Bedford RUFC was founded in 1886 after an amalgamation between Bedford Rovers (1876) and Bedford Swifts (1882). Both parent clubs had close connections with Bedford and Bedford Modern Schools and both had fixtures with the leading teams of the period.
The Bedford colours of dark and light blue are believed to be a reflection of the schoolmasters association with Oxbridge and the full badge colours are based on the strip of Swifts (black) and Rovers (cerise).
During the 1960s there were three Bedford players regularly in the England team with David Perry and Budge Rogers captaining their country. In the 1969-70 season, Bedford won the Sunday Telegraph English-Welsh Rugby Table. Probably, the Blues finest hour was in 1975 when Bedford, captained by Budge Rogers beat Rosslyn Park in the final of the Knock-out Cup at Twickenham 28-12. There was a gate of nearly 18,000 which at the time was a record attendance.
Bedford have been playing on virtually the same pitch for over 100 years and 32 players have gained international honours while they were actually playing for the club at the time of being honoured. In recent years the Blues have reached the British & Irish Cup final on one occasion losing to Bristol as well as reaching the Championship final once – suffering a two-legged defeat to Newcastle Falcons.
It’s been an up and down few seasons for Bedford Blues ever since they reached the Championship final against Newcastle Falcons in 2013. Losing key players resulted in two tough seasons which saw the Blues finishing ninth in 2013/14 and then tenth the following season.
However, Bedford found their feet once again in the 2015/16 campaign as they bounced back. Having kicked off the season with a win against Bristol at Ashton Gate, the Blues continued to rack up wins and with a good run after Christmas, went on to finish in the top four and secure a play-off semi-final place against Bristol who ultimately went on to win promotion to the Aviva Premiership.
Bedford finished the 2018/19 season in third position behind champions London Irish and runners up Ealing.
With COVID-19 prematurely ending the 2019/20 season, the Blues finished eighth.
During the 2021/22 season, Bedford clinched fifth place.
