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.
2004 – Founded and competed in the LARL Merit League2005 – East Conference2006 – East Conference "Champions"2007 – East Conference "Champions"2008 – Midlands Premier – 4th2009 – Southern Premier – 5th2010 – East Conference – Runners up2011 – East Conference – 1st – Lost in Playoff Semi-final2012 – East Conference – 3rd – Lost in Playoff Semi-final2013 – East Premier – 3rd – Lost in Playoff Semi-final2014 - East Premier - 4th - Runners up2015 - East Premier - 1st - "Champions"2016 - East Premier - 1st - Runners up2004 – 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)
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
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 - Karl Siudak
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)
Phil Walker, Craig Walker, Rob Ashton, Shane Moulds, Parwaz Khan, Brian McNamara, Mike Williams and Dean Ashton, John Stanfield, Eamon Murphy
East RL Premier Champions - 2006, '07,'15,East RL Community Challenge Cup Winners - 2015, 2016East RL 9s Winners - 2015, 2016East 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 – 2006Sport Bedford Awards (Bedford County Council): Team of the Year – 2006As of 02/11/20092005 – Christopher Potts, Tony Pullen and Shane Moulds2006 – James Bull, Sam Richbell, Jamie Stead and Lee Clayton2007 – Chris Aubury, Gary Flook (C), Dan Sharp, Simon Bevan, Matt Hughes and Stuart Riding2008 – Chris Aubury and Rich Sinclair2009 – N/A2010 – N/A2011 – Charlie Stafford, Sandro Parias, Craig Walker, Lee Walker, Rob Ashton, Scott Aspinall & Euan IrwinSouth 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 RAF2008 – Rich Sinclair and Chris AuburyEngland Lionhearts 'A' Representatives
2007 – Gary FlookEngland Lionhearts Representatives
2002 – 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 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 2004Marrick Murphy – Ireland Wolfhounds v Australia and v USA (2 caps and 3 tries)Andy Wight – Scotland 9's team – London Nines 2006Stuart Riding and Richie Sinclair – London 9's rep team – London Nines 2006Simon Bevan – Wales 'A' representative 2003/2004Rob Ashton – GB Fire Service representativeToni Moliterno – Italian Exiles 2012Record Victory – 100 – 00 v Leicester Phoenix 2008Highest Score – 100 – 00, v Leicester Phoenix 2008Most tries in a game – 18 tries v Leicester Phoenix 2008As at season end 2014Tries in a Season – 18 – Ollie Fountain, 2015Tries in a Career – 45 – Sam Richbell 2005 – PresentTries 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 2008Youngest Try Scorer (1st Team) Bradley Hirons - 16 years 85 days vs SW London ChargersGoals in a Season – 70 – Rob Ashton, 2015.Goals in a Career – 215 – Rob Ashton, 2006 – 2013Goals in a Match – 14 – Chris Potts v Leicester Phoenix 2008Most Points in a Season – 164 – Rob Ashton, 2013Most Points in a Career – 534 – Rob Ashton, 2006 – PresentMost Points in a Match – 30 – Rob Ashton v MK Wolves 2013 (2 tries, 11 goals)Most Appearances – 79 – Sam Richbell 2005 – PresentAs of 2010 friendlies do not count towards statistics
Tries in a Match – 6 – Robert Harris v St Albans Centurions 2nds, 2007Goals in a Match – 11 from 12 – Rob Ashton v St Albans Centurions 2nds, 2007Points in a Match – 24 – Robert Harris v St Albans Centurions 2nds, 2007 (6T)Man of Steel - Del TribbeckYoung Player of the Yeah - Josh SpearingCoaches Player of the Year - Ben JonesPlayers Player of the Year - Paul RyderBest Newcomer - Jack PeacheyDev Team Player of the Year - Ben PetersTop Try Scorer - Ollie Fountain(18)Top Points Scorer - Rob Ashton ()Clubman of the Year - Shane MouldsMan of Steel - Sam RichbellYoung Player of the Yeah - Josh SpearingCoaches Player of the Year - Elliot LinePlayers Player of the Year - Josh SpearingBest Newcomer - Mike ScottDev Team Player of the Year - Phyl WatkinsTop Try Scorer - Euan Irwin(10)Top Points Scorer - Rob Ashton (92)Clubman of the Year - Sandro ScarcelliPlayer of the Decade - Sam RichbellOne in a Million - Gary CloughMan of Steel - Gary FlookYoung Player of the Yeah - Josh SpearingCoaches Player of the Year - Eamon MurphyPlayers Player of the Year - Euan IrwinBest Newcomer - Will PreslandDev Team Player of the Year - Tom FaulknerTop Try Scorer - Karl Siudak (9)Top Points Scorer - Rob AshtonClubman of the Year - John StanfieldMan of Steel – Lee WalkerYoung Player of the Year – Colin LiddellCoaches Player of the Year – Pat MurphyPlayers Player of the Year – Craig WalkerBest Newcomer – Luke DonaldsonMost Improved Player – Matt "Mayhem" WilsonTop Try Scorer – Lee Walker (14)Top Points Scorer – Rob Ashton (106)Clubman of the Year – Craig WalkerHere comes the BOOM!- Phil CliffOutstanding Contribution – Rachel CameronDev Team Player of the Year – John StanfieldMan of Steel (Previously "Player of the year") – Euan IrwinYoung Player of the Year – Charlie StaffordCoaches Player of the Year – Dave "Bum Bum" LowePlayers Player of the Year – Craig WalkerBest Newcomer – Lee WalkerMost Improved Player – Pat MurphyTop Try Scorer – Andy Champ (12)Top Points Scorer – Rob Ashton (128)Clubman of the Year – Robbie DolanHere comes the BOOM!- Darren PickardDev Players' Player – Nick DugganDev Coaches Player of The Year – Ash TargettDev Top Points Scorer – Dean AshtonDev Top Try Scorer – Tom StaffordDev Most Improved Player 2011 – Leigh PickardPlayer of the Year :- Paul RyderYoung Player of Year :- Scott AspinallMost Improved Player :- Craig WalkerDevelopment Team Player of Year :- Dean AshtonTop Try Scorer :- Scott Aspinall (9 Tries)Top Points Scorer :- Rob Ashton (96)Clubman of the Year :- Gary FlookOutstanding Contribution :- Graham BrownHere comes the BOOM :- Terry Carter1st team only:
Player of the year : Euan Irwin1st Grade Top points scorer : Christopher PottsBedford Tigers Young Player of the year : Terry CarterTop tryscorer – Rich Sinclair and Euan IrwinBedford Tigers Clubman of the Year : Dan BarouxBedford Tigers Outstanding Contribution award : Gary Flook1st Grade Player of the year : Zandar PedenDevelopment Team Player of the year : Jake Wheeler1st Grade Top points scorer : Zandar PedenDevelopment Team Top points scorer : Craig WalkerBedford Tigers Young Player of the year : Jack WrigglesworthBedford Tigers Most Improved Player of the year : Ollie FrancisTigers 1st Grade:
Clubman of the Year – Chris 'The Tradesman' AuburyBedford Tigers Player of the Year – Nathan Reed1st Grade Players Player – Sam RichbellMost Improved – Paul RobsonImpact Player – Marrick MurphyTop Pointscorer – Christopher PottsTop Tryscorer – Nathan ReedBest Back – Chris LeeBest Forward – Jamie GossYoung Player of the Year – Jack BrownClub Captains Award (For outstanding achievement on and off the field and going above and beyond all expectations) – Rob Ashton and Craig WalkerTigers Development Side:
Development Team Players Player – Dan BarouxDevelopment Team Top Pointscorer – Rob AshtonTigers 1st Grade:
Clubman of the Year – Christopher PottsBedford Tigers Player of the Year – Stuart Riding1st Grade Players Player – Stuart RidingMan of Steel 'Top Tackler' Award – Jamie SteadMost Improved – James BullImpact Player – Gary FlookTop Pointscorer – Christopher PottsTop Tryscorer – Stuart RidingTigers Development Side:
Development Side Players Player – Phil WalkerTop Pointscorer – Phil WalkerTop Tryscorer – Mike WilliamsTigers 1st Grade:
Clubman of the Year – Phil WalkerPlayer of the Year – Dean 'Digger' ColemanYoung Player of the Year – Alistair VeitchMost Improved – Brian McNamaraImpact Player – Sam RichbellTop Pointscorer – Christopher PottsTop Tryscorer – Dean 'Digger' ColemanTigers 1st Grade: [File:http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bedford_2004.jpg]
Clubman of the Year – Andy BuckleyTop Tryscorer – Tommy McCollinTop Pointscorer – Tommy McCollin
