Bedford Blues rugby club confirmed last week that if they win the Championship play-offs they would not accept promotion to the Premiership.
Fans and players could be forgiven for resenting chairman Geoff Irvine’s decision to deny them a chance to pit themselves against the top teams in the country, but in Bedford that isn’t the case.
The Blues are a family club from top to bottom and everyone seems to share the philosophy that the financial security of the club is paramount if they are to continue to enjoy rugby at Goldington Road for years to come.
And it’s no wonder that they are weary of the pitfalls of success and top-flight rugby.
Boxing promoter Frank Warren invested heavily in the club in the late nineties and his money secured the signing of many international players, most notably British Lions lock Scott Murray.
With money came success and the Blues were promoted to the Premiership in 1998, finishing as runners-up in the C&G Cup the same year.
But the success was short-lived and they were relegated two seasons later. To compound their misery Warren pulled the plug and the club’s future was threatened.
An intervention from the RFU and a successful takeover from a consortium of Bedfordshire businessmen, headed by Irvine, saved the club and secured the future of professional rugby in the town.
Thousands of supporters and local businessmen bought shares in the club and now the Blues are on a sound financial footing.
But Rome wasn’t built in the day and the board are still building a community club that can cope with the rigors of professional sport whilst operating under a tight budget. And this budget does not allow for a renovation of their stadium to meet the 10,000 minimum capacity required for the Premiership.
“The club was falling apart but the people of Bedford pulled together and saved the club. They’re very smart Bedford, they don’t overspend or waste any money.”
Flanker Sacha Harding has played for the club for over 10 years and has witnessed the club transform itself after near extinction.
“The rugby club is a very family orientated place. It’s a massive part of our town. Bedford is a real rugby town.”
The Blues finished second in the Championship season and have a good chance of progressing through play-off Pool B to secure a place in the play-off semi-finals.
Wherever they finish the players must accept that they will not be playing Premiership rugby with this team next season.
“The reason players come here is because we play good rugby.” Harding explained. “The knock-on effect is that players get picked up by Premiership clubs. Six or seven have gone to bigger clubs.”
Harding is one of only four players in the club’s history to earn a testimonial season but at the tender age of 28 does his ambition mean he will leave the club?
“The last three years I’ve had a lot of interest from clubs within the Premiership and other clubs in the league but my chairman has always talked about my testimonial year. It’s quite a special thing and that’s what has kept me here.
“However I think once this season is done, possibly, I’d be a bit more open to moving on.”
No-one at the club would begrudge Harding a move but with loyalty such as his a rare commodity in sport, and no immediate plans for the development of their ground, Blues fans must wonder how long they can keep their quality players, and with it their hopes for the return of top flight rugby to Bedford in the near future.
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