Bedford Town manager, Lee Bircham has said, “the owners have done the right thing” in a post-match interview after talks of a merger between the Eagles and Real Bedford was announced on Friday (17 January).
The local non-league football world was thrown into uncharted territory as Bedford Independent broke the news that both Bedford Town and Real Bedford had entered “detailed negotiations” to unify their two clubs into a single entity and “transform football in Bedford”.
Read: Bedford Town and Real Bedford in merger talks to “transform football in Bedford”
“Not sustainable”
After Bedford Town’s 2-1 victory at St Ives on Saturday (18 January), manager Lee Bircham was interviewed by Eagles TV with the topic of the proposed merger inevitably coming up.
“My personal opinion, it’s the only solution for the football club, it’s the right solution for the football club. Our budget is not sustainable, I think that’s been proven. We can’t compete at this level, eventually you’ll get relegated.
“The owners have done the right thing. Jon Taylor is the best man I’ve worked for in football and he loves this football club and he gets my total backing.
“Whatever happens to us, we’ve had a brilliant season. If this is the last Bedford Town team, we want to represent it really well.
“This won’t be for [Jon Taylor’s] benefit, it’ll be for this football club’s benefit. It’s the only solution.
“We’re not giving up on the season that’s for sure!”
Tradition vs Rebrand
Local football fans, especially those of Bedford Town, were quick to weigh in with their opinions of what a potential merger could mean for the town.
One fan labelled a potential merger as “criminal”.
“The name Bedford Town has been around since the late 1800s and to throw all of that history away in favour of a modern rebrand that doesn’t have any respect for the tradition or history of this town would be criminal”, says Bedford Town fan, Phil Lane.
“If this merger goes ahead, I feel the history and tradition must be preserved at all costs and to keep the name, identity and colours of Bedford Town FC”, he added.
Other local football fans are however, welcoming the potential merger.
“This merger has the potential to be truly special for Bedford,” said local football podcaster, Christopher Allan.
“It combines the ambition and innovation of Real Bedford with the heritage and tradition of Bedford Town.
“If these two elements can be successfully brought together, creating the perfect fusion of football clubs, we could have something extraordinary – something for this town to be incredibly proud of for years to come.
“This is far from the end of Bedford Town, its a new beginning.
“This is Bedford Town 2.0, a transformation from a non-league football team into something highly ambitious, efficient and truly extraordinary”, added Allan.
“Wild speculation”
Peter McCormack, co-owner of Real Bedford FC, was quick to jump to the defence of the Bedford Town ownership at the weekend as comments on social media labelled the proposition as “shameful” and “extremely disappointing”.
“First, there’s been some wild speculation about Jon Taylor and this being about money”, said McCormack.
“Let me be blunt: the idea that the Directors of Bedford Town are trying to cash in is nonsense.
“These are people who’ve spent years keeping the club alive by funding it out of their own pockets. Football is a brutal business, and they’ve done this without expecting any financial return.
“They deserve credit for that, not baseless accusations.”
Other fans were more melancholy on the news with one supporter, who has been attending matches at The Eyrie for well over 40 years, merely hoping that the Bedford Town name survives.
“To me, the name Bedford Town is important if [the] merger goes ahead”, said the Eagles fan who wanted to remain anonymous.
“I went to my first game in 1980 and was devastated when the original Bedford Town folded in 1982. It would be incredibly sad if the name disappeared again.”
Both clubs intend on hosting a joint fan forum at Bedford Town FC where they say it will provide an opportunity to “present our vision for the future of football in Bedford” as well as address any questions or concerns from supporters of both clubs.
Details of what the merger means in practice are few and far between at this stage, but both clubs told the Bedford Independent they are, “committed to ensuring that these decisions are shaped in consultation with both sets of fans”.
The international factor
What makes Real Bedford especially unique to other non-league clubs at steps three and four is their growing international fanbase.
Due to foundations in Bitcoin, (all of a $4.5m investment from the Winklevoss twins was paid in Bitcoin), the club has attracted a fanbase from across the world, particularly in the United States.
Speaking to Bedford Independent from Ohio, Real Bedford fan, Alex Lipovsky says he’d like to keep the Eagles nickname, and mix the blue and orange kits.
“I was made aware of the club because of Bitcoin”, says Alex.
“The fact they streamed every game in the first season was massive; it was so fun to see the game played in these tiny complexes which is so different from anything we have here Stateside.
“It would be my preference to do our own thing. Compete with them directly, beat them and leave them in the dust. Unlike Peter, who I believe truly wants what is best for Bedford.
“If they must merge, hopefully they find a way to do so that works. I’d keep the Eagles and mix the blue with the orange. I don’t know if that would appease those supporting Bedford Town though.
“Whatever it turns out to be, it’ll still be a Bitcoin club. If those backers disappear, they’ll just be a snap non-league club. Will Town fans get behind that?
“Americans often quote Al Davis: “Just win baby”.
The season continues…
One thing both sides continue to do is win.
Amongst the backdrop of merger talks, a Southern League campaign continues and the Eagles players proved on Saturday that their focus remains on the pitch as they continue their assault on the seventh tier play-offs.
Real Bedford were also winners as they remained top of Southern League Central Division One with a 3-1 victory against Leverstock Green.
Read: Bedford Town and Real Bedford put aside merger talks to win in Southern League
Bedford Town remain in the final play-off spot of Southern League Premier Central with games in hand on those around them, ahead of another key game at Stourbridge on Tuesday night (21 January).
Real Bedford next travel to Welwyn Garden City on Saturday 25 January.
