Bedfordshire’s cricketers will soon be gearing up for a new season – ready for action on the field but knowing that results and performances play an important part not just in the league position but in the future of the club.
In order to keep competing, representing the county and offering opportunities to young cricketers, Bedfordshire County Cricket Club needs ongoing support, and has devised a Business Membership scheme, which offers packages, starting from just £75, that means businesses can invest in a team that hopes to be seriously pushing for promotion into the NCCA East Division One this year.
In 2026, Bedfordshire will compete on three fronts: the Championship, the 50-over Trophy, and the growing Twenty20 competition. In 2025, Bedfordshire travelled the long distance to take on Northumberland with everything to play for, a win giving them promotion and emulating their 2023 success. A weakened side travelled to the game and, unfortunately, further injuries during the game led to a defeat and a disappointing third-place finish in the NCCA East Division Two. Th e squad is eager to climb back to Division One this year.
The National Counties season, running from April to September, can cost the club more than £55,000, with only £36,000 of that coming from official funding. The rest must be found the hard way, working off the field and behind the scenes to meet the cost of travel, physio retainers, and hotel bills from long away trips to the likes of Cumbria, Northumberland and Wales.
Chris Tarling, the club’s Head of Fundraising, said: “We really need to be self-financing, and I believe we can achieve this by increasing our membership both with individuals and businesses. For 2026 we’re giving individual members opportunities to be rewarded with local company discounts and monthly draws whilst offering businesses networking opportunities and recognition on our social media channels.
“We are already brilliantly supported by Th e Beard Group, Jaltex Ltd, Real Bedford, Endoline Automation and Harrisons Accountants but we need to try to spread the financial cost further afield.
“From £75, Business membership allows members to use the Bedfordshire logo and get entry to networking events over the year both in and out of the season with one being held at a home three-day game in August. The £125 Business Plus option includes player sponsorship, lots of recognition on social-media and discounted hospitality at all home fixtures. We’ve already secured three Business Plus members for 2026, and we are delighted new businesses Beford Independent, Roam Café Bistro and A&A Legacy Travel have got involved, but we need more”
Bedfordshire County Cricket Club goes back 126 years, and has helped launch the careers of many players, including Graeme Swann, Alex Wakely and Monty Panesar.
Last year, Amrit Basra, who played 37 times for the county, earned a two-year professional contract with Derbyshire; and the club continues to nurture talents like former Bedford School boys Jamie Dunk, capped for Scotland’s Under-19s and currently playing twos cricket with Leicestershire, and Northamptonshire pathway graduate Archie Houghton, alongside Chris’s 21-year-old son, Jake, who starred in the 2023 Super 4s, earning a call up to an U19 England Invitational side to take on Australia & Ireland at Loughborough.
Chris added: “Every season we face the same challenges to keep the club running, and small investments like those from Business Membership can make a big difference to a club fighting to stand on its own feet. The community is fantastic and has always supported us and we’d love to see more businesses come on board and be part of what we hope will be a great season for the club.”
Anyone wanting to help can contact Chris Tarling at fundraising@bedsccc.co.uk or chris@waterhalltrading.co.uk
