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Non-league football club unveils plans for stadium

Tony FisherBedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire
Systra An artist's impression of a sporting campus including a football stadium belonging to Real Bedford. There are two tall chimney like structures with the word "Brickworks" down the side. It is a night time scene and people are walking around with the lights on in the background.Systra
Real Bedford said the new integrated sports campus would significantly enhance the quality and range of the town's sporting facilities

A non-league football club has unveiled plans for a new stadium and sports campus.

Real Bedford FC is looking to build on land at the International Athletics Stadium on Barkers Lane as part of its ambition to bring league football to the town.

The club, which is currently in the Southern League Division One Central, plays at McMullen Park next to Bedford Town in Cardington.

Co-owner Peter McCormack said the plans were at an early stage, that no decisions had yet been made and no proposals had been agreed with Bedford Borough Council.

Systra An artist's impression of a new sporting campus including a football stadium, an athletics track, training pitches, a padel centre and car parking.Systra
The club said it recognised the importance of the existing athletics ground on Barkers Lane to its users

In a statement, the club said that it had been exploring plans for a new stadium for a number of years.

It added it wanted to "build a club where its men's and women's teams competed at the highest level possible".

It is not clear how the new campus would be funded but, in April 2024, Gemini founders Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss invested $4.5m (£3.5m) in Bitcoin in the club.

The proposals for the new, integrated sports campus includes a stadium alongside community facilities designed to support year-round use and wider participation.

Tony Fisher/BBC A small football stand with Real Bedford FC written on the top. There are advertising hoardings surrounding it. The football pitch is in front of it and there two tall lamps either side of it.Tony Fisher/BBC
The club currently plays at McMullen Park next to Bedford Town in Cardington

The club said the design, scale and layout of any development would be refined through consultation and detailed technical assessment.

It added it recognised the importance of the existing athletics facilities and there were a number of established and thriving users of the site.

It said its intention was "to ensure that they are provided with facilities of an equivalent - and ideally enhanced - standard in the future, whether within the site or at an alternative location".

While the plans have not been formally submitted to the council, the club said it was committed to ensuring local views played a meaningful role in the design process.

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