1st XV News

Bedford Blues are delighted to announce that the rumours are true - England international scrum half Lee Dickson is joining the club as a player/coach for the 2017/18 Championship season.
 
Dickson, 32, makes the move to Goldington Road having played 250 games for Northampton Saints since joining from Newcastle Falcons in 2008. Only Stephen Myler and Dylan Hartley have made more first team appearances for the Saints out of the current squad.
 

While new signings have dominated Bedford Blues news in recent weeks, there will be players leaving Goldington Road this summer with one of the most notable being long-serving lock Mike Howard.

Howard, 31, has been a mainstay of the second row since joining from North Walsham after a successful trial in 2008 and he has played a huge role in the Blues' successes ever since.

With well over 200 Blues appearances to his name, Howard has been a true stalwart of the club and as such he will be honoured with a testimonial game at Goldington Road on Saturday 6th May.

Bedford Blues return to Goldington Road this Saturday for their final home Championship match of the season as they prepare to face promotion chasing Yorkshire Carnegie who are looking to secure second place in the league (Kick Off 3pm).

The Club hope supporters will turn out in force to mark the close of another campaign and End of Season Party with live music and player entertainment following the final whistle as well as the Followers’ Player of the Season Presentation.

A taste of the West Country will be coming to Goldington Road in May with the launch of the town’s very own Sausage and Cider Festival on Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th.

The event takes place at the home of the Blues and celebrates real cider made by artisan producers around the country and the art of sausage making, along with an array of live music acts and family activities to keep the party going.

Bedford Blues are pleased to announce the signing of a familiar face as well as the re-signing of a club stalwart for the 2017/18 Greene King IPA Championship season.

Joining Bedford over the summer will be second row star Alex Rae, 31, who announced earlier this month that he was leaving his role as Assistant Coach with Jersey at the end of the season.

Rae, who joined Bedford in 2009 from Northampton Saints having come through the Worcester Warriors Academy, was a key component of the Blues' scrum before moving onto Wasps in 2013 and subsequently Jersey.