Bedford Blues
Encyclopedia
Bedford Blues is a rugby union club in the town of Bedford
, England
, currently playing in The RFU Championship
. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football
club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The Blues are a semi-pro team, with a mix of experienced and young players. The Blues are coached by Mike Rayer. Rayer, an ex-player of the club and Cardiff, has introduced a free-flowing style which saw Bedford rise to 2nd in the league in 2006, only held back by the dominance of Harlequins
, who had been demoted from the Premiership the year before.
New players such as Emyr Lewis (now at Plymouth), Liam Roberts and Alex Page have added a new vigour whilst existing talents such as Matt Allen,Matt Volland,Arthur Brenton, Nic Strauss and Chris Johnson have continued to play in a way that won them the Powergen Shield
in 2005. The 2006 season has seen the commencement of a relationship with Leicester Tigers
, the prominent Premiership side, which allows some of Leicester's most promising young players to gain experience by playing for Bedford in National Division One. In the next five years it is hoped that 50% of the clubs players will have been brought into the squad through the Academy and youth teams. The 2006/2007 Academy Colts became champions of the English Colts Club Knockout Cup
after beating Redruth at Franklin's Gardens. 07/08 season saw the Colts win the cup again. Being the first Colts team to retain the cup.
The end of the 07/08 season saw many big Bedford names move on. Notably Alex Page (leaving for full time employment out of rugby); Ben Patston move to Cambridge; James Hinkins move to Cambridge, Matt Allen move to Luton, and other players who are yet to advertise where they are moving to, such as, Bruno Fortuna, John Phillips, Arthur Brenton, Nic Strauss and Jon Elrick.
and Bedford Modern School
, and both had fixtures with the leading teams of the period. The Bedford colours of dark and light blue are believed to be a reflection of the schoolmasters association with Oxbridge
and the full badge colours are based on the strip of Swifts (black) and Rovers (cerise).
Under the captaincy of Alfred Parrott, a Bedford Modern School master, the new club made an auspicious start, losing only once in its first season (to Leicester
) and again only once in its second (to a composite London XV). The early successes, however, paled before the achievements of 1893-94, when the club's reputation persuaded opponents of the stature of Stade Francais, from Paris
, and the Barbarians to make the journey over. These two distinguished teams suffered the fate of all other visitors to the club's ground in that marvelous season, defeated by scores of 22-0 and 7-3 respectively in front of huge crowds. Indeed, the Club would complete its normal programme unbeaten, only to lose when somewhat understrength, in an extra match arranged as an Easter Monday attraction at Coventry (0-12). The season's final record was 29 played, 27 won, one drawn and one lost, with 521 points and only 49 against. Records created that season stood for many years and winger H.M Morris still holds the highest try-scoring tally with 38 scores in a season.
While the success on the playing field had been good there was often a problem of where to play at home. There were two main sites where pitches could be made available. One was known as 'The House of Industry' ground in Goldington Road. This was the field in front of the House of Industry -now known as the North Wing Hospital. This is approximately where Bedford play now. The other site was known as Midland Road Ground, an area near the Queen's Park railway bridge.
The first matches in 1886-87 were in Goldington Road - where the Bedford Swifts had played - but during the next few seasons several pitches near the railway station were used. It was recorded in local papers at the time that at least one game was played in the field where Queens Works now stands. The railway and industry required this land and Bedford Rugby returned to the Goldington Road area before an agreement in 1895 was reached with Bedford Cricket Club who actually held the lease. The pitch was laid out in virtually the same spot as it is now.
The club's record prior to 1905 was good enough to bring the all Blacks to the town for the first time. The match itself was a great attraction with the town's schools and factories closing for the half day to enable people to attend. The result - 0-41 to New Zealand - was similar to the fate that most club sides suffered in their successful tour. Only Wales beat them.
In the seasons immediately preceding World War I the fixture list grew stronger, and the club lost only one game in 1913-14. The facilities had also improved. With a better playing arena, the first stand had been erected in 1905 and in 1910 a new pavilion was built. At that time it was considered one of the best rugby club pavilions in the country. The fact that it is still standing (now known as the 'Scrumhall' bar) is proof of the quality of workmanship and materials.
The First World War threatened the club's existence when the ground was taken over by the Military Authorities for use as an Army Camp. Things did improve very quickly and by the late twenties and early thirties Bedford once again were at the top. Even today some older supporters consider this the club's best ever period - practically every member of the team in 1938-39 was very close to international honours. Further improvements had been made at the ground, the biggest being the stand opened in 1933 which is still in use today.
The club recovered again after the Second World War and continued to play all the leading clubs and had a great spell in the mid sixties. There were three Bedford players regularly in the England team with David Perry
and Budge Rogers
captaining their county. In 1969-70 season Bedford won the Sunday Telegraph English-Welsh rugby union table. Probably, the Blues finest hour was in 1975 when Bedford, captained by Budge Rogers beat Rosslyn Park
in the final of the Knock Out Cup (now Tetley Bitter Cup) at Twickenham
28-12. There was a gate of nearly 18,000 which at the time was a record attendance.
Unfortunately this achievement did not continue with the club having little success resulting in many players with great potential leaving he club. There were bright moments such as John Orwin
captaining the England touring party to Australia and Fiji in 1988. When the leagues were introduced in 1987-88 Bedford were in Division 2, promoted to Division 1 in 1989 but relegated immediately to finish in Division 3 for a period.
(the boxing promoter) and Sports Network putting in a big investment to secure quality players, many of whom were internationally famous, while others were young but promising. The best example is probably Scott Murray who is now Scotland's most capped international. At the second attempt Bedford easily won the Allied Dunbar Division 2 Championship in 1998 and were promoted to Division 1 and were runners up in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Cup. Financial problems with the club's owners resulted in the club losing many players but there was a nucleus that remained loyal. The Club Coach and Director of Rugby also left.
is the home ground of the Bedford Blues, with a capacity of 6000, usually drawing 2000+people with each home game. Towards the end of the 05-06 season, 2 new temporary stands were built for the big home tie against Harlequins, at one point these stands were made a long term part of the stadium, along with the grounds public house and original stand. As of the 06/07 season the extra stands have been removed.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4474806660_2bd7a91b91_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3348210858_27c348ac2f.jpg?v=0
http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/bedsonsunday-sport-bedfordrufc/images/1%28269%29%2Dwidth300%2Ejpg
since at least 2007 and is sponsored by three companies; The front of the team shirt by Autoglass, the sleeves by Wells Bombardier
and the back by Lifesure insurance.
2010 Bedford Blues Home Shirt
https://www.medocmall.co.uk/images/theclubshop_bedford_tickets/products/large/KSSHIRT.gif
.
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! colspan=12 style="border-right:0px;"; | BEDFORD RUGBY CLUB LEAGUE HISTORY
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Year
! League
! Level
! Position
! Other
|-
|| 1987-1988 || Courage League Division Two
|| 2 || 5th || -
|-
|| 1988-1989 || Courage League Division Two
|| 2 || 2nd (P) || Promoted to Division One
|-
|| 1989-1990 || Courage League Division One
|| 1 || 12th || Relegated to Division Two
|-
|| 1990-1991 || Courage League Division Two
|| 2 || 8th || -
|-
|| 1991-1992 || Courage League Division Two
|| 2 || 10th || -
|-
|| 1992-1993 || Courage League Division Two
|| 2 || 7th || Relegated to Division Three
|-
|| 1993-1994 || Courage League Division Three || 3 || 3rd || -
|-
|| 1994-1995 || Courage League Division Three || 3 || 1st || Promoted to Division Two
|-
|| 1995-1996 || Courage League Division Two
|| 2 || 9th place || -
|-
|| 1996-1997 || Courage League Division Two
|| 2 || 4th Place || -
|-
|| 1997-1998 || Allied Dunbar Premiership Division Two
|| 2 || 1st Place || Promoted to Allied Dunbar Premiership
|-
|| 1998-1999 || Allied Dunbar Premiership
|| 1 || 13th Place || -
|-
|| 1999-2000 || Allied Dunbar Premiership
|| 1 || 12th Place || Relegated back to National Division One
|-
|| 2000-2001 || National Division One
|| 2 || 11th Place || -
|-
|| 2001-2002 || National Division One
|| 2 || 6th Place || -
|-
|| 2002-2003 || National Division One
|| 2 || 7th Place || -
|-
|| 2003-2004 || National Division One
|| 2 || 7th Place || -
|-
|| 2004-2005 || National Division One
|| 2 || 7th Place || Powergen Shield Winners
|-
|| 2005-2006 || National Division One
|| 2 || 2nd Place || Powergen National Trophy Runners Up
|-
|| 2006-2007 || National Division One
|| 2 || 7th place || -
|-
|| 2007-2008 || National Division One
|| 2 || 6th place || -
|-
|| 2008-2009 || National Division One
|| 2 || 3rd place || -
|-
|| 2009-2010 || RFU Championship
|| 2 || 4th place (SF) || RFU Championship Play-Off Semi Finalists
|-
|| 2010-2011 || RFU Championship
|| 2 || 2nd place (L) 4th place (SF) || RFU Championship Play-Off Semi Finalists, British and Irish Cup Runners Up
|}
(from
Saracens
) Neil Cochrane (from Doncaster Knights) Jonathon Fisher
(from London Irish
) Billy Johnson (from Hertford) Mark Kohler (from Luton
) Jamie Lennard (from London Irish
) Stefan Liebenberg (from Old Albanians) Sam Pailor (from 
Pontypool
) Ricky Reeves (from Cambridge
) Jake Sharp (from Saracens
) Nico Steenkamp (from Rotherham Titans) Henry Staff (from Saracens
) David Vincent (from Barking
)
Esher
) Will Chudley (to Newcastle Falcons
) Joe Clark (unattached) Myles Dorrian (to Exeter Chiefs
) Chris Goodman
(to Esher
) Laurence Ovens (to Rosslyn Park
) Dan Richmond (to Rosslyn Park
) Duncan Taylor (to Saracens
) Edd Thrower
(to London Welsh) Nick Walshe
(to England Under-20s (Assistant Coach)
)
Bedford
Bedford is the county town of Bedfordshire, in the East of England. It is a large town and the administrative centre for the wider Borough of Bedford. According to the former Bedfordshire County Council's estimates, the town had a population of 79,190 in mid 2005, with 19,720 in the adjacent town...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, currently playing in The RFU Championship
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
. Bedford is one of the largest towns in England without a league football
League football
League football may refer to:*The sport of rugby league football*The four fully professional divisions of English football, as opposed to semi-professional and amateur non-league football. See English football league system....
club, and one of the few towns in England where the rugby club is better supported than the football team. The Blues are a semi-pro team, with a mix of experienced and young players. The Blues are coached by Mike Rayer. Rayer, an ex-player of the club and Cardiff, has introduced a free-flowing style which saw Bedford rise to 2nd in the league in 2006, only held back by the dominance of Harlequins
Harlequin F.C.
The Harlequin Football Club is an English rugby union team who play in the top level of English rugby, the Aviva Premiership. Their ground in London is Twickenham Stoop...
, who had been demoted from the Premiership the year before.
New players such as Emyr Lewis (now at Plymouth), Liam Roberts and Alex Page have added a new vigour whilst existing talents such as Matt Allen,Matt Volland,Arthur Brenton, Nic Strauss and Chris Johnson have continued to play in a way that won them the Powergen Shield
Powergen National Trophy
The EDF National Trophy was a cup competition which ran from 2006 to 2009 for the 118 clubs of the Rugby Football Union from National Division One and below. Previously these teams had played in the Powergen Cup, but were excluded from that cup under a new format adopted for the 2005/06 season...
in 2005. The 2006 season has seen the commencement of a relationship with Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers
Leicester Tigers is an English rugby union club that plays in the Aviva Premiership.Leicester are the most successful English club since the introduction of league rugby in 1987, a record 9 times English champions - 3 more than either Bath or Wasps, the last of which was in 2010...
, the prominent Premiership side, which allows some of Leicester's most promising young players to gain experience by playing for Bedford in National Division One. In the next five years it is hoped that 50% of the clubs players will have been brought into the squad through the Academy and youth teams. The 2006/2007 Academy Colts became champions of the English Colts Club Knockout Cup
English Colts Club Knockout Cup
The English Clubs Knockout Cup or The National Colts Cup is a Nationwide competition for English Rugby union Clubs Colts teams. The competition is a straight knock-out competition that is organised by the East Midlands Rugby Union...
after beating Redruth at Franklin's Gardens. 07/08 season saw the Colts win the cup again. Being the first Colts team to retain the cup.
The end of the 07/08 season saw many big Bedford names move on. Notably Alex Page (leaving for full time employment out of rugby); Ben Patston move to Cambridge; James Hinkins move to Cambridge, Matt Allen move to Luton, and other players who are yet to advertise where they are moving to, such as, Bruno Fortuna, John Phillips, Arthur Brenton, Nic Strauss and Jon Elrick.
History
Bedford RUFC was founded in 1886 after an amalgamation between Bedford Rovers (1876) and Bedford Swifts (1882). Both parent clubs had close connections with Bedford SchoolBedford School
Bedford School is not to be confused with Bedford Modern School or Bedford High School or Old Bedford School in Bedford, TexasBedford School is an HMC independent school for boys located in the town of Bedford, England, United Kingdom...
and Bedford Modern School
Bedford Modern School
Bedford Modern School is a British co-educational independent school in the Harpur area of Bedford, in the county of Bedfordshire, in England.Bedford Modern comprises a junior school and a senior school...
, and both had fixtures with the leading teams of the period. The Bedford colours of dark and light blue are believed to be a reflection of the schoolmasters association with Oxbridge
Oxbridge
Oxbridge is a portmanteau of the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge in England, and the term is now used to refer to them collectively, often with implications of perceived superior social status...
and the full badge colours are based on the strip of Swifts (black) and Rovers (cerise).
Under the captaincy of Alfred Parrott, a Bedford Modern School master, the new club made an auspicious start, losing only once in its first season (to Leicester
Leicester
Leicester is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England, and the county town of Leicestershire. The city lies on the River Soar and at the edge of the National Forest...
) and again only once in its second (to a composite London XV). The early successes, however, paled before the achievements of 1893-94, when the club's reputation persuaded opponents of the stature of Stade Francais, from Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, and the Barbarians to make the journey over. These two distinguished teams suffered the fate of all other visitors to the club's ground in that marvelous season, defeated by scores of 22-0 and 7-3 respectively in front of huge crowds. Indeed, the Club would complete its normal programme unbeaten, only to lose when somewhat understrength, in an extra match arranged as an Easter Monday attraction at Coventry (0-12). The season's final record was 29 played, 27 won, one drawn and one lost, with 521 points and only 49 against. Records created that season stood for many years and winger H.M Morris still holds the highest try-scoring tally with 38 scores in a season.
While the success on the playing field had been good there was often a problem of where to play at home. There were two main sites where pitches could be made available. One was known as 'The House of Industry' ground in Goldington Road. This was the field in front of the House of Industry -now known as the North Wing Hospital. This is approximately where Bedford play now. The other site was known as Midland Road Ground, an area near the Queen's Park railway bridge.
The first matches in 1886-87 were in Goldington Road - where the Bedford Swifts had played - but during the next few seasons several pitches near the railway station were used. It was recorded in local papers at the time that at least one game was played in the field where Queens Works now stands. The railway and industry required this land and Bedford Rugby returned to the Goldington Road area before an agreement in 1895 was reached with Bedford Cricket Club who actually held the lease. The pitch was laid out in virtually the same spot as it is now.
The club's record prior to 1905 was good enough to bring the all Blacks to the town for the first time. The match itself was a great attraction with the town's schools and factories closing for the half day to enable people to attend. The result - 0-41 to New Zealand - was similar to the fate that most club sides suffered in their successful tour. Only Wales beat them.
In the seasons immediately preceding World War I the fixture list grew stronger, and the club lost only one game in 1913-14. The facilities had also improved. With a better playing arena, the first stand had been erected in 1905 and in 1910 a new pavilion was built. At that time it was considered one of the best rugby club pavilions in the country. The fact that it is still standing (now known as the 'Scrumhall' bar) is proof of the quality of workmanship and materials.
The First World War threatened the club's existence when the ground was taken over by the Military Authorities for use as an Army Camp. Things did improve very quickly and by the late twenties and early thirties Bedford once again were at the top. Even today some older supporters consider this the club's best ever period - practically every member of the team in 1938-39 was very close to international honours. Further improvements had been made at the ground, the biggest being the stand opened in 1933 which is still in use today.
The club recovered again after the Second World War and continued to play all the leading clubs and had a great spell in the mid sixties. There were three Bedford players regularly in the England team with David Perry
David Perry (rugby player)
David Gordon Perry is a former international rugby union player and captain.Perry was capped fifteen times for England between 1963 and 1966, making thirteen appearances at number eight and two at lock...
and Budge Rogers
Budge Rogers
Derek Prior "Budge" Rogers OBE is a former rugby union player who captained Bedford and played at international level for both and the British Lions....
captaining their county. In 1969-70 season Bedford won the Sunday Telegraph English-Welsh rugby union table. Probably, the Blues finest hour was in 1975 when Bedford, captained by Budge Rogers beat Rosslyn Park
Rosslyn Park F.C.
Rosslyn Park Football Club is a rugby union team. Founded in 1879, the club became the first club based in England to play rugby internationally when it faced Stade Francais in Paris on 18 April 1892. In 1912, the club played in Prague, Budapest and Vienna in the first rugby matches ever played in...
in the final of the Knock Out Cup (now Tetley Bitter Cup) at Twickenham
Twickenham Stadium
Twickenham Stadium is a stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. It is the largest rugby union stadium in the United Kingdom and has recently been enlarged to seat 82,000...
28-12. There was a gate of nearly 18,000 which at the time was a record attendance.
Unfortunately this achievement did not continue with the club having little success resulting in many players with great potential leaving he club. There were bright moments such as John Orwin
John Orwin
John Orwin is a former Rugby union lock.He captained on the ill fated tour to Australia in 1988.-External links:* * *...
captaining the England touring party to Australia and Fiji in 1988. When the leagues were introduced in 1987-88 Bedford were in Division 2, promoted to Division 1 in 1989 but relegated immediately to finish in Division 3 for a period.
The professional era
At the start of the 1996-97 season when 'The Blues' were in Division 2 the club turned professional. Frank WarrenFrank Warren (promoter)
Frank Darren Warren is an English boxing manager and promoter.-Early life and early career:The son of a bookmaker, Warren trained as a solicitor's clerk with J Tickle & Co on Southampton Row in London....
(the boxing promoter) and Sports Network putting in a big investment to secure quality players, many of whom were internationally famous, while others were young but promising. The best example is probably Scott Murray who is now Scotland's most capped international. At the second attempt Bedford easily won the Allied Dunbar Division 2 Championship in 1998 and were promoted to Division 1 and were runners up in the Cheltenham & Gloucester Cup. Financial problems with the club's owners resulted in the club losing many players but there was a nucleus that remained loyal. The Club Coach and Director of Rugby also left.
The decline
In April 1999 Sports Network sold the club to Jefferson Lloyd International but this was a financial disaster resulting in Bedford losing further staff. The club was about to be sold and moved from the town, which would have meant the end of first class rugby in Bedford. Following intervention by the RFU in October 1999 a consortium of Bedford businessmen headed by David Ledsom (SDC), Geoff Irvine (Irvine-Whitlock) and David Gunner with assistance from Bedford Borough Council and other professional people, the transfer of the club to Bedford Blues Ltd. was organised. Several thousand supporters and businesses in the town bought shares and the club is now viable. The club is now sponsored by Charles Wells Brewery and many other local companies. Bedford have been playing on virtually the same pitch for over 100 years and 32 players have gained International honours while they were actually playing for the club at the time of being honoured.Goldington Road Stadium
Goldington RoadGoldington Road
Goldington Road is a rugby ground in Bedford, England. It is the home stadium of Bedford Blues. The stadium holds 6,000 people. The stadium also has two corporate boxes, "The Larry Web Room" and "The Lifesure Suite", which can cater for 12 to 20 people respectively in addition to "The Blues Marquee"...
is the home ground of the Bedford Blues, with a capacity of 6000, usually drawing 2000+people with each home game. Towards the end of the 05-06 season, 2 new temporary stands were built for the big home tie against Harlequins, at one point these stands were made a long term part of the stadium, along with the grounds public house and original stand. As of the 06/07 season the extra stands have been removed.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4066/4474806660_2bd7a91b91_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3348210858_27c348ac2f.jpg?v=0
http://www.bedfordshire-news.co.uk/bedsonsunday-sport-bedfordrufc/images/1%28269%29%2Dwidth300%2Ejpg
Kit
The club kit has been supplied by KoogaKooGa
KooGa is an Australia-based rugby apparel company. It was established in December 1999. The company is headquartered in Labrador on the Gold Coast of Queensland, with other Australian offices as well as a UK office in Rochdale, Greater Manchester....
since at least 2007 and is sponsored by three companies; The front of the team shirt by Autoglass, the sleeves by Wells Bombardier
Wells & Young's Brewery
Wells & Young's Brewery was formed in October 2006 from the merger of the brewing operations of Charles Wells Ltd and Young's Brewery. Charles Wells have a 60% stake and Young's 40%. Wells & Young's is now responsible for brewing, distributing and marketing Charles Wells' and Young & Co's brands...
and the back by Lifesure insurance.
2010 Bedford Blues Home Shirt
| Year | Supplier | Chest | Sleeves | Back |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| unknown | Gilbert | unknown | unknown | unknown |
| 2006-2008 | Kooga KooGa KooGa is an Australia-based rugby apparel company. It was established in December 1999. The company is headquartered in Labrador on the Gold Coast of Queensland, with other Australian offices as well as a UK office in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.... |
Autoglass | Wells Bombardier Wells & Young's Brewery Wells & Young's Brewery was formed in October 2006 from the merger of the brewing operations of Charles Wells Ltd and Young's Brewery. Charles Wells have a 60% stake and Young's 40%. Wells & Young's is now responsible for brewing, distributing and marketing Charles Wells' and Young & Co's brands... |
Lifesure |
| 2008-2010 | Kooga KooGa KooGa is an Australia-based rugby apparel company. It was established in December 1999. The company is headquartered in Labrador on the Gold Coast of Queensland, with other Australian offices as well as a UK office in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.... |
Autoglass | Wells Bombardier Wells & Young's Brewery Wells & Young's Brewery was formed in October 2006 from the merger of the brewing operations of Charles Wells Ltd and Young's Brewery. Charles Wells have a 60% stake and Young's 40%. Wells & Young's is now responsible for brewing, distributing and marketing Charles Wells' and Young & Co's brands... |
Lifesure |
| 2010-2011 | Kooga KooGa KooGa is an Australia-based rugby apparel company. It was established in December 1999. The company is headquartered in Labrador on the Gold Coast of Queensland, with other Australian offices as well as a UK office in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.... |
Autoglass | Wells Bombardier Wells & Young's Brewery Wells & Young's Brewery was formed in October 2006 from the merger of the brewing operations of Charles Wells Ltd and Young's Brewery. Charles Wells have a 60% stake and Young's 40%. Wells & Young's is now responsible for brewing, distributing and marketing Charles Wells' and Young & Co's brands... |
Lifesure |
| 2011-2014 | Zoo Sport Ltd | Autoglass | Wells Bombardier Wells & Young's Brewery Wells & Young's Brewery was formed in October 2006 from the merger of the brewing operations of Charles Wells Ltd and Young's Brewery. Charles Wells have a 60% stake and Young's 40%. Wells & Young's is now responsible for brewing, distributing and marketing Charles Wells' and Young & Co's brands... |
Lifesure |
Ladies Day
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and to support the charity Breast Cancer Care the Blues hold a yearly 'Ladies Day' home match at Goldington Road. The team wear a unique Kooga pink strip for the game with the playing shirts auctioned giving proceeds to Breast Cancer Care.https://www.medocmall.co.uk/images/theclubshop_bedford_tickets/products/large/KSSHIRT.gif
The Mobbs Memorial Match
Is held for Edgar Mobbs, who was killed in The First World War, at Goldington Road every year against the BarbariansBarbarian F.C.
The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain...
.
| Year | Home | Score | Away |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Bedford | Barbarians Barbarian F.C. The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain... |
|
| 2010 | Bedford | Barbarians Barbarian F.C. The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain... |
|
| 2011 | Bedford | 35-43 | Barbarians Barbarian F.C. The Barbarian Football Club, usually referred to as the Barbarians and nicknamed the "Baa-Baas", is an invitational rugby union team based in Britain... |
League history
{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0"|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! colspan=12 style="border-right:0px;"; | BEDFORD RUGBY CLUB LEAGUE HISTORY
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Year
! League
! Level
! Position
! Other
|-
|| 1987-1988 || Courage League Division Two
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 5th || -
|-
|| 1988-1989 || Courage League Division Two
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 2nd (P) || Promoted to Division One
|-
|| 1989-1990 || Courage League Division One
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
|| 1 || 12th || Relegated to Division Two
|-
|| 1990-1991 || Courage League Division Two
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 8th || -
|-
|| 1991-1992 || Courage League Division Two
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 10th || -
|-
|| 1992-1993 || Courage League Division Two
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 7th || Relegated to Division Three
|-
|| 1993-1994 || Courage League Division Three || 3 || 3rd || -
|-
|| 1994-1995 || Courage League Division Three || 3 || 1st || Promoted to Division Two
|-
|| 1995-1996 || Courage League Division Two
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 9th place || -
|-
|| 1996-1997 || Courage League Division Two
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 4th Place || -
|-
|| 1997-1998 || Allied Dunbar Premiership Division Two
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 1st Place || Promoted to Allied Dunbar Premiership
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
|-
|| 1998-1999 || Allied Dunbar Premiership
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
|| 1 || 13th Place || -
|-
|| 1999-2000 || Allied Dunbar Premiership
Guinness Premiership
The English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
|| 1 || 12th Place || Relegated back to National Division One
|-
|| 2000-2001 || National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 11th Place || -
|-
|| 2001-2002 || National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 6th Place || -
|-
|| 2002-2003 || National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 7th Place || -
|-
|| 2003-2004 || National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 7th Place || -
|-
|| 2004-2005 || National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 7th Place || Powergen Shield Winners
Powergen National Trophy
The EDF National Trophy was a cup competition which ran from 2006 to 2009 for the 118 clubs of the Rugby Football Union from National Division One and below. Previously these teams had played in the Powergen Cup, but were excluded from that cup under a new format adopted for the 2005/06 season...
|-
|| 2005-2006 || National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 2nd Place || Powergen National Trophy Runners Up
Powergen National Trophy
The EDF National Trophy was a cup competition which ran from 2006 to 2009 for the 118 clubs of the Rugby Football Union from National Division One and below. Previously these teams had played in the Powergen Cup, but were excluded from that cup under a new format adopted for the 2005/06 season...
|-
|| 2006-2007 || National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 7th place || -
|-
|| 2007-2008 || National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 6th place || -
|-
|| 2008-2009 || National Division One
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 3rd place || -
|-
|| 2009-2010 || RFU Championship
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 4th place (SF) || RFU Championship Play-Off Semi Finalists
|-
|| 2010-2011 || RFU Championship
RFU Championship
The RFU Championship replaced National Division One as the second tier in the English rugby union system in September 2009. Unlike National Division One, which is semi-professional, the RFU Championship is a fully professional league.-History:...
|| 2 || 2nd place (L) 4th place (SF) || RFU Championship Play-Off Semi Finalists, British and Irish Cup Runners Up
British and Irish Cup
The British and Irish Cup is a semi-professional northern hemisphere rugby union competition. It took place for the first time in the 2009/10 season...
|}
Current squad
Players In 2011-12
Don BarrellDonald Barrell
Donald Barrell is a rugby union player for Saracens in the Guinness Premiership. Barrell's position of choice is as a Flanker or No. 8.-Career:...
(from
SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
) Neil Cochrane (from
Doncaster Knights) Jonathon FisherJon Fisher (rugby union)
Jonathan Fisher is a rugby union player for Bedford Blues. He plays as a No 8.#He was a member of the England Under 20 team that reached the final of the 2008 JWC...
(from
London IrishLondon Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
) Billy Johnson (from
Hertford) Mark Kohler (from LutonLuton Rugby Club
Luton Rugby Football Club are a Bedfordshire based English rugby union team who currently play their rugby in National League 3 South-East. Their ground is located by the M1 motorway just outside Stockwood Park and is called Newlands Road....
) Jamie Lennard (from
London IrishLondon Irish
London Irish RFC is an English rugby union club based in Sunbury, Surrey, where the senior squad train, the youth teams and senior academy play home games, and the club maintain their administrative offices. The senior squad play home games at the Madejski Stadium in Reading and compete in the top...
) Stefan Liebenberg (from
Old Albanians) Sam Pailor (from PontypoolPontypool RFC
Pontypool Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team based in the town of Pontypool. Pontypool RFC has a long history within Welsh rugby and is one of the most notable clubs, being present at the formation of the Welsh Rugby Union in 1881, but disbanding before the turn of the 19th century...
) Ricky Reeves (from
CambridgeCambridge R.U.F.C.
Cambridge Rugby Union Football Club or CRUFC is a rugby union club representing the city of Cambridge, England. Formed in 1923 the club currently competes in National League 1...
) Jake Sharp (from
SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
) Nico Steenkamp (from
Rotherham Titans) Henry Staff (from SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
) David Vincent (from
BarkingBarking RFC
Barking RFC is an English rugby union team currently playing in National League 1.- Park Modern Old Boys:The club was founded in 1930, under the name of Park Modern Old Boys. In 1926 the Park Modern School in Barking was founded and the headmaster decided that the school would play rugby, despite...
)
Players Out 2011-12
Robin Boot (to EsherEsher RFC
Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club....
) Will Chudley (to
Newcastle FalconsNewcastle Falcons
The Newcastle Falcons is an English rugby union team currently playing in the Aviva Premiership. The club was established in 1877 and played under the name of Gosforth Football Club until 1990. The name was then changed to Newcastle Gosforth and the club began to play at Kingston Park stadium in...
) Joe Clark (unattached) Myles Dorrian (to
Exeter ChiefsExeter Chiefs
Exeter Rugby Club are a rugby union club based in Exeter, Devon.The Exeter club was formed around 1871 and played its first match in 1873. The first team has been rebranded as the Exeter Chiefs and play in a strip of Black , White ....
) Chris Goodman
Chris Goodman
Chris Goodman is a rugby union player for Bedford Blues in the Guinness Championship.Chris attended King Edward's School, Bath until the age of 18, and was 1st XV captain as No. 8...
(to
EsherEsher RFC
Esher Rugby Football Club is a rugby union club based in Surrey, England. Esher RFC are currently playing in the second division of the English league system, The Championship. The club was formed in 1923 when four rugby enthusiasts agreed to start a club....
) Laurence Ovens (to
Rosslyn ParkRosslyn Park F.C.
Rosslyn Park Football Club is a rugby union team. Founded in 1879, the club became the first club based in England to play rugby internationally when it faced Stade Francais in Paris on 18 April 1892. In 1912, the club played in Prague, Budapest and Vienna in the first rugby matches ever played in...
) Dan Richmond (to
Rosslyn ParkRosslyn Park F.C.
Rosslyn Park Football Club is a rugby union team. Founded in 1879, the club became the first club based in England to play rugby internationally when it faced Stade Francais in Paris on 18 April 1892. In 1912, the club played in Prague, Budapest and Vienna in the first rugby matches ever played in...
) Duncan Taylor (to
SaracensSaracens F.C.
Saracens are a professional rugby union team based in St. Albans, England – although they play their home games at Vicarage Road, in Watford. They are currently members of the Aviva Premiership, the top level of domestic rugby union in England...
) Edd Thrower
Edd Thrower
Edd Thrower is an English rugby union footballer who plays at wing and fullback for London Welsh RFC. Thrower began his professional playing career in 2001 with Zurich Premiership side London Irish, where he spent three seasons...
(to
London Welsh) Nick WalsheNick Walshe
Nicholas Patrick James Walshe is a rugby union footballer who plays at scrum-half for Bedford Blues and England.Walshe moved from Saracens to Sale Sharks in 2002...
(to
England Under-20s (Assistant Coach)England national under-20 rugby union team
The England under 20 rugby team are the newest representative rugby union team from England. They replace the two former age grade teams Under 19's and Under 21's. They are coached by the RFU's National Academy Coach, Mark Mapletoft. Their first tournament was the 2008 IRB Junior World...
)
Internationally Capped Players
| Martin Bayfield Martin Bayfield Martin Christopher Bayfield is an English former rugby union footballer who played lock forward for Northampton Saints, Bedford Blues and England, gaining 31 England and 3 Lions caps.Bayfield was born in Bedford... (England England national rugby union team The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in... ) Charlie Harrison, (England England Saxons England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A... ) Andy Gomarsall Andy Gomarsall Andrew Charles Thomas Gomarsall MBE is a rugby union player who plays at scrum-half for Leeds Carnegie and England.He previously played for Gloucester Rugby, Bedford and Wasps... , (England England national rugby union team The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in... ) and (2003 World Cup Winner 2003 Rugby World Cup The 2003 Rugby World Cup was the fifth Rugby World Cup and was won by England. Originally planned to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, all games were shifted to Australia following a contractual dispute over ground signage rights between the New Zealand Rugby Football Union and Rugby World... ) Jeff Probyn Jeff Probyn Jeff Probyn is an English former Rugby Union player.The Askeans, Streatham and Wasps prop was selected in England's squad for the 1987 Rugby World Cup, but Probyn did not make his international debut until 1988, at the age of 31, against France... Paul Sackey Paul Sackey Paul Henry Sackey is an English rugby union footballer who currently plays at wing for Stade Français in the Top 14.As of 28 February 2009 he has 22 full England caps... (England England national rugby union team The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in... ) Rory Underwood Rory Underwood Rory Underwood MBE is a former English rugby union footballer who played wing for, most notably, Leicester Tigers and Bedford. He represented England and the British Lions and is a former Royal Air Force pilot.... , (England England national rugby union team The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in... ) and (British Lions British and Irish Lions The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales... ) Roy Winters Roy Winters Roy Winters is an English rugby union lock, currently playing in the RFU Championship for Bristol Rugby. He began his career playing for Haywards Heath RFC before becoming professional.... , (England England Saxons England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A... ) Tony Yapp, U21's Aadel Kardooni Aadel Kardooni Aadel Kardooni is a British-Iranian former professional rugby union player.He is the first and only Iranian rugby union player to ever play professionally.-Playing career:... , (England England Saxons England Saxons is the current name of England's men's second national rugby union team. The team has previously been known by a number of names, such as England B, Emerging England and, most recently, England A... )* |
Martin Offiah Martin Offiah Martin Offiah MBE is an English former rugby league and rugby union footballer.He is known as "Chariots" Offiah after the film Chariots of Fire... , (Great Britain Great Britain national rugby league team The Great Britain national rugby league team represents the United Kingdom in rugby league football. Administered by the Rugby Football League , the team is nicknamed "The Lions" or "Great Britain Lions".... ) Scott Murray, Scotland Scotland national rugby union team The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011... ) and (British Lions British and Irish Lions The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team made up of players from England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales... ) Soane Tonga'uiha Soane Tonga'uiha Soane Tonga'uiha is a Tongan-born, New Zealand-educated, rugby union player. He plays for Northampton Saints and internationally for Tonga. His position of choice is at loose-head prop and sometimes tight-head prop... (Tonga Tonga national rugby union team The Tonga national rugby union team is nicknamed Ikale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a war dance – the Kailao . They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance along with Fiji and Samoa... and Pacific Islanders Pacific Islanders rugby union team The Pacific Islanders rugby union team is an international rugby union team, started in 2004, that represents Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. While Niue and the Cook Islands are not members of the Pacific Tri-Nations competition, they did supply players to the squad for the Pacific Islanders' tour in 2004... ) Craig Moir Billy Steele William Steele (rugby player) William Charles Common Steele also known as Billy Steele, is a former Scotland international rugby union player.The first club he played for was Langholm RFC, in his hometown of Langholm in south west Scotland.... , 23 caps for (Scotland Scotland national rugby union team The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011... ) Clem Boyd, U21's Darragh O'Mahony Darragh O'Mahony Darragh O'Mahony is a rugby union player who played on the Wing for Moseley, Saracens and Ireland. O'Mahony joined Saracens from Bedford Blues in 1999 and was released by mutual consent in August 2004.-Notes:... (Ireland Ireland national rugby union team The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union... ) Mike Rayer Mike Rayer Michael 'Mike' Anthony Rayer is a former Wales international rugby union player. A full-back, he played his club rugby for Cardiff RFC and Bedford. He is currently coach to Bedford Blues. A talented and popular player, he played during a period where there was little success in Welsh rugby... (Wales Wales national rugby union team The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with... ) Paul Turner Paul Turner (rugby player) Paul Turner , is a former Wales international rugby union player and the former head coach of Welsh regional side Newport Gwent Dragons.- Playing career :... (Wales Wales national rugby union team The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with... ) |
Ben Alexander Ben Alexander (rugby union player) Ben Alexander is an Australian Rugby Union player. He plays first-tier, professional rugby for the Brumbies in the Super Rugby competition... (Australia Australia national rugby union team The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the... ) Alistair Murdoch (Australia Australia national rugby union team The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in rugby union. The national team is nicknamed the Wallabies and competes annually with New Zealand and South Africa in the Tri-Nations Series, in which they also contest the Bledisloe Cup with New Zealand and the... ) Gareth Rees (Canada Canada national rugby union team The Canada national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board as a tier two rugby nation. There are ten tier one nations, and seven tier two nations, the... ) Scott Stewart(Canada Canada national rugby union team The Canada national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board as a tier two rugby nation. There are ten tier one nations, and seven tier two nations, the... ) Rudolph Straeuli Rudolph Straeuli Rudolph August Wilkens Straeuli played rugby union in the positions of flanker and Number 8 for, and later coached, the Springboks rugby team. He also played for the Lions provincial team in the Currie Cup competition... , (South Africa South Africa national rugby union team The South African national rugby union team are 2009 British and Irish Lions Series winners. They are currently ranked as the fourth best team in the IRB World Rankings and were named 2008 World Team of the Year at the prestigious Laureus World Sports Awards.Although South Africa was instrumental... ) and (1995 World Cup Winner 1995 Rugby World Cup The 1995 Rugby World Cup was the third Rugby World Cup. It was hosted and won by South Africa, and was the first Rugby World Cup in which every match was held in one country.... ) Junior Paramore James Pritchard (Canada Canada national rugby union team The Canada national rugby union team represents Canada in international rugby union. They are governed by Rugby Canada, and play in red and black. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board as a tier two rugby nation. There are ten tier one nations, and seven tier two nations, the... ) Marco Rivaro (Italy Italy national rugby union team The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of Italy in the sport of rugby union. The team is also known as the Azzurri . Italy have been playing international rugby since the late 1920s, and since 2000 compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland,... ) |
Club honours
- John Player Cup 1975
- Allied Dunbar PremiershipGuinness PremiershipThe English Premiership, also currently known as the Aviva Premiership because of the league's sponsorship by Aviva, is a professional league competition for rugby union football clubs in the top division of the English rugby system. There are twelve clubs in the Premiership...
2 back to back Seasons during 1998-1999 & 1999-2000 - Powergen ShieldPowergen National TrophyThe EDF National Trophy was a cup competition which ran from 2006 to 2009 for the 118 clubs of the Rugby Football Union from National Division One and below. Previously these teams had played in the Powergen Cup, but were excluded from that cup under a new format adopted for the 2005/06 season...
2005