The Bedford Blues Podcast

After a fantastic fourth placed finish in the 22/23 campaign, we catch up with Blues Women trio Emma Graham, Lucy Middleton and Emily McBarron to talk all the latest developments for the side, which includes a permanent move to Goldington Road this Summer. 

As Bedford Blues prepare to return to Championship league action, we catch up with Dean Adamson on the eve of his 150th club appearance which falls as 4th v 5th with the visit of Doncaster Knights under the Friday Night Lights. 

We're almost halfway through the season with just two fixtures remaining to see out 2022; starting with Jersey Reds on Saturday and the sell-out Boxing Day clash with Ampthill at Goldington Road.  A journey over to the island is always a different experience, and we'll be taking several members of the squad on the flight for their first experience of Jersey. Ahead of the game, we speak to two of those, Monty Royston and Charles Rylands, to talk all the current goings on at Goldington Road ahead of two extremely difficult fixtures. 

As Bedford Blues prepare to return to Goldington Road on Saturday against Hartpury University, we catch up with several members of the squad to hear reports ahead of the game.  Firstly, Alex Woolford talks his desire to return from injury sooner rather than later; then we hear from Ethan Grayson and Head of Strength and Conditioning, Jamie Bain who both discuss the upcoming set of fixtures.  Finally, Sean French stars in the 'When We Were Young' segment.   

It feels like only yesterday that the 2021/22 campaign came to a close, yet here we are, one round of Championship fixtures already complete in the new season as we eagerly prepare for our home league opener against London Scottish.  Blues duo Alex Day and Will Maisey - as well as Performance Analyst, Jake McKenzie - all deconstruct last weekend's battle at Coventry, while previewing this weekend's contest which brings about our Goldington Road Family Fun Day.  To conclude the episode, Jack Hughes answers some quickfire 'Firsts & Lasts'.  

This summer, Matt Worley became the 42nd player to receive international recognition while contracted to Bedford Blues; scoring three tries in two games for Hong Kong where he had spent most of his childhood.  On his return to Blues training ready for the 2022/23 campaign, he spoke of his international experience and how he wants to continue his purple patch of form in the upcoming season. 

The players are back in pre-season training ready for the 2022/23 Championship campaign with 28 league and cup fixtures set to come over an exciting nine months.  This season's core squad consists of 17 players who remain from last season, four new faces and the heralded return of our former captain and century club inductee, Michael Le Bourgeois. Ahead of the new season and in the midst of our first week back in pre-season, we’ve caught up with Booj to discuss his return to Goldington Road, what he learnt from his spell at premiership heavyweights Wasps and why taking a player-coach role at Bedford is the perfect next stage of transition in his career.

A shorter Blues Podcast this time as we have a brief catch-up with Will Maisey after our influential fly-half was named Players' Player of the Year at the Bedford Blues End of Season Club Dinner.  It's been a fantastic 24 hours for Maisey who has also penned a new contract ready for the 2022/23. He talks pride at winning such a prestigious award, hopes the new campaign as well as paying tributes to his fiancé and parents for their support during his career. 

The business end of the season is always tinged with sadness as players come and go right the way across the Championship, including here at Goldington Road as Joe Atkinson has announced his impending retirement.  Ahead of a potential Goldington Road farewell, Atko sits down to discuss his time at Goldington Road, his desire to complete his career with some silverware and his greatest memories from nearly a decade plying his trade in Championship Rugby. 

A very special Blues Podcast this month as we hear from Director of Rugby, Mike Rayer who recently celebrated his 500th match in charge of the club.  Rayer talks all issues past, present and future as he dissects his seventeen campaigns in the hot seat - picking out his favourite moments, discussing the challenges of remaining in post for so long and why he still has the desire to carry on and continue producing quality, attacking rugby at Goldington Road.  There's also a word on the current Championship Cup within which Blues will next face Nottingham in their Round One Second Leg tie at GR on St George's Day. Make sure to pack the stands and get behind the team to ensure the quest for silverware continues for at least another round.