EAGLES SOAR TO STEAL LEE!

DOUBLE WINNERS Leighton Town say they were powerless to stop manager Lee Bircham from leaving to join Bedford Town.

Bircham, 46, led the Reds to a memorable season having won the Spartan South Midlands Premier Division to reach Step 4 for the first time in their history, before then adding to the League Cup to their impressive honours’ list.

However, Bircham’s achievements did not go unnoticed and he was swiftly lured to rescue an Eagles side who finished bottom of Southern League Premier Central after picking up just two points from their last 19 games in Southern League Premier Central to confirm their retun to Step 4.

Bircham replaces former boss Gary Setchell at The New Eyrie on a two-year contract with the aim of firing the Eagles back into Step 3, assisted by former Kempston Rovers manager, Tony Joyce.

“I’m delighted to be here and honoured to be at the Eyrie. It was an opportunity that couldn’t be turned down,” Bircham said.

“I’m really thankful to all at Leighton Town for the last few seasons, but this was a chance to manage a sleeping giant of NonLeague football.

We can’t wait to get started. The work starts now on preparing for the new season and we’ll be looking at the squad make up ready for when the new season starts.

“It’s a massive club, with a good, solid and passionate fanbase.”

Leighton won the Spartan Premier by 14 clear points this season, losing just five matches out of 38 and scoring 97 goals along the way.

They are largely expected to be lining up alongside their Bedfordshire rivals in Southern League Division One Central next season, but the club admit they are miles behind the Eagles when it comes to resources and conceded that they could not prevent Bircham from making the switch.

“Unfortunately, we are unable to compete with the scale of the offer that Lee has received to join Bedford Town,” a statement read.

“To do so would risk undermining the future financial stability of our football club that we have worked tirelessly to rebuild off the field.

“Lee goes with our sincere thanks for all his efforts for the club and with our best wishes for the future. He and his family will always be welcome back.”