Bedford FC is a local football club which has seen the merger of two clubs, being Bedford United & Valerio Football Club.

Bedford United Football Club was formed in 1957, originally as the works team of printers Diemer & Reynolds. Founder member Jim McMullen is remembered in the name of our ground – McMullen Park. Peter Chamberlain has been connected with the club since 1964 when he played for 10 years and was chairman for many years he is now a vice-president. Another vice-president is Steve Brown who played for us between1977–1990 and received five annual awards in that period. The club first played on a local works team pitch, then moved to nearby Cople before playing for many years at Allen Park, Bedford. They then moved to Fairhill and played there until Sainsbury’s bought the land. As part of the deal with the Council they were located at Hillgrounds, Kempston until moving to their present location in 1996. The club entered into a trial merger with Bedford Town F.C. in the year 2000, but things never worked out and the season 2001 – 2002 saw them back with their own administration. After protracted discussions with a local football club, US Valerio, the two clubs decided to join forces and become Bedford United & Valerio FC for the season 2002-3. A full merger was completed at the end of 2005-6 season. And from 2006-7 season for the first time and then onwards, seventeen youth teams, the local league Saturday team, Sunday team and the Senior team will bear the merged name of Bedford Valerio United F.C., with hopefully the Senior team will benefit for tirst time with youth team players progressing through to the Senior team.
Most Notable Cup Final Win was in the season 1966/67 when we beat Ampthill Town in the final of the Bedford Charity Cup 2-1 on Bedford Town’s old ground. They had disposed of Wootton Blue Cross and Shefford on the way, all the clubs competing in higher leagues.
Most Notable Friendly Versus an Arsenal team brought to Bedford by the late George Armstrong. This was on the 16th July 1977 and drew a crowd of about 500 spectators. Highlights were shown on Anglia TV. The match was arranged to commemorate Jim McMullen's 40 years with the club.
Most Notable Cup Game In the FA Cup at home to Kingstonian, a powerful team at that time. This was on Sunday 14th September 1997 and we lost 5-1. The game was played on Bedford Town’s Ground.
The Mayor of Bedford, Councillor Frank Garrick and John Cleverly named United’s present ground, McMullen Park at the official opening on September 5th 1996.
Previous Leagues: Bedford & District League 1957–1969; United Counties League 1969–1979 (name changed to Bedford United); Bedford & District League 1979–1989; South Midlands League 1989–1997; Spartan South Midlands League from 1997.
Record Gate: 1,500 in December 1991, v Bedford Town.
Top Scorer: Neil Tysoe 220 goals in 270 appearances.
Top Scorer in a season: Neil Tysoe 45 and Brian Ebbs 45 goals.
Record Appearances: Simon Fordham 418 in 16 seasons 1974-1990.
Club Honours Include: Bedford & District Premier League 1967–1968; Bedford & District Division 1 1979–1980; Bedfordshire Junior Cup 1979–1980; Bedford Charity Cup 1966–1967; Britannia Cup 1967–1968; Biggleswade Knock-Out Cup 1967–1968, Runners-Up 1965–1966, 1968–1969; Butcher Cup 1979–1980, 1985–1986, Runners-Up 1992–1993; Aubrey Tingey Cup Runner-Up 1984–1985; South Midlands Senior League Cup 1995–1996; Beds Senior Trophy Finalists 2006/07.

US VALERIO CLUB HISTORY

Formerly known as the Unione Sportiva Valerio, the name coming from the Italian for “Sporting Union” plus the surname of the founder Mr. Nicola Valerio, the club started in 1985 in the Michael R Peters Sunday League achieving relative success over the years. US Valerio won the Harrison & Rowley Cup in season 2005/6.
It did not get into junior and youth football until the 2000/2001 seasons when 4 teams were entered into the former Bedford Chesham League.
The Club had noted that there were many talented youngsters around and decided to develop a section dedicated to junior and youth football. Since then the Club has grown from strength to strength. In the 2001/2002 season we expanded to 11 teams, in 2002/2003 we had 12 teams and in 2003/2004 we had 15 teams. For the present season 2006/2007 the Club has 13 teams.
The Club is registered with the Bedfordshire Football Association; the Junior (7 teams) in the Filmergraphics League, while the Youth (6 teams) is in the Chiltern League. In 2006 the Club achieved the Charter Standard Status. The majority of the club managers and assistant managers have achieved level 1, 2 or 3 in coaching, first aid and have the child protection certificate. In addition to these qualifications, the managers and assistant managers have been CRB (Police Record Disclosure) checked. Bedford Valerio United F.C. has a Men’s team playing in the Bedford & District Sunday League. Having worked alongside the semi-professional side Bedford United & Valerio F.C. we have now merged into one, with teams from Under 7’s through to a senior first team making BEDFORD VALERIO UNITED F.C.
The Club has recently started its very own Saturday morning Soccer School for boys as well as girls aged 4-9 years. With more than 100 children on register, this has proved to be a big success.


BEDFORD FOOTBALL CLUB, SEASON 2007/08 –
A FIFTIETH ANNIVERSARY AND A NEW BEGINNING