Bedford Town re-sign experienced former EFL player turned non league goal machine

Bedford Town re-sign experienced former EFL player turned non league goal machine Rene Howe in the hope to keep the club up this season.

Howe had originally departed Bedford Town at the end of last season after he helped guide the Eagles to a Southern League title, but was unable to commit to the increased distances involved in step three football.

In a sudden twist however, and after a seven day approach was made by Bedford Town to Ware FC, Howe has decided to return home to help keep Bedford Town in the division.

A new permanent manager is yet to be appointed after the sacking of Gary Setchell, a controversial one, but with Graeme Tomlinson named as interim manager, you can be sure to see plenty of goals in Howe, who got plenty of interest after securing promotion for the club.

✍️ | 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗱𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗧𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗥𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗛𝗼𝘄𝗲@JermaineRene86 is BACK at The Eyrie!

Full story 👇https://t.co/JMSVdzqW0w#COYE // #ReneHoweOohLaaLaa // #HesOneOfOurOwn pic.twitter.com/mY8fv09NXH

— 🦅 Bedford Town Football Club 🦅 (@BedfordTown) December 8, 2022

CLUB STATEMENT:

Bedford Town Football Club is delighted to welcome the signing, the return, of Rene Howe. The 36 year old striker was a massive part in our promotion from step four last season, and re-joins the club for a third spell ready to help fire the Eagles up the Southern League Premier Central table.

Rene started his career with Bedford Town youth, making his first team debut as a 17 year old under Nick Platnauer. The 2005/06 season saw him grow as a player, playing a huge part in the Eagles promotion to Conference South with a playoff victory at Chippenham Town in May 2006.

Howe moved on in the summer of that year to Kettering Town and continued his rise through the levels. Having scored 25 goals in 40 league games for Kettering, he switched to Peterborough United in May 2007. Whilst at Posh, he had loan spells at Rochdale, Morecambe, Lincoln City, Gillingham, Rushden & Diamonds and Bristol Rovers. He left Peterborough permanently in July 2011 when he switched to Torquay United, and he established himself in the side over the next two years. Having made 89 appearances for Torquay, Howe joined Burton Albion in July 2013 but left by mutual consent in January 2014. He subsequently joined Newport County managed by his former Rushden & Diamonds manager Justin Edinburgh.

After stints with Kettering (for a second time), and a short spell with Southern Football League side Hendon in the summer of 2018, Howe moved to fellow Southern League side Kings Langley in August 2018.

Not content with one promotion, Howe returned to the Eyrie in the summer of 2020. He played an extensive, leading role in our Championship winning campaign scoring 33 goals in 48 appearances as the Eagles returned to step three. His goal scoring record speaks for itself, having scored 89 goals in 129 career appearances for the Eagles.

Rene parted company with the club in the summer, moving to Ware FC where he has continued to score goals at step four. Having made an approach to Ware last month, he has now decided to return to his hometown club, hungry to succeed. Rene attracted interest from a number of clubs across step three and step four, and we are thrilled he decided to return to the Eyrie.

Everyone at the club is delighted to see Rene back. We all believe he is the target man the club has been looking for over the last few months. His goals last season, along with the efforts of the other players in the squad, ensured that we achieved our return to step three. The fans are extremely excited to see Rene linking back up with Connor to produce a fierce strike force that will cause problems for club’s across the division.

Speaking to www.bedfordeagles.net, Rene commented on his return stating “I have decided to return to my hometown team, Bedford Town, after a 7 day approach with the main remit to help Bedford stay at step 3. Last season was one of those special seasons, that happens once or twice in a career. Bedford is home. I want to see Bedford Town progress up the league & maintain step 3 status. I will try my best to help them on & off the field where I can. I’m looking forward to coming back and get the ball rolling Saturday!”

Rene has this afternoon completed his transfer from Ware FC. We would like to thank Ware for their co-operation with this. He is available for Saturday’s PitchingIn Southern League Premier Division Central fixture against Stratford Town. Tickets for the match, as always, are available via the Bedford Town Box Office.

This is what fans said as Bedford Town re-sign the experienced former EFL player turned non league goal machine…

@jay_k1000: Great news for the club. But is this real reason @garysetchell and @Dazedey were sacked!! Club put 7 days in the day of sackings. This isn’t an interim management team signing!! Do the investors and owner want more say in team matters and they know setch wouldn’t put up with it!!

@MartinStanden3: Must be getting them miles paid for @JermaineRene86 😉

@paulsalisbury4: Fantastic news ! 🦅🦅

@BenChildsSTWD: Yessssss welcome back bro @JermaineRene86

@glennholdway: Goal King 👑 ⚽️🦅💙

@DanAtkins89: Good to have him back.

@LazellMark: Great news. Just the boost we need. COYE.

@RFC_Eagle: Fantastic news, welcome home RH9. Siuuu 🦅⚽️💙 EFFE

@ggeorgiou10: BIG PLAYER 👍🙏

@Imac65: Fantastic! 🔵⚪️🦅

@Marco65616640: RENE I LOVE YOU