Bedford Town has confirmed that long-serving manager Lee Bircham is set to step down at the end of the current season, bringing to a close a transformative chapter in the club’s recent history.
The club made the announcement in a statement on 12 April 2026, revealing that Bircham will remain in charge for the final two fixtures of the National League North campaign, but will not continue into the 2026/27 season.
Bircham took the reins at Bedford Town in May 2023, arriving from Leighton Town after the Eagles had suffered relegation to the Southern League Central Division One. Tasked with rebuilding a squad from scratch - the club reportedly had no registered players when he started - he quickly set about restoring fortunes at The Eyrie.
Under his leadership, Bedford Town enjoyed a remarkable ascent up the non-league pyramid. The Eagles secured promotion via the play-offs in his first season and followed that up with an even more impressive campaign by winning the Southern League Premier Central title, clinching back-to-back promotions and earning a return to step two football for the first time in nearly two decades.
Despite those highs, this season has proved more challenging. Bedford Town currently sit 17th in the National League North and remain in a precarious position with two games left to play.
The club’s board publicly thanked Bircham for his contributions over the last three years, highlighting the “extraordinary period of progression” the team has enjoyed under his guidance and wishing him well for the future.
In his own remarks Bircham described his decision to leave as “with a genuine heavy heart,” clarifying that he does not yet have another job lined up and remains fully committed to Bedford Town through the season’s close.
Bircham’s tenure wasn’t without controversy. Early in the 2025–26 season he received a nine-match ban and finefollowing comments about a referee, forcing him to watch several games from the stands. There were also moments of managerial uncertainty; reports earlier in the season suggested he had briefly considered leaving before recommitting after budget discussions.
Nevertheless, his impact on Bedford Town’s fortunes - turning a struggling side into a team capable of competing higher up the non-league ladder - will be remembered fondly by supporters.
His final match in charge is scheduled for 25 April against Scarborough, after which he will depart the club, drawing to a close one of the most successful managerial spells in recent Eagles history.
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