Jack Davies became the first-ever player to move from Bedford Town to Real Bedford in the summer. The 22-year-old was a pivotal figure for the Eagles last season as they won the Southern League Premier Central title.

Davies even scored on the final day of the campaign against Stourbridge to secure Bedford Town’s promotion to step two for the first time since 2007. Speaking about his experience at the Eagles, Davies said:

“Bedford Town was great for me and my development. It was the first year I played step three after a difficult start to the season when I was released by Hemel. To play that amount of games and go on to win the league was good. The league is so tough, but we kept grinding out results. I’ll always be grateful for my time there.”

He added: “Scoring was a great feeling. I don’t get many, and for it to be on the final day when we won the league was special.”

Davies was scouted by MK Dons at the age of nine. He progressed through the age groups and was eventually offered a scholarship at 16.

A year later, he signed a three-year professional deal with the club, making five first-team appearances for the Dons, including a 13-minute cameo against Peterborough United in League One.

Speaking about the transition from academy to professional football, Davies said:

“The transition to senior football was tough. The training intensity was much higher and there was a bigger pressure to perform.”

Davies had loan spells at Oxford City and Concord Rangers while he was under contract at MK Dons. He signed for National League South side, Oxford City, at 17. After making 18 appearances in the 2021/22 season, he joined Concord Rangers in the following campaign. Limited playing time at the Beach Boys meant he rejoined the Hoops on loan in January 2023, though.

Ross Jenkins’ side went on to win the play-offs, beating St Albans in the final to gain promotion to the fifth tier of the English pyramid for the first time in the club’s history. Speaking about his time at Oxford City, Davies said:

“I loved my time at Oxford City. Playing in the National League South at 17 was definitely something that improved me as a player, and getting a promotion the second time I was there was top.”

Davies then spent time at Banbury United and Hemel Hempstead Town in the National League North and South, respectively. His time at Hemel was cut short in the 2024/25 season, prompting him to join Bedford Town on a dual-registration basis.

After gaining promotion with Lee Bircham’s side, Davies was in demand from a number of clubs this summer. The 22-year-old decided to join the Pirates in June 2025, becoming the club’s first signing ahead of the upcoming campaign.

Speaking about his first impressions of Real Bedford, Davies said:

“Yeah, it’s been great since I came in. All the lads are unreal and are so down to earth. There is some proper talent within the squad. I also think there’s a lot of potential for the club. There is a lot of stuff happening, so it will be good to see where it can get to in the next five years.”

Despite a perfect pre-season that saw Rob Sinclair’s side win every game, the Pirates struggled in the first few weeks of their Southern League Premier Central campaign. After an opening day victory against promotion contenders Spalding United, Real Bedford went winless in seven matches in all competitions. Speaking about the tricky start to the season, Davies said:

“It was a frustrating start, but it was never going to be easy. It’s easy to assume after three promotions back to back that it’s going to be a walk in the park, but it was never going to be the case.”

Since the 2-0 defeat to Redditch United, the Pirates are unbeaten in seven matches, lifting themselves to eighth in the table – two points behind Alvechurch, who occupy the final play-off spot.

Davies added: “I think there are lads who have been brilliant in the last few weeks and we just need to keep the momentum going and churning out results.”

“We need to aim high and get towards the play-off places. Who knows what could happen? I will play as many games as I can and help the team get to where we want to be at the end of the season.”

Davies has only started two of the last seven matches due to a persistent ankle injury. He suffered the injury away at St Ives Town in late August, before making his return against Bury Town on 9th September. After missing a few games, the injury flared up again on his return to the starting lineup against Stamford in the FA Trophy earlier this month.

Davies said: “The injury is getting there, but it has been very frustrating as I thought I’d recovered from it. I’m hoping I’ll be back soon, helping out the boys.”

Next up for the Pirates is a home game against Ashford United in the first round of the Isuzu FA Trophy. Davies will be keen to get back on the pitch soon in the hope that he can contribute towards a potential third non-league promotion.