Real Bedford End of Season Award Winners
It was another hugely successful season for Real Bedford with both the men’s and women’s teams winning their respective league titles.
The men’s side picked up an impressive 104 points in the Southern League Division One Central, securing a third consecutive league title. Meanwhile, the women’s team won two trophies, finishing two points ahead of Norwich City in the FAWNL Division One South East and beating Luton Town 5-0 in the final of the County Cup at Kenilworth Road.
The awards for both teams included Players’ Player of the Season, International Player of the Season, Fans Player of the Season and Goal of the Season
You can see the full list of award winners below.
Men’s team
Players’ Player of the Season – Josh Setchell
Josh Setchell was selected as the Players’ Player of the Season. His hard work, dedication, and contribution to the team has been next to none. He scored 17 league goals, including a crucial brace against Beaconsfield Town in late December.
The match looked like it was heading for a draw following a second half equaliser from Manu Oke-William. However, the Pirates’ number seven was on hand to slot past the goalkeeper in the 86th minute to secure an important victory on the road.
International Player of the Season – Joey Evans
Joey Evans was the recipient of the International Player of the Season award after an impressive 40 goals in all competitions. This included 39 goals in the league, putting him seven ahead of Wiktor Makowski as the Golden Boot winner. Voted by our loyal fans, following every match from all over the world.
Our number nine played a leading role in the dramatic 5-5 draw against Flackwell Heath at the Ledger Stadium in February. The Pirates found themselves 5-3 down in the second half with ten men following Jack Morrell’s first-half dismissal. Setchell halved the deficit with 15 minutes to play before Evans tucked away a spot kick in the fifth minute of additional time to complete his hat-trick and secure an improbable point.
Fans’ Player of the Season – Drew Richardson
Drew Richardson was voted Fans’ Player of the Season by our local fans who attend every home and away match. His contribution to the team and consistent performances was a key attribute to all our fans. Drew formed a reliable midfield partnership with captain Lee Watkins during the 2024/25 season. After joining the club in November 2023, Richardson initially played at centre-back. Early into the 2024/25 campaign, the number two moved up into midfield, establishing himself as a crucial part of Rob Sinclair’s title-winning team.
Richardson also played an important role in the closing stages of the season, picking up two consecutive man of the match awards against Aylesbury United and Kings Langley.
Goal of the Season – Joey Evans v Beaconsfield Town
Joey Evans won Goal of the Season with a fantastic team goal against Beaconsfield Town on Saturday 29th March. Starting from the back and flowing all the way up the pitch, finished off with some intricate interplay between Archie Jones, Ben Stevens, and finally Joey Evans, who smashed it home. A superb goal that will go down in the history books.
Women’s team
Players’ Player of the Season – Gemma Biggadike
Gemma Biggadike was brought in by Charlie Bill in July, becoming the club captain for the 2024/25 season. The charismatic number four led by example throughout the campaign, even putting in a shift as a goalkeeper for the final league game against Dulwich Hamlet.
Overall, Biggadike made 27 appearances in all competitions, scoring once, registering seven assists, and lifting two trophies. A true leader.
International Fans’ Player of the Season – Amber Gaylor
Voted by our loyal fans, following every match from all over the world, Amber Gaylor was awarded with the International Fans’ Player of the Season. Amber arrived at Real Bedford with a big reputation following an impressive FA Cup performance against the Pirates in November 2023, while playing for Billericay Town.
The former Crystal Palace and Millwall midfielder scored a number of impressive goals throughout the season, including a 40-yard strike against QPR and London Seaward at the Ledger Stadium. Gaylor ended the campaign with seven goals and four assists in 13 appearances, including a man of the match performance against Luton in the County Cup final at Kenilworth Road.
Fans’ Player of the Season – Abbie Bensted
Abbie Bensted was an integral part of the title-winning squad, scoring 23 goals and registering eight assists in 28 appearances in all competitions, making her a favourite amongst our local supporters. Abbie has scored some world class goals for the Pirates this season. One of her most important strikes came against title-rivals Norwich City in February.
The Pirates went into the game five points ahead of the Canaries and a point behind league leaders, Chatham Town. Natasha Snelling scored the opener for the visitors, and with 15 minutes to go, Bill’s side were heading to their first league defeat. Bensted responded, though, firing a left-footed shot into the bottom right corner in the 75th minute to secure an important point.
Goal of the Season – Amber Gaylor vs Actonians
Gaylor was no stranger to a wonder strike in her first season for the Pirates. This included her left-footed effort against Actonians in March, which was voted as the Goal of the Season.
After being frustrated for large spells in the first-half, Gaylor received the ball from Bensted 20 yards out before taking a touch and unleashing a powerful left-footed shot into the top corner to break the deadlock.
A massive thank you to all of our fans this season, your support is everything and we cannot do it without you.
See you all next season… Up The Pirates
