Real Bedford v Bedford Town: Local rivalry set to heat up in cup final

There was a chance both Bedford teams could have been playing in National League North next season, but Real came up short in the Southern League Premier Central play-off final, losing 4-2 to Spalding United after extra time.

They were 2-1 up with just minutes to go, but a debatable penalty enabled Spalding to level the scores and go on to win the game, thereby denying Real – and Sinclair – a fourth successive promotion.

The result prompted an X post from Town, external, which said: “Congratulations to our friends @SpaldingUnited on your promotion to the @NL_Enterprise north. We look forward to welcoming you to The Eyrie next season!”

No local solidarity there then – but Sinclair said: “I have got the utmost respect for Bedford Town. I was there as a player and my dad used to take me to watch them when I was a kid – although I’m a Tottenham fan.”

He continued: “Rivalries are usually wanted by fans. As management and players, there is always that respect because we know how hard it is in football.”

There is a big contrast between the two clubs – both of whom won promotion last season to ensure they would not be in the same non-league tier in 2025-26.

Two years ago, Winkelvoss Capital, owned by billionaire twin brothers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss, invested $4.5m (about £3.6m) in Real, an unheard of sum for a club then four levels below the EFL.

Meanwhile, former Bedford Town boss Lee Bircham said last year that the club did not have the finances to compete in the Southern League Premier Central, only to then lead them to promotion as champions.

They finished 18th in National League North this season before Bircham left to be appointed by Hemel Hempstead Town earlier this month, and was replaced by his 28-year-old assistant Harry Smart.

He has a Uefa A licence and announcing his appointment last week, Town said: “His understanding of the club’s philosophy, standards, and long-term ambitions made him a natural fit for the position.”