Premiership II plans announced

Monday Evening was on break in my car when this was on local radio.

About 20 minutes in.

Interview with Bedford Tigers Rugby League.

They are hoping to apply to join Rugby League, League One. (Third tier, professional game).

Initially for capacity Bedford Blues Goldington Road is being pursued.

So if as is rumoured.

Blues Men. 13 League games and (cup games?)

Tigers Men 11 League games, plus cup

So including friendlies circa 30 matches.one a week.

Is that enough to inspire a push for better facilities? Include Blues (and Tigers) Women using Bedford Athletics all weather pitch, but occasional Blues Women at Goldington Road.

Rob Ashton acknowledges Bedford is a rugby town. Blues are in a relatively unique situation, the best followed sports club in the town. Walking distance to the town centre and drinking stops.

The Elephant in the room.

Bedford football scene is in an interesting phase. As I mentioned lots of press about Real Bedford a non league club. The Men were promoted to the 8th tier of English Football, the Women to tier 4 (it is interesting next year three names stood out, Cambridge United a derby of sorts, Norwich and QPR women’s clubs associated with well known football names.)

However Real recognise they need a better venue especially if they even play Men’s tier 5. Listening to the a radio interview, with Tigers (RL) and Real (football) both having partnerships with local Netball clubs. Listening between the lines, if Tigers bring professional Rugby League to Bedford and Goldington Road, not sure what would stop them in say 5 years joining Real Bedford in a shiny new home.

So for Blues, maybe it is not so much looking for promotion. But knowing the next level is 7,500 (10,000 after 4 years, if survived that long), should be a target, hopefully achieve able at Goldington Road. To,at least stay at the  top of the local sports scene, and maintain Bedford as a ‘rugby’ town.

Sorry if I digressed. But if you are outside Bedford a lot of the above would pass you by.

Now if only Universal theme park confirms it is happening in July, will Blues want to play at Universal Studios Stadium Bedford?

While this is true, the stadium needs a capacity that makes it a viable option for concert promoters.  Most outdoor shows are in football grounds with a capacity of at least 40k - the equivalent of two nights at the O2 or Co-op Live.  A few years ago there were a handful of shows at the Stoop, Kingsholm, Franklin's Gardens, but generally if you're looking at a 10k capacity venue (which the Champ clubs must aspire to) then most bands would look at arenas rather than outdoor shows because the English summers are so unreliable.  And there is an arena within an hour's drive of the majority of Championship clubs - even the Eden Project has hosted The Who, Pet Shop Boys, Kasabian, Noel Gallagher, My Chemical Romance, Nine Inch Nails, Stereophonics and Diana Ross in the last couple of years.

I really don't see what that has to do with anything. You asked when Truro FC would return to Cornwall and were given an answer.