Billy Smith: A tribute to a true football man

The day after Bromley achieved promotion to the Football League for the first time in their history, news broke that former manager Billy Smith had passed away. It feels right that From Bromley with Love should pay tribute to a popular football man and cult figure at Hayes Lane.

The significance of Billy's part in Bromley’s upturn in fortunes cannot be overstated. Frankly, they might not be where they are today without his input.

Saturday 7th May 2005 was a sliding doors moment for Billy Smith and Bromley Football Club. That was the day of the 04/05 Isthmian League Division One South play-off final.

Isthmian Division One South represented Bromley’s lowest ebb. The club had even flirted with relegation to the Kent League in the seasons leading up to this one. But now, after an amazing finish to the 04/05 season, they stood on the precipice of clawing their way back into the Isthmian League Premier Division.

A management team of George Wakeling, Frank Coles, and Billy Smith had been the driving force behind Bromley’s resurrection, and even though Billy was one-third of a trio, players who were in the team at the time will tell you what an important role he played. 

People forget that Billy also came in for a short spell as caretaker manager in 1999 and turned things around then also. He had already agreed to join Crawley Town at the time, but he had a few weeks to spare so he came to help out at Hayes Lane 

The newly-relegated Ravens were rock bottom of Division One, and a double relegation to the Kent League was looming. Previous manager Dave Edwards had departed after an FA Cup exit at the hands of Bognor Regis and the mood in BR2 was decidedly blue.

Billy Smith changed everything. During his short time in charge, he won every league game that came his way and put Bromley on the path to survival. 

There was something really special about his first game away at Bedford Town. Bromley won 2-1 that day and played with a style and belief that had been missing for so long. When Billy handed the team over to Frank Coles a few weeks later, they were a completely different proposition. The squad had also gained a talented footballer in Curtis Johnson.

Fast-forward to December 2004 and Billy was returning to rescue the Ravens once again. The club were mired in fifteenth at the time, and relegation to the Kent League was not out of the question.

Previous manager Stuart McIntyre had failed to get a tune from the solid squad he had assembled, so Billy joined forces with legendary manager George Wakeling and coach Frank Coles to help this talented but unconfident bunch achieve their potential. 

A change of shape, along with the introduction of three former players in midfielder Danny Carroll and veteran strikers Mark Tompkins and Wade Falana, gave Bromley the firepower they needed to reverse the slump.

In the wake of the new management team's arrival, the Ravens launched an incredible run of results that saw them rocket from fifteenth to the verge of the play-offs. Against all odds, Bromley sealed their place in the postseason with a 1-0 win at Banstead Athletic in their final league game of the 04/05 season.

A semi-final penalty shoot-out win over Met Police set up a momentous final at Horsham’s Queen Street ground. And so we reach the sliding doors moment.

In front of over 1100 fans, the management trio of George Wakeling, Frank Coles, and Billy Smith inspired a dramatic 3-1 win over Horsham, with goals from Wade Falana, Allan McLeod, and Colin Luckett. The players, and the 200 travelling Ravens fans, partied long into the night.

After six years in the Isthmian Division One South, the lowest league in the club’s history, Bromley were back in the Isthmian Premier Division. This week, of all weeks, it feels like the club hasn’t looked back since.

The following season, Billy and George consolidated Bromley’s place in the Isthmian League Premier Division. They also reached the fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup and won the Kent Senior Cup with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Gravesend & Northfleet. 

They made some impressive signings during their time at the club, too. 

Talented centre-back Joe Vines returned to Bromley to partner wily Mark Willy in defence. Striker Nic McDonnell arrived and started bagging the goals that would make him a club legend. And a young Sam Wood arrived from Hayes Lane tenants Cray Wanderers; a move that acted as a launchpad for his eventual rise to the Football League.

In March of 2006, Billy and the management team were told that they would be replaced by Mark Goldberg in the summer, but their commitment to the cause never faltered. Bromley’s last-gasp Kent Cup win was a perfect parting gift to the fans. 

The management team would soon be found in the dugout of Tooting & Mitcham United, and as football fate often has it, despite being in different divisions, Bromley and Tooting met three times the following season. 

Billy and George's team, containing several former Bromley players, came out on top every time, knocking Bromley out of the FA Trophy in a replay at Hayes Lane and then lifting the London Senior Cup at Imperial Fields following a 4-2 victory. 

Ravens fans who knew their stuff took the medicine and gave Billy and George their dues at the trophy presentation, staying to applaud them as they lifted the silverware.

Billy and George guided Tooting & Mitcham to promotion the following season, beating Cray Wanderers in the play-off final. Their success came as no surprise to Bromley fans.

Before moving into coaching, Billy Smith had been a well-respected player for various South London non-league clubs, including Cray Wanderers. When his playing days ended, he managed many clubs with distinction, including Carshalton, Dulwich Hamlet and Corinthian Casuals. 

He was responsible for bringing the talents of Andy Gray, Ian Wright, and Mikel Antonio into the professional game from non-league football, and his positive contribution to the game deserves to be recognised and remembered.

Billy Smith was a regular and welcome face at grounds in the South East and beyond. He never stopped looking out for the next unpolished gem to bring through the ranks, and he never stopped learning and developing his craft. 

If you want an idea of the man himself, just speak to any of his former players and listen to the glowing terms in which they refer to him.

Rest in peace, Billy. And thank you.

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