Remembering Nicky English

Real Bedford Women, and Real Bedford Ladies & Girls are deeply saddened by the passing of former player Nicky English.

Nicky played for the club from the age of eleven, having come through at Flitwick Eagles under Bill Storey and Martin Vass. Flitwick were trailblazers in the early 2000s. With no leagues available for girls of that age, their coaches created a girls’ team that competed directly in boys’ football leagues.

That decision led to incredible success. Alongside winning multiple grassroots leagues and cups, the team went on to produce several Bedford Ladies first-team players, including Nicky, Sophie Britton, Becca Vass and Lottie Burton, who is currently Real Bedford Men’s first-team physio.

A tough-tackling and hard-working midfielder, Nicky enjoyed great success through the club’s junior section. She progressed to the first team at seventeen and was part of the county cup winning teams in 2012 and 2014. In 2014, she was also part of the team that achieved promotion to national level for the first time in the club’s history.

Nicky was loved by her teammates and coaches for her incredible spirit, sense of humour and competitiveness. She embodied everything you would want to see in a young player. She was fearless, and her energy was utterly infectious.

We send our love to her Mum and Dad, Bill and Sheila, her two boys and her whole family.