In January 2014 the Eagles were featured in the ‘Bedford on Sunday’ when Nick Smith interviewed Chairman Neale McMaster. The article is below, with a link to the original article at the bottom.
American Football: New team formed after merger
Written by NICK SMITH
A NEW American football team has been formed, as the Bedfordshire Blue Raiders and Milton Keynes Pathfinders have merged.
The two teams were divisional rivals last season, but have merged in order to become more of a force in the British American Football National League (BAFANL), forming the Ouse Valley Eagles.
Twenty-seven-year-old Neale McMaster, who was newly appointed chairman of the Raiders, contacted Pathfinders chairman Mark Chilton and the two managed to broker a merger of the two clubs.
McMaster, who is also offensive co-ordinator for the Eagles said: “We agreed to the merger because there was no point of having two mediocre teams in the area, when we could combine and make some noise.
“There is no danger of any potential players being turned away, as long as you are over 18.
“We are looking for at least 70 committed players and between 10 and 15 putting in shifts as and when they can.”
Despite the senior team only being open to those over 18, the Eagles are looking at bringing in a youth team to open the sport up to younger people in the near future.
The newly founded club has set ambitions targets, with Mr McMaster saying: “As a first year team, we will be looking to make the play offs. Given the depth of talent we should be strong enough to do that.
In the hunt for new players we will be casting the net for potential players across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Northamptonshire and places like St. Neots.”
The team is currently based in Bedford, at the Bedford International Athletics Stadium (BIAS) [former home of the Raiders]. But they could move in the near future.
“BIAS currently gives us the best value for money, but we are looking at other venues. We want to find one with a stand to give the fans a real match day experience, rather than just at a field currently. We have had discussions with Cranfield University and also several local rugby clubs.”
With five months until the new season begins, Mr McMaster hopes to find a new home for the newly formed club before they start playing.