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| Established | 2006 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Based in | Bedford, Bedfordshire | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Home stadium | Phil Cottier Field, Bedford International Athletics Stadium, Barkers Lane, Bedford, MK41 9SB | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Head coach | Chris Wallis, Craig Ramsay | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| General manager | Steve Guy, Tony Law | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League | BAFA National Leagues | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division | Division 2 East | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| League titles | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Division titles | None | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Current uniform | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Bedfordshire Blue Raiders were an American Football team competing in Division 2 East of the BAFA National Leagues (BAFANL). They entered the British American Football League in 2008 as one of five expansion teams, and play their home games at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium.
The Bedfordshire Blue Raiders merged with local rivals Milton Keynes Pathfinders in 2013 and formed Ouse Valley Eagles
History
The Blue Raiders were formed in August 2006 by Dave "Hanky Panky" Pankhurst and Steve Guy to replace the former teams from local towns such as Luton, Dunstable and Milton Keynes who all found success during the 1980s and 1990s.[1] After quickly recruiting coaches (starting with Chris Wallis, former head coach of local rivals Peterborough Saxons and Cambridgeshire Cats who Guy knew from their time together at the University of Cambridge Pythons BCAFL team in the mid-1990s) and a full playing squad.
The team were accepted as associate members of the BAFL in August 2007.
2007
As part of the BAFL's requirements for associate members, the Blue Raiders arranged the two friendly matches which would enable them to gain full membership and enter the league the following season. The first of these was a home game played on 9 September 2007 against the Maidstone Pumas. Despite the visiting team scoring a first period touchdown, the Raiders were able to come back to win 18–8.[2] Their away friendly match was played four weeks later against the Leicester Falcons, who themselves were associate members aiming to join the league. The Raiders lost 0–32. Two weeks later they played their third friendly match away to another associate team, the Milton Keynes City Pathfinders. Despite an early setback when their player-coach Anthony Coverdale dislocated his knee during the kickoff, they recorded a convincing 35–0 win.
The following month, it was confirmed that the Blue Raiders application to become full members had been accepted by the BAFL, and so they were entered into the league for the 2008 season where they were placed into the Eastern Conference of Division Two alongside the Peterborough Saxons, Cambridgeshire Cats, Watford Cheetahs and fellow expansion team the Milton Keynes City Pathfinders.[3]
2007 Roster
| Bedfordshire Blue Raiders 2007 roster | ||||||
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Quarterbacks
Running backs
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Wide receivers
Offensive linemen
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Defensive linemen
Defensive backs
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Linebackers
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Coaching staff
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Player awards
The 2007 end-of-season awards took place at Bedford Athletic Stadium:
Blue Raider of the Year – Steve Guy
Players Player of the Year – Lee Hayward
Offensive Player of the Year – Lee Hayward
Defensive Player of the Year – Kevin Elsdon & Paul Settle
Special Teams of the Year – Dean Faulder & Chad Chisolm
Rookie of the Year – Paul Settle
Head Coach's Blue Raider of the Year – Anthony Coverdale
Head Coach's Player of the Year – Mark Davis, Tony Law & Martin Songhurst joint winners
2008
2008 Roster
| Bedfordshire Blue Raiders 2008 roster | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
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Tight ends
Offensive linemen
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Defensive linemen
|
Defensive backs
Linebackers
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Coaching staff
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Player awards
The 2008 end-of-season awards took place at The Flower Pot in Bedford:
Blue Raider of the Year – Andy Barnard
Player of the Year – Mike Wilson
Offensive Player of the Year – Mike Wilson
Defensive Player of the Year – John Murphy
Special Teams Player of the Year – Michael Cox
Rookie of the Year – John Murphy
Coaches Player of the Year – John Murphy
Head Coach's Player of the Year – Iain Connor & Tony Law
Head Coach's Blue Raider of the Year – Andy Barnard & Steve Guy
2009
In Blue Raiders most successful season they reach their first (and only) Playoff only to be stopped by Colchester Gladiators for the 3rd time this season.
The team were ranked 4th in the conference at the end of the regular season and therefore qualified for a playoff position.
Being ranked 4th meant that they were to meet the number one ranked qualifying team the Colchester Gladiators.
Raiders lost 16 / 41 to the Gladiators.
Coach Wallis Steps Down
The Bedfordshire Blue Raiders announce that head coach, Chris Wallis steps down.
Blue Raiders Announce New GM
General Manager and Founder Member, Steve Guy announced step down, although he will remain a part of the Blue Raiders organisation in the future.
Former QB Tony Law takes over the reins at the team and unveils to the team the re-brand and the future of the team on his watch.
Blue Raiders sign new head coach
The Bedfordshire Blue Raiders announce the appointment of Craig Ramsay as the next head coach of the team.
2009 Roster
| Bedfordshire Blue Raiders 2009 Roster | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
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Tight ends
Offensive linemen
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Defensive linemen
Linebackers
|
Defensive backs
|
Coaching staff
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2010
This season saw the public unveiling of the new Blue Raiders logo aka "Kiefer" after its initial unveiling to the team at the 2009 Awards evening.