We continue our summer study of the clubs joining us in National League North for 2025/26 and today we’re casting out eye over a brand new opponent for Moors…

How did they get here?
Bedford Town’s glorious promotion as title-winners of the Southern League Premier Central was hailed as “totally unexpected” after their 2-0 win over Stourbridge on the final day.

It secured a second successive elevation for The Eagles, whose manager Lee Bircham admitted afterwards that the club’s ambition for 2024/25 was simply to stave off relegation.

Instead, the momentum created from their promotion the previous year, carried on into the new campaign and now they find themselves planning for a new campaign in National League North.

Talk of a merger between Town and Real Bedford – who also won promotion last term – has yet to come to fruition and, for now at least, they will continue to play in their current guise in 2025/26.

Where do they play?
The New Eyrie has been home to Bedford Town since it was built back in 1993 and boasts a capacity of 3,000.

Upon their reformation in 1989, The Eagles played on public pitches in Queens Park before finding the land on Cardington Road to construct their new stadium.

Who is in charge?
Manager Lee Bircham has committed his future to Bedford Town after guiding the club to historic back-to-back promotions up to National League North.

Following their title success, Bircham has been in discussions with the Board, and it was announced a few weeks ago that an agreement had been reached for him to extend his contract to 2027.

He has been in charge at The New Eyrie since May 2023 and previously gained management experience during spells at Leighton Town, Bovingdon, Berkhamstead and Hemel Hemstead.

When did we last meet?
This season will represent the first competitive meeting between the two clubs.

Photo Credit: Bedford Independent