News
Jamie Elliott commits to his hometown club
Bedford Blues are delighted to confirm that Jamie Elliott has re-committed his immediate future to his hometown team and will spend the 2022/23 Championship season at Goldington Road.
The former Junior Blue, sponsored by Russell Beard and Friends of the Blues, was one of the standout figures in the team last season, making 22 appearances and scoring five tries to be put into the conversation for the Championship Team of the Season at outside centre.
Elliott becomes the second Bedfordshire born player to sign on the dotted line for 2022/23, following in the footsteps of Dean Adamson who was our first re-signing three weeks ago.
On pledging his future to the club, Elliott said: “I cannot possibly reiterate how much I enjoyed being back at Goldington Road last season. Bedford Blues is a beautiful club with the most amazing supporters.
“This isn’t a secret in rugby circles; but how can you not fall in love with the Bedford style of play, where credit must go to the coaches and the team’s ability with ball in hand.
“I am looking forward to the new campaign where I think we can continue to grow as a group. We have a really exciting squad, to be amalgamated with the Northampton contingent, and the return of Booj is something we’re all excited about.”
This is Elliott’s second spell with the club, following a brief stint in 2018 which saw the 29-year-old make a further six appearances, adding one try. He will look to hit the 50 club appearances mark in the upcoming campaign.
Educated at Bedford School, Elliott was a product of the Northampton Saints academy, making 155 appearances for the Franklin’s Gardens outfit, including being handed his Premiership debut at just 18 years of age.
Part of the squad which lifted the Premiership and Challenge Cup double, Elliott was top try scorer for Saints in 2012/13 and was recently put forward as a nomination for scorer of the Premiership’s best ever try, following his effort against Gloucester in 2013.
Following his departure from Saints, Elliott spent the trial period at Goldington Road, but was quickly snapped up by Italian club Zebre where he had remained until the summer of 2021, scoring seven tries from 46 appearances.
On the international scene, Elliott was capped at every age grade, helping England U20s lift the Grand Slam in 2011.
Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer added: “Jamie was really consistent last season and I think he has found his position now at 13.
“His engine is unreal; his commitment is brilliant and he’s a great lad off the field as well. It’s important we’ve got characters in the changing room, we’ve got a few of them now, so hopefully that will stand us in good stead and gel us together.
“It’s massively important to retain those who are equally good players and good people. Jamie is definitely that. It’s important for a club like us to have people who understand the community and the town.”
