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August 19, 2008


From the pen of Andy


BEDFORD

THE BEDFORD BULLS or should I say the BEDFORD BULL!!!!!

Lost some 17 players in two seasons – gone from having some of the “better greens around the place” to close to the worst. WHAT HAS GONE WRONG?

Great history, great location, great facilities – why is this club going backwards?

Is this another proud club casualty? Or are we about to see a revival?

When you look around at some of our bigger clubs (membership wise) you will find workers – yes members who are willing to help – to work – to do the little or big things that make clubs strong. – these clubs have workers and members who care and do what is necessary to make things happen around the joint to ensure their clubs stay healthy and vital. Most of these clubs also have a pennant culture that is strong and home grown to a large extent.

Let us hope The Bulls have found the brakes and have arrested the slide. Well what is in store for Bedford on the pennant track this coming season? Will they hold White and if yes how?

There are still a couple of stalwarts around this club and I’m sure those few will do their utmost to make Bedford an accountable affair on Saturdays. Maybe Ned Bull may come out of retirement who knows.

It will be blokes like Cliff Graybrook, Barry Gartrell and Dave Scott the club will lean on heavily to bring BEDFORD back. It has to be these guys as everyone else seems to have left.

How will this coming season treat the Bulls – rather harshly I think. Loosing aggregates may be easier than winning them. Still that is only one mans opinion. Bedford will struggle this coming year – they will need more than just s few good men to see them safe in White.

The four relegations do make life very difficult for the marginal performers. There were some very good clubs went last year and I suspect this season will be more of the same.

On a more positive note and accepting there is a gap between Red and White – Bedford may have a rabbit available to be pulled from some body’s hat. However with no Bainbridge or Rushforth it is difficult to make a case for survival in White. So prolonging the writing will not improve their chances so the very best I can do is wish “The Bulls” well and trust they have a minor miracle available to them for the coming year.

With 11 weeks to go before the first bowl is played in anger we wish Bedford well with any recruiting they undertake and a happy stay in White albeit brief. My guess is 7th or 8th spot for the Bulls.

GO THE BULLS
Tarah