Bedford Athletic Rugby Club have signed five new players and brought through a number of their championshipwinning colts side into the senior squad ahead of their Midlands One East kick-off at Coalville on Saturday.
A summer of change has also seen a number of off-the-field changes as the new-look Putnoe Woods outfit plan to rise from the ashes of the last campaign that ended in relegation from National Midlands Three, finishing bottom of the table with minus five points.
At the forefront of the rebuilding process is the naming of new captain Sam Richbell.
Also the player/coach of Bedford Tigers Rugby League Club, Richbell was an intrinsic member of the Ampthill side that finished in pole position in National Three Midlands last season and is comfortable both in the second row and at No 8.
He brings a wealth of experience to the club having been a central figure when local rivals Dunstablians reached the EDF Energy Intermediate Cup Final at Twickenham in 2007. Richbell replaces previous captain Garry Acton who has returned to Yorkshire with his family.
Joining him is Phil Reed who arrives after two seasons at Rugby Lions and previous stints with Championship sides Doncaster and Exeter as well as at National One team Cambridge.
The experience of these two players will be bolstered by Nick Peters who has spent much of the last ten years propping for Luton, while scrum half Paul Briggs follows Saints Academy and new Ath coaches Rowland Winter and Ollie Joisce in making the trip from Northampton. Former first team full back Dan Glover also returns to the club, having completed a two-year sabbatical in East Africa.
There will be an exciting blend of youth to go with the experienced additions as Andrew Ince, Tommy Mills, Rhys Spencer and Tom Albone step up from the colts.
Head coach, Winter, said: “We are under no illusion that we are going to get straight back up.
“We are looking at this year to rebuild the club, the team, the committee and the players, get a more social side around and really get back to proper rugby.
“To do that we’ve had to strip it right back down completely.
“It is a season of gelling and building that foundation.” Richbell added: “I’m looking forward to it. It's going to be exciting.”
Other changes off the field see local businessman Mike Cox, of Woodfines, taking over as club president, club stalwart Mick Bowden becoming club chairman and former player Babs Rai becoming club secretary.
Val Jones continues as director of rugby and Lyn Jones takes over as commercial manager.
On the field, Bedford Athletic’s first home game of the season sees Paviors visit Putnoe Woods (3pm kick-off). Later in the season the club can look forward to a home tie against Wellingborough in the first round of the Wells Bombardier East Midlands Cup.
Following this week’s draw for the National Colts Cup there is also the enticing prospect of a rematch between Ath and the Blues in this season’s second round.
Bedford must overcome a tricky first round tie at Ampthill whilst Athletic must negotiate a game at Long Buckby. The tie if it comes about will be at Putnoe Woods on Saturday October 16.
