
Bedford Town enter the competition at the first qualifying round on 6th September.
