Bedford Tigers
Bedford Tigers RLFC[1] is a rugby league club based in Bedford, England. The first team plays in the Southern Conference, with a second team in the East Premier League. The Tigers are a fore running club in the amateur game in the south of England and continue to push boundaries of what can be achieved in the sport both on and off the field. As a club, Bedford Tigers have moved to their own ground in 2018 and boast two senior sides as well as two junior sides, a satellite programme and proposed schools program too.
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| Club information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Bedford Tigers RLFC |
| Colours | Black, Charcoal, White & Gold. Previously – Grey, light blue, navy blue and yellow (2004–2006); sky blue and navy blue (2007); all black (2008) |
| Founded | 2004 |
| Website | http://www.bedfordtigers.com
https://www.instagram.com/bedfordtigersrlfc/ https://twitter.com/bedfordtigers https://www.facebook.com/Bedford-Tigers-RLFC-367578190017641/ |
| Current details | |
| Ground(s) |
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| Competition | 1st Grade – Southern Conference League. |
History
Rugby league was played in Bedford from 1997 until the summer of 2002 under the control of the Bedford Swifts rugby union club who operated a league team in the Rugby League Conference. However, the Swifts decided at the conclusion of the 2002 summer season to cease operations.
In 2004 Bedford Tigers RLFC was founded and competed in the London League. The Tigers only fielded one team but moved up into the Eastern Division of the Rugby League Conference in 2005.
In 2006 the Tigers first team were crowned champions of the Eastern Division after defeating St Ives Roosters in the regional grand final. A feat they replicated the following year too. The Tigers first team moved into the stronger Midlands Premier before trying the Rugby League Conference South Premier in 2009 and finished in 5th place.
In 2015 Tigers became "Triple Crown" Champions and secured the 2015 East RL league as well as East RL 9s and Cup double, a feat that has yet to be matched. This was by far the Tigers most successful season both on and off the field.
In 2016 Tigers Tigers came top of the East RL but lost in the play off final. However, they retained the East RL Cup and 9s trophies for the second year in a row. Tigers went on to become finalists in the league play off final in 2017 and 2018, retaining the East RL Cup again in 2017, and again in 2018 for an unprecedented 4th time in a row. In the five seasons from 2014 to 2018, Bedford Tigers had made the final of every competition they entered.
In 2019 Bedford Tigers gained inclusion into the new Southern Conference, the 4th tier of Rugby League, where on their debut season finished 4th.
In 2020 Bedford Tigers for the first time in their history, competed in the Challenge Cup away to 2019 Cumberland Cup winners Distington.
- 2004 – Founded and competed in the LARL Merit League
- 2005 – East Conference
- 2006 – East Conference "Champions"
- 2007 – East Conference "Champions"
- 2008 – Midlands Premier – 4th
- 2009 – Southern Premier – 5th
- 2010 – East Conference – Runners up
- 2011 – East Conference – 1st – Lost in Playoff Semi-final
- 2012 – East Conference – 3rd – Lost in Playoff Semi-final
- 2013 – East Premier – 3rd – Lost in Playoff Semi-final
- 2014 - East Premier - 4th - Runners up
- 2015 - East Premier - 1st - "Champions"
- 2016 - East Premier - 1st - Runners up
- 2017 - East Premier - 3rd - Runners up
- 2018 - East Premier - 2nd - Runners up
- 2019 - Southern Conference - 4th - Lost in Playoff Semi-Final
Community Work
In 2018 the Tigers set up the Bedfordshire Rugby League Foundation. The aim of the foundation is to tie all of the Tigers' community activity together. They have set up 3 other "Satellite Clubs", Ampthill Hornets, Dunstable Dragons and Luton Vipers with the aim of generating local junior activity and competition in the summer months. These clubs have U14 and U16 age ranges and provide the start of the player pathway to the Tigers senior squad.
Schools - The Tigers will launch school activity in 2018 by providing coaching and competition administration for local schools in the town and nearby areas.
Club Officials
2004 – Andy Buckley (Chairman) 2005 – Andy Buckley (Chairman) 2006 – Phil Walker (Chairman) Andy Buckley (Secretary) 2007 – Phil Walker (Chairman) Andy Buckley (Secretary) 2008 – Phil Walker (Chairman) Rob Ashton and Andy Buckley (Secretary) 2009 – Phil Walker (Chairman) Rob Ashton and Andy Buckley (Secretary) 2010 – Graham Brown (Chairman and father of former Tigers player Jack Brown) Andy Buckley (Secretary) 2011 to present - Graham Brown
Club Coaches
2004 – Abe Kerr 2005 – Ian Flash Walker 2006 – Christopher Potts 2007 – Christopher Potts 2008 – Christopher Potts (Coach for first 3 games before resigning – Sam Richbell took over as coach for the remainder of the season) 2009 – Christopher Potts 2010 – Sam Richbell 2011 – Sam Richbell & Andy Champ 2012–Present – Rob Ashton 2015 - Rob Ashton & Richy Sinclair 2016-Rob Ashton 2017-Sam Richbell 2019-Pat Wilson
Captains
Club Captains (2004-2019)
2004 – N/A, 2005 – N/A, 2006 and 2007 – Sam Richbell, 2008 – Gary Flook, 2009 – N/A, 2010 – Rob Ashton, 2011 – Rob Ashton, 2012 - Rob Ashton, 2013 - Paul Ryder, 2014 - Sam Richbell, 2015 - Carl Siudak, 2016 - Lee Walker, 2017 - Paul Ryder, 2018 - Sean 'Treacle' Phimister, 2019 - Lee Walker,
Players who have captained the 1st team (2004-2019)
Abe Kerr (2004), Phil Walker (2004 & 2005), Ian Flash Walker (2006), Christopher Potts (2004–2008), Tony Pullen (2005), Dean Coleman (2005), Sam Richbell (2007–2009), Dave Rowling (2007), Jamie Goss (2008), Gary Flook (2009), Rob Ashton (2010–2012), Paul Ryder (2013), Sam Richbell (2014), Karl Siudak (2015), Lee Walker (2016), Paul Ryder (2017), Lee Walker (2018,19)
Players who have captained the 2nd team (2006-2016)
Phil Walker, Craig Walker, Rob Ashton, Shane Moulds, Parwaz Khan, Brian McNamara, Mike Williams, Dean Ashton, John Stanfield, Eamon Murphy & David Lowe
Honours
- East RL Premier Champions - 2006, '07,'15,
- East RL Community Challenge Cup Winners - 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018
- East RL 9s Winners - 2015, 2016,
- East Entry League Champions - 2013, 2016 (Development Team)
- East Merit League: 2012 Development Team (minor Premiers)
- RLC National Grand Finalists – 2007 (Widnes Saints crowned Champions in the National Grand Final)
- RLC South of England Champions – 2007 (After defeating the Plymouth Titans in the semi-final of the National Cup)
- RLC Eastern Division: Champions – 2007 (Back to Back Championships!)
- RLC Eastern Division: Champions – 2006
- Sport Bedford Awards (Bedford County Council): Team of the Year – 2006
- East RL Triple Crown Winners-2015
Representative Achievements
- As of 02/11/2009
East Region Representatives
- 2005 – Christopher Potts, Tony Pullen and Shane Moulds
- 2006 – James Bull, Sam Richbell, Jamie Stead and Lee Clayton
- 2007 – Chris Aubury, Gary Flook (C), Dan Sharp, Simon Bevan, Matt Hughes and Stuart Riding
- 2008 – Chris Aubury and Rich Sinclair
- 2009 – N/A
- 2010 – N/A
- 2011 – Charlie Stafford, Sandro Parias, Craig Walker, Lee Walker, Rob Ashton, Scott Aspinall & Euan Irwin
- 2016-Carl Siudak, Sam Richbell, Jack Saunders, Ollie Fountain and Rob Ashton
South of England Representatives
- 2006 – Sam Richbell and Lee Clayton v London and South East and North of England (Origin match)
- 2007 – Gary Flook and Stuart Riding v North of England (Origin Match)
- 2007 – Chris Aubury v Royal Navy and RAF
- 2008 – Rich Sinclair and Chris Aubury
England Lionhearts 'A' Representatives
- 2007 – Gary Flook
England Lionhearts Representatives
- 2002 – Ritchie Bower, David Cox and Mark Whybrow (Whilst playing for Bedford Swifts Rugby League)
- 2006 – Sam Richbell (training squad)
- 2008 – Rich Sinclair (V Scotland and V Ireland)
- 2008 – Matt Hughes (V Ireland)
- 2011 – Scott Aspinall (v Ireland and v Wales)
Other
Other notable representative achievements from Tigers players in the past include –
- Jamie Goss and Lee Rossiter - Royal Navy, Combined Services, BARLA and GB Amateurs –
- Dean 'Digger' Coleman – Conference Dream Team selection in 2004
- Marrick Murphy – Ireland Wolfhounds v Australia and v USA (2 caps and 3 tries)
- Andy Wight – Scotland 9's team – London Nines 2006
- Stuart Riding and Richie Sinclair – London 9's rep team – London Nines 2006
- Simon Bevan – Wales 'A' representative 2003/2004
- Rob Ashton – GB Fire Service representative
- Toni Moliterno – Italian Exiles 2012
- Rob Ashton- Services to Rugby League (recognized by The RFL) 2017
Records
Club Records 1st XIII
- Record Victory – 100 – 00 v Leicester Phoenix 2008
- Highest Score – 100 – 00, v Leicester Phoenix 2008
- Most tries in a game – 18 tries v Leicester Phoenix 2008
Individual Records 1st XIII
- As at season end 2014
- Tries in a Season – 18 – Ollie Fountain, 2015, Sean 'Treacle' Phimister, 2018
- Tries in a Career – 45 – Sam Richbell 2005 – Present
- Tries in a Match – 6 tries, Sam Richbell vs King's Lynn Black Knights (2015)
- Tries on debut – 4 tries to Zander Pedan v Leicester Phoenix 2008
- Youngest Try Scorer (1st Team) Bradley Hirons - 16 years 85 days vs SW London Chargers
- Goals in a Season – 70 – Rob Ashton, 2015.
- Goals in a Career – 215 – Rob Ashton, 2006 – 2013
- Goals in a Match – 14 – Chris Potts v Leicester Phoenix 2008
- Most Points in a Season – 164 – Rob Ashton, 2013
- Most Points in a Career – 534 – Rob Ashton, 2006 – Present
- Most Points in a Match – 30 – Rob Ashton v MK Wolves 2013 (2 tries, 11 goals)
- Most Appearances – 79 – Sam Richbell 2005 – Present
As of 2010 friendlies do not count towards statistics
Individuals Records 2nd XIII / Development Side
- Tries in a Match – 6 – Robert Harris v St Albans Centurions 2nds, 2007
- Goals in a Match – 11 from 12 – Rob Ashton v St Albans Centurions 2nds, 2007
- Points in a Match – 24 – Robert Harris v St Albans Centurions 2nds, 2007 (6T)
Club Award Winners
Season 2020 Awards
- Man of Steel - Charlie Palmer
- Top Try Scorer - Bailey Thomas (2)
- Top Points Scorer - Bailey Thomas (8)
Season 2019 Awards
- Man of Steel - Josh Spearing
- Top Try Scorer - Sam Richbell (4)
- Top Points Scorer -
- Young Player of the Year - Josh Hudson-Lett
Season 2018 Awards
- Man of Steel - Ben Hardman
- Top Try Scorer - Sean 'Treacle' Phimister (18)
- Top Points Scorer - Sean 'Treacle' Phimister (74)
Season 2017 Awards
- Man of Steel - TBC
- Young Player of the Yeah - TBC
- Coaches Player of the Year -TBC
- Players Player of the Year - TBC
- Best Newcomer - TBC
- Dev Team Player of the Year - TBC
- Top Try Scorer - TBC
- Top Points Scorer - TBC
- Clubman of the Year - TBC
Season 2016 Awards
- Man of Steel - Sam Richbell
- Young Player of the Yeah - Jack Saunders
- Coaches Player of the Year -Charlie Palmer
- Players Player of the Year - Dan Baroux
- Best Newcomer - Jack Webb/Jonny Dowler
- Dev Team Player of the Year - Waide Allen
- Top Try Scorer - Sam Richbell
- Top Points Scorer - Rob Ashton
- Clubman of the Year - Lee Walker
Season 2015 Awards
- Man of Steel - Del Tribbeck
- Young Player of the Yeah - Josh Spearing
- Coaches Player of the Year - Ben Jones
- Players Player of the Year - Paul Ryder
- Best Newcomer - Jack Peachey
- Dev Team Player of the Year - Ben Peters
- Top Try Scorer - Ollie Fountain(18)
- Top Points Scorer - Rob Ashton ()
- Clubman of the Year - Shane Moulds
Season 2014 Awards
- Man of Steel - Sam Richbell
- Young Player of the Yeah - Josh Spearing
- Coaches Player of the Year - Elliot Line
- Players Player of the Year - Josh Spearing
- Best Newcomer - Mike Scott
- Dev Team Player of the Year - Phyl Watkins
- Top Try Scorer - Euan Irwin(10)
- Top Points Scorer - Rob Ashton (92)
- Clubman of the Year - Sandro Scarcelli
Special 10 Year Anniversary Awards
- Player of the Decade - Sam Richbell
- One in a Million - Gary Clough
Season 2013 Awards
- Man of Steel - Gary Flook
- Young Player of the Yeah - Josh Spearing
- Coaches Player of the Year - Eamon Murphy
- Players Player of the Year - Euan Irwin
- Best Newcomer - Will Presland
- Dev Team Player of the Year - Tom Faulkner
- Top Try Scorer - Karl Siudak (9)
- Top Points Scorer - Rob Ashton
- Clubman of the Year - John Stanfield
Season 2012 Awards
- Man of Steel – Lee Walker
- Young Player of the Year – Colin Liddell
- Coaches Player of the Year – Pat Murphy
- Players Player of the Year – Craig Walker
- Best Newcomer – Luke Donaldson
- Most Improved Player – Matt "Mayhem" Wilson
- Top Try Scorer – Lee Walker (14)
- Top Points Scorer – Rob Ashton (106)
- Clubman of the Year – Craig Walker
- Here comes the BOOM!- Phil Cliff
- Outstanding Contribution – Rachel Cameron
- Dev Team Player of the Year – John Stanfield
Season 2011 Awards
- Man of Steel (Previously "Player of the year") – Euan Irwin
- Young Player of the Year – Charlie Stafford
- Coaches Player of the Year – Dave "Bum Bum" Lowe
- Players Player of the Year – Craig Walker
- Best Newcomer – Lee Walker
- Most Improved Player – Pat Murphy
- Top Try Scorer – Andy Champ (12)
- Top Points Scorer – Rob Ashton (128)
- Clubman of the Year – Robbie Dolan
- Here comes the BOOM!- Darren Pickard
- Dev Players' Player – Nick Duggan
- Dev Coaches Player of The Year – Ash Targett
- Dev Top Points Scorer – Dean Ashton
- Dev Top Try Scorer – Tom Stafford
- Dev Most Improved Player 2011 – Leigh Pickard
Season 2010 Awards
- Player of the Year :- Paul Ryder
- Young Player of Year :- Scott Aspinall
- Most Improved Player :- Craig Walker
- Development Team Player of Year :- Dean Ashton
- Top Try Scorer :- Scott Aspinall (9 Tries)
- Top Points Scorer :- Rob Ashton (96)
- Clubman of the Year :- Gary Flook
- Outstanding Contribution :- Graham Brown
- Here comes the BOOM :- Terry Carter
- Try of the Season :- Sean 'Treacle' Phimister
Season 2009 Awards
1st team only:
- Player of the year : Euan Irwin
- 1st Grade Top points scorer : Christopher Potts
- Bedford Tigers Young Player of the year : Terry Carter
- Top tryscorer – Rich Sinclair and Euan Irwin
- Bedford Tigers Clubman of the Year : Dan Baroux
- Bedford Tigers Outstanding Contribution award : Gary Flook
Season 2008 Awards
- 1st Grade Player of the year : Zandar Peden
- Development Team Player of the year : Jake Wheeler
- 1st Grade Top points scorer : Zandar Peden
- Development Team Top points scorer : Craig Walker
- Bedford Tigers Young Player of the year : Jack Wrigglesworth
- Bedford Tigers Most Improved Player of the year : Ollie Francis
Season 2007 Awards
Tigers 1st Grade:
- Clubman of the Year – Chris 'The Tradesman' Aubury
- Bedford Tigers Player of the Year – Nathan Reed
- 1st Grade Players Player – Sam Richbell
- Most Improved – Paul Robson
- Impact Player – Marrick Murphy
- Top Pointscorer – Christopher Potts
- Top Tryscorer – Nathan Reed
- Best Back – Chris Lee
- Best Forward – Jamie Goss
- Young Player of the Year – Jack Brown
- Club Captains Award (For outstanding achievement on and off the field and going above and beyond all expectations) – Rob Ashton and Craig Walker
Tigers Development Side:
- Development Team Players Player – Dan Baroux
- Development Team Top Pointscorer – Rob Ashton
Season 2006 Awards
Tigers 1st Grade:
- Clubman of the Year – Christopher Potts
- Bedford Tigers Player of the Year – Stuart Riding
- 1st Grade Players Player – Stuart Riding
- Man of Steel 'Top Tackler' Award – Jamie Stead
- Most Improved – James Bull
- Impact Player – Gary Flook
- Top Pointscorer – Christopher Potts
- Top Tryscorer – Stuart Riding
Tigers Development Side:
- Development Side Players Player – Phil Walker
- Top Pointscorer – Phil Walker
- Top Tryscorer – Mike Williams
Season 2005 Awards
Tigers 1st Grade:
- Clubman of the Year – Phil Walker
- Player of the Year – Dean 'Digger' Coleman
- Young Player of the Year – Alistair Veitch
- Most Improved – Brian McNamara
- Impact Player – Sam Richbell
- Top Pointscorer – Christopher Potts
- Top Tryscorer – Dean 'Digger' Coleman
Season 2004 Awards
Tigers 1st Grade: [File:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bedford_2004.jpg]
- Clubman of the Year – Andy Buckley
- Top Tryscorer – Tommy McCollin
- Top Pointscorer – Tommy McCollin