Football clubs' merger 'only solution' - manager

The two Bedford teams are in discussions over a potential merger

The manager of a football club considering a merger with a rival side has said "it's the only solution".

It emerged Bedford Town and Real Bedford were in talks after Real Bedford's co-owner Peter McCormack posted on X that a proposal to merge the two clubs had been submitted.

Bedford Town manager Lee Bircham said: "My personal opinion is, it's the only solution for the football club, it's the right solution for the football club."

The controversial move would be opposed by some fans. One supporter said it showed "a lack of consideration", another described it as "shameful".

McCormack, a Bitcoin podcaster, bought Real Bedford, then a 10th-tier club called Bedford FC, in January 2022 as part of his ambition to give the town a Premier League team.

Real Bedford are in the eighth tier of English football while Bedford Town are in the seventh.

In an interview for Bedford Town's Eagles TV, Bircham said the club's current financial position was not sustainable.

"We can't compete at this level next year," he said.

"The owners have done the right thing.

"With the investment that Pete (McCormack) has got, Bedford could have a Football League club in five years."

Bircham added: "There's no real rivalry, it's not there yet. Our rivalry through the history books has been Kettering."

Football podcaster Christopher Allan said the new club could expect to be in the English Football League within ten years

Christopher Allan, of The Bedfordshire Football Podcast, said the merger proposal was "monumental" and "totally left field", describing it as joining Bedford Town's history and tradition with Real Bedford's innovation and ambition.

"The extra money and resources that they're going to get from this merger sets them up brilliantly to be a professional football team within Bedford.

"It's controversial. No one would have been anticipating this, especially in middle of the season."

He acknowledged some rivalry between the two clubs, supporters and owners, but said it made sense, especially for Bedford Town.

"What is the club going to be called? What colours are they going to wear? What's the badge looking like? Where are they going to play? Who's going to manage them?" said Allan.

Football fan Ben Enser believes the rush to the top leagues is "embarrassing"

But for football fan Ben Enser, who lives in Milton Keynes, the merger idea was "shameful".

"I'm all for unity and equality and accessibility in football, and that's been done well at Real, but changing one club's identity, let alone two, is unforgivable," he posted on social media.

"Community clubs are important, clubs lower down are important.

"Especially now non-league is seeing good numbers who have turned their backs on the big business and come through the more welcoming turnstiles of non-league."

Harry Stafford has been going to BedfordTown matches since he was a child

Town fan Harry Stafford, 27, from Bedford, said the merger idea showed a lacked of consideration for the fans.

"Bedford Town has got a lot bigger history. As a team, Real Bedford have only been about for about four years," he said.

"In terms of what Real Bedford are doing and wanting to get to the football league I think is brilliant, but I think they could go about it doing it their own way, and not involving Bedford Town.

"I think it's great having two teams, there's always a rival side. I can't see it ending well."

Bedford Town FC have played at their current ground since 1993

When the proposed merger was revealed, Real Bedford co-owner McCormack said: "As a proud Bedfordian, nothing would make me happier than seeing our town represented at the highest levels in men's and women's football.

"We've made amazing progress with Real Bedford, but this merger unlocks the potential to achieve something truly special in the town."