News
Match Focus: The Saints Are Coming
Bedford Blues welcome back the #BluesFamily to Goldington Road against Premiership heavyweights and near neighbours, Northampton Saints this Friday under the lights (KO 19:45).
Tickets are selling quickly with no tickets expected to be available on the gate. Save £4 and click here to buy tickets for the big game.
Big Game Preview
Mike Rayer’s charges will be looking to continue building in the second fixture of pre-season following a 12-try thriller against Ampthill last time out. A total of 10 players made their debut at Dillingham Park last weekend with more expected on Friday night as the coaches look to try new partnerships and implement the ‘Blues way’ for the season ahead.
Northampton Saints will contest their first pre-season fixture at Goldington Road as Chris Boyd looks to similarly prepare his squad for the Premiership season ahead. Dave Ribbans is the only confirmed absentee through suspension, so expect a mix of experience, youth and new signings as the stars of the Green, Black and Gold meet the Blues.
We’ve Met Before
Unsurprisingly considering the distance between the clubs, Northampton are the side who Bedford have faced on the most occasions, having contested 211 competitive fixtures. Saints currently lead the head-to-head record with 130 wins to Bedford’s 66, while there have been 15 draws.
A fixture with almost 135 years of history, the two sides first met on 15th January 1887 when Blues were victorious at home. The two sides last met in a mid-season friendly in March 2017 when Saints came to the rescue as Blues originally had a free weekend following the sad demise and liquidation of London Welsh. Blues’ current longest serving player, Pat Tapley was a try scorer on the night as Saints ran out 52-17 winners.
Food, Drink & Entertainment - Probably the Best Beer in the World
Every Bedford supporter knows the delights of Blues’ own beer, Eagle IPA, but we are pleased to introduce a new session lager to the taps, in the form of Carlsberg. Through our continuing relationship with Marston’s and the Eagle Brewery, now part of Carlsberg Marston’s Brewing Company, we are pleased to add Carlsberg to most bars around the club. Don’t panic, all the regular favourites, including Estrella, remain!
For this match only, the Blues Marquee will be open to all supporters before as well as after the match. Head to our largest venue to grab a bench and enjoy a cold pre or post-match pint with friends and family.
Elsewhere around the ground, the Eagle Bar, Scrum Bar (closes after HT), Former Players Bar and Trailer Bars will also be open. Why not grab a copy of our new match day programme, available in paper copy or online digital version, and read in one of the bars.
There will be three hot food kiosks available; the first – The Bedford Barn – located adjacent to the Blues Marquee on the halfway line, the second – Peckish Festival Food – served from a hatch at The Burrow at The Blues on the East Terrace and the third – The Burger Hut – positioned inside the Goldington Road gates.
Visit the mini spectator village for more delights, including the Coffee and Cake Horsebox, MJs Sweetcart and an additional trailer bar. All situated opposite the stand.
Post-Match, head to the Blues Marquee for entertainment with Sam Roberts and live music returns from Joe Bygraves. MC Will Roberts is back on the announcer’s mic after a debut season behind closed doors, get behind him and the boys as the Blues’ strongest 16th man returns to Goldington Road.
Safety Briefing
All venues around Goldington Road will remain CASHLESS as part of our COVID risk management plan. Further safety precautions including a plentiful supply of hand sanitisers from stewards will also be in operation on match day.
All three gates will be open as entrances into Goldington Road; namely the main entrance, the hospital gate and the Bushmead gate. Please have your ticket ready to be scanned when you arrive.
The Blues Club Shop will open its doors from one hour before kick-off and again at half-time and full time. For the safety of all our supporters, we politely ask that only one person or one family bubble enters the Club Shop at any time.
The wearing of face masks is now voluntary. Please consider the safety of not just yourselves and your family, but every other spectator heading to Goldington Road.
Tickets
Buy tickets online and save a massive £4 on all adult tickets before they sell out, click here to buy.
This fixture is included within all 2021/22 Season Tickets. All Season Tickets holders will receive an email tomorrow with information on how to redeem their ticket.
Match Sponsor: Dovecote Park
