Real Bedford Women Sign Five New Players
Real Bedford can confirm the signings of five new players. Chloe Tambula, Rubie Smith, Erica Meale, Millie Pullen, and Alex Fuggle have all signed for the Pirates.
Here is everything you need to know about each new addition:
Chloe Tambula
Chloe Tambula arrives with first-team experience at Watford and London Bees. She came through the development system at Watford, eventually making her first-team debut against Queens Park Rangers in the FAWNL Cup on 20th October 2024.
She went on to make four appearances in all competitions for the Golden Girls before joining London Bees in November 2024.
Tambula made 11 appearances in all competitions for London Bees, scoring twice against Chatham Town in the Women’s FA Cup and FAWNL Division One South East.
The Bees enjoyed a successful end to the campaign, reaching the fourth round of the Women’s FA Cup and finishing fourth in the FAWNL Division One South East, which was eight points behind Charlie Bill’s title-winners.
The 21-year-old was an unused substitute against AFC Wimbledon in the FAWNL Southern Premier Division opener, before playing 90 minutes in the FAWNL Cup victory against Cambridge United on Wednesday 20th and against Cheltenham Town on 24th.
Rubie Smith
Rubie Smith comes with experience playing for Watford Women in the second and third tiers.
Smith joined Watford at the age of 11, staying there for five years before joining Harlow Town Ladies between 2017 and 2019. She made 30 appearances during her two-year stay at the Hawks, scoring three times.
The 23-year-old returned to Watford in 2019, working her way up from the Development Team to the first-team.
Smith made her debut for the Golden Girls in October 2019 and was a part of the squad for the next three seasons. This included half a season in the Women’s Championship in the 2021/22 campaign.
Smith tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in 2022, which meant she took a three-year hiatus from the game.
The talented midfielder returned to action this pre-season, featuring for the Pirates in games against AFC Sudbury, Cambridge United, Fulham and Loughborough Lightning.
The 23-year-old was an unused substitute against AFC Wimbledon, Cambridge United and Cheltenham Town.
Erica Meale
Erica Meale has started in both competitive matches so far this season. The young shot-stopper also featured in all five pre-season games, impressing with her distribution.
Meale spent the 2023/24 season at King’s Lynn Town Ladies, playing in the Eastern Region Women’s Football League Premier Division, which is the fifth tier. Meale impressed, winning the club’s Most Recognised Player and Player of the Season awards.
The young goalkeeper stayed in the same division, joining Cambridge City. She made 27 appearances as the Lilywhites finished 11th.
Meale was also a central figure in the club’s Women’s FA Cup run, which saw them reach the first round proper for only the second time in the competition’s history. She impressed in the first round match against Stevenage.
Erica has already made her mark by starting every match of the season so far.
Millie Pullen
Mille Pullen spent her early years at The New Saints, Wolves and Shrewsbury Town. This included a 97-goal season in the 2015/16 campaign for Wolves Under-11s, Shrewsbury Town youth development side and Trinity Church of England Primary School.
Her performances in the West Midlands grabbed the attention of Manchester City, prompting her to trial for the club. She opted to stay at Wolves, though, spending another five years there before switching to Birmingham City in 2021.
Pullen spent the next two seasons in the academy setup at the Blues, featuring for the Under-21s.
Her first-team breakthrough came in the 2023/24 season, when she made two appearances for the Women’s Championship side.
Pullen then signed for West Bromwich Albion in the 2024/25 campaign under a dual-registration. She made four appearances for the Baggies in the FAWNL Northern Premier Division, while also training and playing for Birmingham’s academy.
The 2024/25 season saw Pullen score 25 goals and register 23 assists for Birmingham’s Under-21s, helping them win the Under-21 PGA Cup. The 20-year-old scored twice and registered two assists in the final, beating Leicester City 4-3.
The versatile forward, who can play as a striker and out wide, also comes with international experience, representing the Republic of Ireland at youth level.
Pullen came on for her debut in our 4-1 loss to Cheltenham Town.
Alex Fuggle
Alex Fuggle spent time at both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur’s academies. She then received a scholarship to play for Middle Tennessee State University in 2020.
The defender impressed in Tennessee, earning herself a move to the NCAA Division One side, Seton Hall University, in 2022.
Fuggle most recently joined Spezia Women in Italy for the 2024/25 season. The club launched their first-ever women’s team in September 2024 and competed in Serie C.
The 23-year-old was an important member of the Spezia squad that won the league and cup double. They won 25 out of 28 league games, conceding only 13 goals, with Fuggle leading the backline.
Spezia also won the Coppa Italia Serie C final, beating Frosinone on penalties in Florence. Fuggle played an important role in this cup victory, scoring the winning goal in the quarter-final against Lesmo.
Tambula, Smith, Meale, Fuggle and Pullen will all be available for selection for Sunday’s clash against Lewes.
Welcome to the Pirates, Chloe, Rubie, Erica, Millie, and Alex.
