Leigh Bedwell

Leigh Andrew Bedwell (born 8 January 1994) is an English professional footballer who played for Swindon Town between 2012 and 2014 as a goalkeeper. After leaving Swindon Town, Bedwell dropped into non-league football with Banbury United and Didcot Town, for whom he signed in June 2015.^[1]

Leigh Bedwell

Personal information
Full name	Leigh Andrew Bedwell
Date of birth	(1994-01-08) 8 January 1994 (age 30)
Place of birth	Wantage, England
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Didcot Town
Youth career
2010–2012	Swindon Town
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2012–2014	Swindon Town	1	(0)
2013	→ Banbury United (loan)	13	(0)
2014	→ Worcester City (loan)	4	(0)
2014–2015	Banbury United	42	(0)
2015–	Didcot Town	250	(?)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:00, 19 June 2015 (UTC)

Career

Bedwell joined Swindon Town as a child, making his way through the youth ranks with the Wiltshire club. Bedwell was given a first team squad number at the age of seventeen – when still a part of the youth set-up – acting as back-up to deputy Phil Smith, when first-choice keeper Mattia Lanzano and third-choice Mark Scott were both injured at the start of the 2011–12 season.^[2] The arrival of Wes Foderingham prevented Bedwell from keeping his place in the starting sixteen but at the end of the season – though Smith, Lanzano and Scott were all released – Bedwell was offered his first professional contract, and he signed a one-year deal.^[3][4]

Ahead of the 2012–13 season, Bedwell was given number 30 shirt.^[5] On 2 September 2012 Bedwell made his first team debut for Swindon in the 4–1 loss at Preston North End. With Swindon losing 2–0 early into the game, Town manager Paolo Di Canio decided to substitute first-choice goalkeeper Wes Foderingham for the rookie Bedwell.^[6] At the end of the 2012–13 season, Bedwell's contract was extended for a further season.^[7]

Bedwell was loaned out to Banbury United in September 2013 to gain first-team experience.^[8] After making thirteen appearances, Bedwell returned on loan. In late April, Bedwell rejoined Worcester City on loan for the second time this season.^[9]

Bedwell was among ten players to be released by Swindon Town on 2 May 2014.^[10]

After his release by Swindon Town, Bedwell rejoined Banbury United on a permanent deal and was an ever-present in the side. However, following Banbury's relegation from the Southern Premier Division in 2015, he joined Southern League Division One South & West side Didcot Town in June 2015.^[11]

Career statistics

As of 10 May 2013^[12]

Club	Season	League		FA Cup		League Cup		FL Trophy		FL Play-Offs		Other		Total
		Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Swindon Town	2011–12	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	2012–13	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
	2013–14	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
	Total	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
Career total		1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0

References

1. "Railwaymen Pick Up Two Puritans". Non-League. 19 June 2015. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
2. "Leigh Bedwell 2011/12". Swindon Town F.C. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
3. . Swindon Town F.C. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013. Retrieved 2 September 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
4. . Swindon Town F.C. 28 July 2012. Archived from the original on 11 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
5. "SWINDON TOWN: Town release squad numbers". Swindon Advertiser. 19 July 2012. Retrieved 11 May 2014.
6. "Report: Preston 4–1 Town". Swindon Town F.C. Retrieved 2 September 2012.
7. . Swindon Town F.C. 17 May 2013. Archived from the original on 8 June 2013. Retrieved 11 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
8. . Banbury United F.C. 6 September 2013. Archived from the original on 11 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
9. . Non League Pitch. 21 March 2014. Archived from the original on 13 April 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
10. . Swindon Town F.C. 3 May 2014. Archived from the original on 4 May 2014. Retrieved 11 May 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
11. Bruce, Matthew (17 June 2015). "Didcot Town snap up Leigh Bedwell and Marvin Martin from rivals Banbury United". Oxford Mail. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
12. Leigh Bedwell at Soccerbase