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Bedford Blues are a semi-professional rugby union club in the town of Bedford, England, currently playing in Champ Rugby at the 2nd tier of the English rugby union system.
Under the captaincy of Alfred Parrott, a Bedford Modern School master, the new club made an auspicious start, losing only once in its first season (to Leicester) and again only once in its second (to a composite London XV). The early successes, however, paled before the achievements of 1893–94, when the club's reputation persuaded opponents of the stature of Stade Francais, from Paris, and the Barbarians to make the journey over. These two distinguished teams suffered the fate of all other visitors to the club's ground in that marvelous season, defeated by scores of 22–0 and 7–3 respectively in front of huge crowds. Indeed, the club would complete its normal programme unbeaten, only to lose when somewhat understrength, in an extra match arranged as an Easter Monday attraction at Coventry (0–12). The season's final record was 29 played, 27 won, one drawn and one lost, with 521 points and only 49 against. Records created that season stood for many years and winger H.M Morris still holds the highest try-scoring tally with 38 scores in a season.
While the success on the playing field had been good there was often a problem of where to play at home. There were two main sites where pitches could be made available. One was known as 'The House of Industry' ground in Goldington Road. This was the field in front of the House of Industry -now known as the North Wing Hospital. This is approximately where Bedford play now. The other site was known as Midland Road Ground, an area near the Queen's Park railway bridge.
The first matches in 1886–87 were in Goldington Road — where the Bedford Swifts had played — but during the next few seasons several pitches near the railway station were used. It was recorded in local papers at the time that at least one game was played in the field where Queens Works now stands. The railway and industry required this land and Bedford Rugby returned to the Goldington Road area before an agreement in 1895 was reached with Bedford Cricket Club who actually held the lease. The pitch was laid out in virtually the same spot as it is now.
In the seasons immediately preceding World War I the fixture list grew stronger, and the club lost only one game in 1913–14. The facilities had also improved. With a better playing arena, the first stand had been erected in 1905 and in 1910 a new pavilion was built. At that time it was considered one of the best rugby club pavilions in the country. The fact that it is still standing (now known as the 'Scrumhall' bar) is proof of the quality of workmanship and materials.
The First World War threatened the club's existence when the ground was taken over by the Military Authorities for use as an Army Camp. Things did improve very quickly and by the late twenties and early thirties Bedford once again were at the top. Even today some older supporters consider this the club's best ever period - practically every member of the team in 1938–39 was very close to international honours. Further improvements had been made at the ground, the biggest being the stand opened in 1933 which is still in use today.
Unfortunately this achievement did not continue with the club having little success resulting in many players with great potential leaving the club. There were bright moments such as John Orwin captaining the England touring party to Australia and Fiji in 1988. When the leagues were introduced in 1987-88 Bedford were in Division 2, promoted to Division 1 in 1989 but relegated immediately to finish in Division 3 for a period.
The 2006 season had seen the commencement of a relationship with Leicester Tigers, the prominent Premiership side, which allowed some of Leicester's most promising young players to gain experience by playing for Bedford in National Division One. Within the next five years it was hoped that 50% of the club's players would have been brought into the squad through the academy and youth teams.
The 2006–07 Academy Colts became champions of the English Colts Club Knockout Cup after beating Redruth at Franklin's Gardens. 2007–08 season saw the Colts win the cup again. Being the first Colts team to retain the cup.
The idea then became a reality in January 2020 when the first training session was held with 12 players attending on a cold Saturday morning. The team continued to increase its numbers over the preceding year, even during the COVID-19 situation, building up a healthy roster of over 30 players. The following season (2021–22) the Bedford Blues Women became a league team, playing in the NC3 Midlands (Central) League, led by head coach Mark Stapley. The Bedford Blues Women play their home matches at Goldington Rd and at Bedford Athletic RFC ground.
On Sunday 10 October 2021, Emma Graham made history by being the first player to score points for the Bedford Blues Women Rugby Union Team during their first match against Shelford Nomads, played at Goldington Rd (with the Blues Women winning 31–0)
The 2022–23 season saw the Bedford Blues Women competing in NC2 Midlands (Central), coached by Peter Frost and Daryl Veenendaal and captained by Emma Graham, they played 4 games at Goldington Road, and ended their first season in the new league in 4th place.
The 2023–24 season saw the women's side playing all their home matches at Goldington Road, and competing in NC2 Midlands (South). There was also a coaching team change with Mark “Eddie” Rennell, former Bedford Rugby player, taking over from Veenendaal. Lucy Middleton led the team to finish the season with 12 victories making them undefeated during the season and winning promotion to NC1 East.
At the start of the 2024-2025 season, Peter Frost stood down as joint head coach, to leave Rennell in sole charge.
| 1996–2000 | Gilbert Rugby | Dexion | unknown | unknown |
| 2006–2008 | Kooga | Autoglass | Wells Bombardier | Lifesure |
| 2008–2010 | Kooga | |||
| 2010–2011 | Kooga | |||
| 2011–2014 | Zoo Sport Ltd | |||
| 2015–2020 | Blue Chip | |||
| 2020–2021 | Gilbert Rugby | |||
| 2021–2022 | Service Express sdc ac plc | Eagle Brewery dovecote park carter sullivan trust insurance stonbury SDG | Butterwell Budgens Berwick Homes | |
| 2008 | Bedford | 19–34 | Barbarians |
| 2009 | Bedford | 45–76 | Barbarians |
| 2010 | Bedford | 50–14 | Barbarians |
| 2011 | Bedford | 35–43 | Barbarians |
| 2013 | Bedford | 43–29 | Army |
| 2015 | Bedford | 47–24 | Army |
| 2023 | Beford | 38–10 | Army |
| + BEDFORD RUGBY CLUB LEAGUE HISTORY | ||||
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| Promoted to Division One | ||||
| Relegated to Division Two | ||||
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| Relegated to Division Three | ||||
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| Promoted to Division Two | ||||
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| Promoted to Allied Dunbar Premiership | ||||
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| Relegated to National Division One | ||||
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| Powergen Shield Winners | ||||
| Powergen National Trophy runner-up | ||||
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| RFU Championship play-off semi-finalists | ||||
| RFU Championship play-off semi-finalists, British and Irish Cup runner-up | ||||
| RFU Championship play-off semi-finalists | ||||
| RFU Championship Finalists, British and Irish Cup semi-finalists | ||||
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| RFU Championship play-off semi-finalists | ||||
| (play-offs for promotion were abolished and replaced by the first ranked team being promoted) | ||||
| 2020–21 | RFU Championship | 2 | 8th | |
| 2021–22 | RFU Championship | 2 | 5th | |
| 2022–23 | RFU Championship | 2 | 4th | |
| 2023–24 | RFU Championship | 2 | 4th | |
| 2024–25 | RFU Championship | 2 | 2nd | |
| 2025–26 | Champ Rugby | 2 | ||
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