REAL BEDFORD (McMullen Park)

SPARTAN SOUTH MIDLANDS LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION, REAL BEDFORD 5-1 DUNSTABLE TOWN, ATTENDANCE: 162

For Non-league Day 2024 I headed to McMullen Park for a Bedfordshire Derby between Real Bedford and Dunstable Town in the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division.

The Pirates dominated the game and it was a convincing victory, which maintains their current position at the top of the table. It's between Real Bedford and Milton Keynes Irish for the title, and promotion, with Bedford currently having the points on the board but Milton Keynes having the games in hand. It's going right to the wire this one.

This afternoon's game was effectively over by half time with Real Bedford 3-0 up thanks to goals from Archie Jones (30) and a brace from Joey Evans (40, 45). An own goal (56) made it 4-0 before Dunstable netted a consolation through Alfie Osborne (69). The Pirates completed the scoring with a fifth goal through Ben Stevens (71).

Real Bedford were formed in 2002 with a merger of Bedford United and Unione Sportiva Valerio. Valerio were a Sunday league team formed in 1995, whilst Bedford United were established in 1957 as the works team of the printing firm Diemer & Reynolds. After the merger the club took Bedford United's place in the Spartan South Midlands League as Bedford Valerio United before becoming Bedford FC in 2007.

In April 2022 Bedford were taken over by over by bitcoin podcaster Peter McCormack, who stated that he intended for the club to reach the Premier League. The club's name was changed to Real Bedford prior to the 2022–23 season, which was a successful campaign which saw them lift the Bedfordshire Senior Trophy and the Division One title. They are currently on course for back-to-back promotions.

McMullen Park has been home to Bedford since 1996 when, after a nomadic existence, the club set up base on land between the main A421 trunk road and Bedford Town's ground, The New Eyrie. McMullen Park is named after lifetime founder-member and former Vice Chairman Jim McMullen. How long the club will stay at McMullen Park remains to be seen as there is currently a dispute between the club and Bedfordshire Council over the lease of the ground (click here). Watch this space, as they say...

Archie Jones opens the scoring for The Pirates. 

McMullen Park is adjacent to the main A421 trunk road. 

EDIT: On 26th April 2024 it was announced that a new 15 year lease on McMullen Park had been agreed between the club and the council. This came just a week after Real Bedford had clinched the Spartan South Midlands League title and promotion to Step 4 of the non-league pyramid.