Former Wales full-back Mike Rayer has simply accomplished a exceptional twentieth season in command of Bedford Blues. In the identical interval that Leicester have had 14 males in cost, Bedford have had simply the one.
Rayer, who additionally performed for the Blues within the early days of professionalism, got here on board for the beginning of the 2005/06 season and his first recreation resulted in a 16-16 draw at Otley. He has since presided over 588 video games.
For many of these twenty years, the Blues have been a part-time outfit, however have been greater than a match for many of their English second-tier rivals. In 16 of Rayer’s 20 seasons, Bedford have completed within the prime half of the desk, and this season they had been runners-up for the fourth time on his watch, which reveals his urge for food for the job reveals no signal of diminishing.
“I’d be mendacity if I didn’t inform you there are good days and dangerous days, like most jobs. However there are worse issues on this world to be doing,” he mentioned, reflecting on his tenure there.
“I take it on a day-by-day foundation and I are available in and attempt to do the job to the most effective of my capability and hopefully that ensures the gamers can come into a great surroundings and do what they do effectively and go and luxuriate in themselves as a result of that’s what it’s all about – having fun with good moments on and off the sphere with good folks.”
As a membership, Bedford have been a mannequin of stability and sustainability since native businessman Geoff Irvine rescued the membership from monetary oblivion 1 / 4 of a century in the past. The Blues turned in a small revenue this season, the one membership of the highest 12 in England to take action, with Rayer at all times accepting the truth that the membership’s future well-being comes firstly and that success can’t be purchased on the Blues.
With a good rein saved on budgets, recruiting effectively has been one of many key issues Rayer has needed to get proper. Bedford had been one of many pioneers of the dual-registration system, with Owen Farrell and Dan Cole two notable gamers to have earned their early spurs at Goldington Highway, on mortgage from Saracens and Leicester.
And the membership’s hyperlink with Northampton Saints has proved to be particularly worthwhile within the Rayer years, with back-row enforcer Paul Tupai heralded as his best-ever signing.
Born and raised in Rotorua, Tupai was a Ranfurly Defend winner with the Bay of Plenty underneath Vern Cotter and Joe Schmidt earlier than embarking on a profession abroad at Northampton. After three seasons at Saints, Tupai arrived at Goldington Highway in 2008 as a fresh-faced 32-year-old.
“With out a shadow of a doubt, Paul Tupai,” Rayer mentioned with out hesitation, when requested about his finest piece of recruitment.
“I signed him for a few years, and he lasted for 10 or 11. He was an amazing clubman who wore his coronary heart on his sleeve and led from the entrance.
“He in all probability set the tone and the values for the place we at the moment are. There are nonetheless a few lads who had been round on the again finish of his profession, and it has been simple to hold that ahead into the following period.”
‘Toops’ retired from taking part in in 2018, having featured in over 250 video games for the membership, however his son Connor, a scrum-half, maintained the household hyperlink for just a few extra seasons earlier than heading off to pastures new.
Rayer’s longevity within the job is exceptional in itself, particularly in such a results-driven enterprise, however much more so as a result of he’s by no means had a bodily contract. A handshake between him and the Chairman has at all times been sufficient.
And given what he has achieved, additionally it is stunning that Rayer has by no means been tempted away by a Premiership membership or a Welsh area.
“I’ve had a few conversations through the years, nevertheless it has all been about timing, that’s been true for the entire of my profession actually,” he mentioned.
“If somebody needs to return and discuss to me, it’s due to what I’ve accomplished at Bedford on a day-to-day foundation. That dialog occurred just a few years again, nevertheless it simply wasn’t the suitable time and place for me, and never the suitable match.”
