The fourth in our series of articles examining the clubs our Men’s First Team will play in their Isthmian League South Central season takes the short trip to our nearest divisional neighbours.
There are a few parallels between the development of Bedfont Sports and our own club’s journey. Like us, Sports started out by playing in the Hounslow & District League and have developed both their playing strength and infrastructure from the grassroots up.
Formed in 2002, Bedfont Sports progressed through the Hounslow & District and Middlesex County Leagues to reach the Combined Counties League. In 2011-12, Sports were promoted to Step 5 as Combined Counties League Division One runners-up. Another runners-up finish, in the 2017-18 Premier Division, earned promotion to Step 4. In 2021-22, Bedfont finished third in the Isthmian League South Central division but were beaten at home in their play-off semi-final. A few months later, their manager – former Ashford captain Paul Johnson – moved to Farnham Town after seven years at Hatton Road and Sports were relegated in 2023. Finishing third in Combined Counties Premier North in 2023-24, Sports were again beaten in the play-offs, but they ended that hoodoo and returned to the Isthmian League by finishing second in their division, then beating North Greenford United and Harefield United in the play-offs. Last season, Sports were 15th in the South Central division.
There are just two and a half miles between the clubs on a ground-to-ground road journey which takes a little under ten minutes to drive. By public transport from Ashford and Stanwell, the most reliable bus route is the 203, which passes Ashford Hospital, goes through Stanwell and past the Airport End of Long Lane, before passing Bedfont Sports Club.
The ground itself is an impressive facility with a 3G pitch and cover on all four sides of the main pitch including more than 750 seats which, given that the club started with a single derelict building and a field is some going.
Yes, there have been sixteen meetings over the last twelve years. Ashford have won six, Sports seven, with three draws. All the details are below.
| Season | Match Date | H/A | Competition | Division / Stage | Res | GF | GA | Scorers | Other Info | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014-15 | 25/08/2014 | H | Combined Counties League | Premier Division | W | 4 | 1 | Fleming | Hughes 2 | Bitmead | |
| 2014-15 | 11/11/2014 | H | Middlesex Senior Cup | Second Round | P | 4 | 4 | Beadle 2 | Green | Moody | after extra time. Ashford lost 2-4 on penalties |
| 2014-15 | 06/04/2015 | A | Combined Counties League | Premier Division | W | 2 | 0 | Fleming 2 | |||
| 2015-16 | 17/10/2015 | A | Combined Counties League | Premier Division | W | 1 | 0 | Webb | |||
| 2015-16 | 12/03/2016 | H | Combined Counties League | Premier Division | W | 3 | 2 | Beadle | Luckins | Kazi | |
| 2018-19 | 29/12/2018 | A | Isthmian League | South Central Division | L | 0 | 4 | ||||
| 2018-19 | 22/04/2019 | H | Isthmian League | South Central Division | W | 2 | 1 | Bitmead 2 | |||
| 2019-20 | 03/09/2019 | H | Isthmian League Cup | Group 8 | L | 0 | 2 | ||||
| 2019-20 | 22/10/2019 | A | Middlesex Senior Cup | First Round | L | 0 | 2 | ||||
| 2019-20 | 02/11/2019 | H | Isthmian League | South Central Division | L | 0 | 1 | ||||
| 2019-20 | 22/02/2020 | A | Isthmian League | South Central Division | D | 0 | 0 | ||||
| 2021-22 | 28/08/2021 | H | Isthmian League | South Central Division | L | 2 | 3 | Bunyan | Brown | ||
| 2021-22 | 11/12/2021 | A | Isthmian League | South Central Division | L | 1 | 2 | McLeish-White | |||
| 2022-23 | 29/08/2022 | H | Isthmian League | South Central Division | W | 1 | 0 | Doukoure | |||
| 2022-23 | 26/12/2022 | A | Isthmian League | South Central Division | D | 2 | 2 | Brown 2 | |||
| 2023-24 | 10/10/2023 | A | Middlesex Senior Cup | First Round | L | 0 | 4 | ||||
Forget Everton v Liverpool, Celtic v Rangers or the Tyne-Wear Derby, Ashford Town (Middlesex) v Bedfont Sports is the first match you should be putting in your 2026-27 season planner. Buy a Season Ticket and being there could cost as little as £3.13.
Our incredible value £100 season ticket includes 21 home Men’s First Team League matches and 11 Women’s First Team League matches, meaning that anyone present at all 32 fixtures pays just £3.13 per match. Season Ticket holders also get 20% off purchases in the Clubhouse and at the Tea Bar for the entire season, so why wouldn’t you?
