2021 Championship season update

Posted: 2nd February 2021
 

Following a lengthy application and subsequent negotiation process with the Sport Winter Survival Package representatives, Bedford Blues are delighted to reaffirm they will be taking part in the 2021 Championship season, due to start on 6th March 2021.

It has been nearly 12 months since we last saw the Blues at Goldington Road and the path to get to this point has not been easy. The full details, including fixtures, for the revised resumption of Championship rugby will be announced later in the week, but we are delighted that we are edging towards a safe return to the sport we all love. 

We are pleased that with the support of Sport England and the SWSP we will be able to play this season for our staff, players and supporters, as well as the credibility of the Championship within the elite level of the game.

Unfortunately grant applications were unsuccessful and so this leaves Clubs to face the huge COVID related costs of testing, protocols and operations without support. Whilst Trust Insurance sponsorship enabled us to move to testing earlier than planned, we had anticipated that by this point the DCMS funding, administered by Sport England, would be supporting the Minimum Operating Standards. Therefore, we will be launching a vital Crowdfunding campaign later this week aimed at providing us with the money that we will need to cover this.

The support we have received thus far has been overwhelming and we will be appealing to anyone who is able to help us continue through this process with a contribution towards these costs. We anticipate for at least a large majority of the season that spectators will not be permitted into Goldington Road, if at all, which leaves the club in an extremely challenging position financially.

As a club we view this season as an opportunity and wish to engage with our community more than ever where possible. We plan to make special memories as a group; players, staff, supporters and stakeholders – this is the Blues Family. We will increase content and stream all home matches with exciting new developments also in the pipeline.

A special thanks must go to the Board of Directors at Bedford Blues for negotiating their way through these difficult circumstances and enabling us to return to Championship action; along with the players, staff and fans for their patience. 

Let’s get this show back on the road and bring rugby back to Bedford! 

 

Gareth Alred

Chief Operating Officer

Bedford Blues