News
Board of Directors Update| January 2021
We would like to begin by wishing our supporters a Happy New Year. We hope that you and your families remain safe and well throughout what has been an unprecedented last year, and we look forward to welcoming you back to Goldington Road as soon as we possibly can.
Thank you for your continued patience, support and understanding - through what is an extremely difficult period for the Club - both on and off the pitch. Everyone at the club has been heartened and indeed boosted by the level of support shown thus far.
As 2021 begins under further uncertainty, we thought we would attempt to bring you up to speed on a few updates from behind-the-scenes. Just this week, the Club has submitted its funding application to Sport England for the Sports Winter Survival Package as outlined by DCMS last November. We anxiously await the outcome before the end of this month, which will determine the level of funding available from the Government. We remain positive of getting level two rugby back on this campaign.
We must stress, however, that any potential funding support issued is not a golden ticket and will not instantly permit the Club to return to normal operations. While the fine details are still be concluded, the majority of any funding will be in the form of a loan and this, on top of the RFU funding cuts and lost revenue due to the pandemic, still leaves the Club in a financially challenging position.
It is worth adding, that the Government’s Job Protection Scheme and furlough payments have been our lifeline, enabling us to keep players and staff employed throughout the pandemic. The hard work that has been put in across the last six years to make the club sustainable, has however been and is still at real risk.
As we publish this, the pandemic shows no sign of abating, and although the news of the vaccine rollout is positive, we face the prospect of playing the reduced new season with little chance of crowds being allowed to attend games. The success of our club has been built on large home support and the match day experiences our commercial team have worked so hard to create and develop, therefore without this to rely on it makes the financial assistance we are seeking, imperative and urgent.
That is why we are asking for more of the same from the #BluesFamily who continue to be the most loyal and well-respected supporters in the Championship. There are multiple ways you can help support the club throughout this period; with our new home and away shirts recently launched, our new Gilbert Rugby leisurewear range, spaces on the second Fans’ Wall to be displayed outside the home changing room, opportunities to support our charitable arm, Blues Foundation and sponsorship of the club. Simply email season@bedfordrugby.co.uk if you wish to speak about any options to support us at this time.
We have taken the decision to accelerate our return to play programme by moving to Stage 2 COVID Testing from next week, enabling Mike Rayer and his team to prepare adequately for the proposed season. The introduction of regular testing is a critical step towards our sport returning and also enables the next stage of our partnership with Northampton Saints and their players joining us in pre-season. The relationship with our near neighbours has been a lifeline to us throughout this last year and as we move ahead.
The Board have also given the green light for Mike and his coaching staff to proceed with their plans for the 2021 campaign; this includes the addition of four exciting new players who will be announced in due course. This has been a difficult time for our rugby department and the players particularly, thank you for your continued commitment and desire to put a Blues jersey back on.
Following the announcement on Monday of a third full UK lockdown, it would be naïve to offer the chance for supporters to purchase season tickets, especially with no clear timeframe as to when we will see the tiering system return and no indication as to what tier Bedford will be placed into.
Club staff have been working hard behind the scenes to ensure Goldington Road has the capabilities for safe social distancing should crowds be allowed into the ground; and we remain firmly committed to getting supporters back watching Bedford’s premier sporting club when safe to do so.
The lack of financial security usually afforded through season ticket money is another strain on an already reduced income; plans are currently in place to offer live streaming options for all Championship Rugby and we encourage supporters to back this initiative should a ban on spectators inside stadiums persist.
We thank you once again for your incredible support and patience shown throughout this pandemic and will look to provide further clarity and communication through our regular channels when possible to do so.
Bedford Blues Board of Directors
