PRESS STATEMENT                                                                                                                                         

We are writing to issue a clarion call to Bedfordians everywhere, who care about Bedford and who love football, preferably both!

Older readers will remember the magnificent part played by Bedford Town Football Club, the famous “giant killing” Eagles, in Bedford’s History: Beating Newcastle in the F.A Cup, and the epic two match battle between Bedford and Arsenal in January 1956 which, in the words of the London Times newspaper, “sent shock waves around the world,” from their impressive ground “The Eyrie” where the famous “Eyrie Roar” could be heard all over Town.

Without the dedication and hard work of the Club’s supporters, The Football Club Board, Supporters’ Club and Independent Supporters Trust the club would not exist. We believe that if the Eagles are to have a future that is as proud as their past, a new kind of organisation must be created, so that one day a new kind of community Football Club can emerge. For this reason we have relaunched the Independent Supporters’ Trust under the name Bedford Eagles Supporters’ Trust (BEST).

We believe that in a town with a population of 150,000 and with a higher profile in the community it should be possible to gain increased sponsorship, financial backing, and more positive media coverage to encourage more paying fans through the gates. We believe that the people of Bedford deserve what the people of Rushden and Kettering take for granted, a thriving football club with ambition for the future.

We believe that the best way to achieve this is through the maximum possible involvement in the running and ownership of the club by ordinary supporters. The greater their say and involvement in the future the greater the potential will be realised. As a non profit making, Industrial and Provident Society Ltd, BEST can bring together fans; businesses; community organisations, and schools. We believe that an Independent Supporters’ Trust is therefore the best vehicle to develop revenue and capital for the future and can do so more easily than a solely private enterprise.

BEST will work closely with Supporters’ Direct a national organisation that exists to promote the involvement of ordinary fans in the running and where possible ownership of Football Clubs that play an important role in the communities that support them. To achieve this BEST will need to build new links with businesses, community groups, and people who may not be able to attend every game but who wish the club well. We want to see a successful club on and off the pitch that is a vital part of the life of the town. We are asking any of your readers that share this vision to help us in any of the following ways:

1)       Check out our developing website WWW.bedfordeaglestrust.com for an Application Form

2)       Become a member of B.E.S.T. at the special founder members rate of £1 to last until our Annual General Meeting in April.

3)       Join by February 1^st and you can take part in our postal ballot to elect a new Trust Board to take office in April. As a member by then, you are also eligible to stand in the election yourself and to attend the AGM.

4)       Email us with your messages of support and ideas at “www.bedfordeaglestrust.com” even if you do not want to join yet. We will send you regular email updates. If you do not have email please write to the Trust at the address below or call 07973 636422.

Tim Caswell (Acting Press Officer)

The Election Steering Committee

Bedford Eagles Supporters’ Trust (BEST)

9-11 Scald End

Mill Road

Thurleigh

Bedfordshire MK44 2DP