News
Tapley signs up for eleventh season
Bedford Blues are delighted to conclude a week of re-signings with the news that the club’s longest serving current player, Pat Tapley has committed his future once again for an eleventh season as a member of the #BluesFamily.
Tapley, kindly sponsored by murraYoung, marked 2023/24 with a more than deserved testimonial year and concluded celebrations back in May with a staggering 76-76 draw in a fixture Bedfordshire XV and Cambridgeshire XV – the man himself scored three in the game.
An inductee into the club’s prestigious century club back in 2021; Tapley has made 143 appearances at Bedford Blues – third highest among the current crop – alongside adding 63 tries in that time; only Dean Adamson has scored more.
On prolonging his stay at the club for yet another season, Tapley said: “It feels a bit repetitive but Bedford Blues is my club and as long as they want me here, I'll be here.
"It wasn't my best campaign last time out, I know that, but it's difficult when you've got the two best wingers in the league with Dean Adamson and Sean French. It's tough to find minutes but I'm determined to prove I've still got something about me."
Joint top try scorer in the truncated 2021 campaign and outright winner in 2014/15, Tapley has been an important figure at Goldington Road throughout his time at the club and will now be earmarking surpassing 150 appearances next season.
A key figurehead, Tapley embodies everything about the culture of Bedford Blues – both on and off the field – and is an integral member of the team as one of the senior voices at Goldington Road.
Commenting on the news, Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer added: “Tappers had a really tough year, with lots of stuff going on in the background. He was massively patient, and we were equally patient with him. We had a chat at the end of last season, and he felt he didn’t want to sign off on a season like that.
“He feels like he’s got more to give, and perhaps didn’t put his best foot forward last year in terms of his involvement throughout the season so I’m excited to him back in amongst it this time around.
“To be honest, he did have a really good start to last year, four tries in two games in pre-season including two against Northampton. He was back to his finishing best I felt and if he starts like that again in this pre-season then the minutes will come.”
Tapley becomes the 18th member of the squad confirmed for the upcoming campaign – when will you follow suit? We hope to have fixture dates announced soon with Season Tickets for the 2024/25 campaign ON SALE NOW! Get yours by clicking here.
