Bedford Town FC has announced last season’s top scorer, Leon Lobjoit is to leave the club after finding himself unable to commit to the increased logistical demands of step two non-league football.
However, the blow to the club was cushioned by the announcement that Football League stalwart and local Bedford man, Greg Taylor has joined Bedford Town from King’s Lynn, with manager, Lee Bircham calling it “a massive signing”.
The Eagles secured a superb promotion to National League North last season after a final day 2-0 victory against Stourbridge, and now face some monster away treks, including a 458-mile round trip to South Shields, with just four clubs within a 100-mile radius of The Eyrie.
Read: Bedford Town beat Stourbridge to win Southern League Premier Central
In a statement released today (3 June), Lobjoit thanked everyone at Bedford Town for the eighteen months at the club that saw him spearhead the Eagles to back-to-back promotions.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Bedford Town for the past year and a half. My time there has been amazing; we won promotion through the play-offs and a league title back to back.
“The fans, staff and players are great [and have] supported me through the hardest time in my life and we will never forget that. Me and my family are forever grateful.”
Leon’s daughter, Marnie was only a few days old when she passed away in October, but Lobjoit returned for the Eagles just days after her funeral to net a second half hat-trick to help Bedford Town fight back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 away at Stamford.
“It’s been a tough decision to make but due to my new job commitments, I just couldn’t commit to the travelling next season”, added Lobjoit.
“I wish you all the best. [I am] forever thankful. What a club!”
Bircham’s man moves on
Lobjoit has been front and centre of the Eagles’ dramatic rise up the non-league ranks after joining Bedford Town for a second time in January 2024, with manager Bircham convincing the striker to follow him from Leighton Town to the Eagles.
He went on to lead the attack that saw the side promoted to Southern League Premier Central, finishing second in that division’s scoring charts last campaign; netting 27 league goals as Bedford Town were promoted again, against the odds.
Speaking to Bedford Independent, Eagles manager Lee Bircham spoke of his pride for the player he has worked closely with for a number of years at both Bedford Town and Leighton Town.
“I’m so proud of him, from Leighton through to the Bedford days, he’s played about 170 games for me I think, and become a brilliant player and an even better man.
“Our relationship goes further than a player and a manager. We’re proper mates and you can always rely on him to put in a proper shift and score goals, and as a manager, that’s all you can ask for.
“With everything he’s been through off the pitch, and how he came back and scored that hat-trick, and so many other important goals, it just goes to show what a cracking lad he is.
“I wish him all the best wherever he ends up, they’ll have a cracking player!”
Bedford lad Taylor leads new signings
Bedford Town’s preparation for the new season is beginning to pick up pace, with retained players such as captain, Ryan Blake, influential midfielder, Elliot Simmons and Lobjoit’s attacking partner, Eddie Panter already announced by the Eagles amongst others.
Defender Carl Mensah has also committed to another season at The Eyrie.
Also announced this evening (3 June) was the new signing of defender, Greg Taylor from King’s Lynn Town.
Born in Bedford, Taylor, 35, went on to forge a storied Football League career with a total of 470 Football League and National League appearances including at Luton Town, Cambridge United and Northampton Town.
“Absolutely no hiding from it, Greg is a massive signing for us and one I’m sure will surprise a few”, said Bircham.
“His career to date has been nothing short of exceptional and also has the vital National League North experience that we’ll need from the last two seasons.
“It’s an added bonus for us that Greg is from Bedford, and lives in Bedford, so it just gives it that extra special feel to him signing for the club. On top of that, he is a lovely fella and will be huge for the tight changing room we already have.”
Other signings include goalkeeper Dan Wilks moving from St Ives to The Eyrie as well as right back, Ellis Myles who joins from fellow promoted side, AFC Telford United.
The pre-season schedule is also almost complete with friendlies against sides such as Ware, Uxbridge and the now familiar trip to Somerset to face Taunton all confirmed as fans of non-league football await the fixture list for the 2025/26 season.
This article was updated at 19:05 on Tuesday 3 June to add reaction to new signing, Greg Taylor.
