1st XV News

The Blues fixture list is almost complete after the draw to determine which British & Irish Cup Pool the Welsh participant clubs will compete in during was made at a meeting of the Principality Premiership clubs this week.
 
Bedford Blues, Doncaster Knights and Cornish Pirates will be joined in Pool 4 by the winner of the Newport Gwent Dragons regional play-off which will be contested by Bedwas, Cross Keys, Ebbw Vale and Newport on Saturday 30 August and Saturday 6 September.
 

Bedford Blues are pleased to announce that Gareth Alred has been appointed as Operations Manager at the Goldington Road club.

Alred, who will replace Andy Irvine from Monday 7th July, has a wealth of Championship Rugby off-field experience having carried out similar roles in Commercial, Marketing and Media positions at both Doncaster Knights and Jersey.

The 25 year-old Welshman also has experience of top flight rugby clubs following an early stint at Newport Gwent Dragons during his university studies, but will arrive in Bedford after a short period with Channel Islands airline, Blue Islands.

The Bedford Blues players returned to pre-season training this week and were immediately put through their paces by new Strength and Conditioning Coach Andrew Petts.

The lads could have been forgiven for thinking that they would be eased back into things but within minutes of introductions the players were being sent on sprints, wrestling one another, taking on the watt bike and putting on the gloves for a boxing challenge – and all of this before a ball was even touched.

Following confirmation of the new structure, the 2014-15 British & Irish Cup fixtures have been unveiled with Bedford Blues finding themselves in Pool Four alongside Cornish Pirates, Doncaster Knights and Wales 1.
 
Played across five pools, each with four teams, the English, Irish and Welsh clubs making up this year's British & Irish Cup will begin the new season campaign during the second weekend of October (10/11/12).

Bedford Blues will kick off their 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship campaign with a trip to Nottingham on the opening weekend.

The Blues fans only have to wait a week for competitive rugby to return to Goldington Road as Bedford play host to Rotherham on Saturday 13th September (TBC) and they will also note that the away trip to Jersey falls on St Valentine's Day - a perfect opportunity to take your loved one away for the weekend.

Bedford Blues fans will be back at Goldington Road on Saturday morning as they carry out the fourth tidy-up session ahead of the 2014/15 Championship season. 

Following successful sessions members of Bedford Blues Followers Association will be at the ground from 8.30am and are looking for other fans to join them as they continue in the clean up of Goldington Road.

As with last weekend, gardening gloves are advisable and please bring any small garden tools that you may have that could be of use.

Bedford Blues preparations for the 2014/15 Greene King IPA Championship season have continued with the addition of two new faces to the Goldington Road club.

Back row forward Josh Buggea, 20, has signed on from Worcester Warriors and brings plenty of strength and enthusiasm to he pack.

Nuneaton-born Josh started playing rugby at 11 years old when he went to Bablake in Coventry - the school that helped to produce 1974 British & Irish Lion Geoff Evans and recent England fly half Shane Geraghty.

The 2014-15 British & Irish Cup structure and fixture dates have been unveiled today (Friday 13 June). Following discussion among all four Unions, four Principality Premiership teams will continue to represent Wales in the competition, joining the 12 clubs of the Greene King IPA Championship as well as four provincial teams from Ireland. Due to changes in the competition dates for the forthcoming season, the Scottish Rugby Union (SRU) has confirmed that Scottish clubs will not participate in the 2014-15 competition. As a result, this season's competition will move from 24 teams to 20, playing in five pools of four.

The funds raised by the Friends of the Blues make a huge difference to the Club. Around £25,000 is raised every year. If you are not a member, now is a great time to join. Membership is from £7 a month, to as much as you wish, and gives you chances in every home league draw and the special draws for special prizes. So far members have won over one hundred restaurant meals, weekends with the Blues in Paris, Jersey and Newcastle. Flights to European cities with Monarch Airlines and many other prizes including cash prizes up to £1,000.

To ensure that as many Bedford Blues fans as possible are able to take advantage of the discounted early prices for Bedford Blues Season Tickets, the club have extended the deadline for applications.

The Benefits of a season ticket include, Cheapest way to see all the Blues HOME league stage matches and only way to GUARANTEE your seat

You can bring a FRIEND FOR FREE to a match or use your 10% DISCOUNT in the Club Shop for ADULT season tickets

Enjoy a FREE Hospitality Lunch at selected matches in the marquee