Congrats to all for a magnificent show on Sunday. Heroes all round but you’re dead right, Machel, we are now in unchartered and very expensive new territory. It cost Sutton £500,000 to replace their pitch when they went up two years ago; it will now cost Bromley at least as much (if not more) and not a lot less than that to import the 5/6 new players we’ll realistically need to avoid suffering the relegation fate Sutton have now suffered. But to heck with that for the moment, it’s just great to bask in the glory of a job marvellously well done and, for once, get an apology from me for doubting that Andy Woodman had done as much as he could at Hayes Lane. With the right support who knows what lies ahead, and I for one will be more than happy to pay whatever increase in the price of my season ticket to see how we fare. Finally, you and I have not always agreed on the good, the bad, and the ugly, old chap, but your views have always been an entertaining and well written read. So I say to you and everyone else at the club - thank you and keep up the good word!
In my 60+ years of football watching,of which Bromley was my first,this was the most intense of all in so many ways.
I was once critical of the manager,not so much recently,he will never need to buy a beer if i’m in the room.
I wonder where we are without Cheek and Webster and their undoubted impact on the youngsters.
When the Captain,a centre half,37 years old steps up to take the pressure penalty with a wry smile and a wink that is worth 60 years of my money.
I am not at all moved by the Solihull fans breaking through the non existent minimum wage security.Well done to them for thinking they can influence the game its not like they missbehaved this was spontaneous and benign,no bottles flares or missiles thrown just lights on their mobiles against a man with bigger balls than the Moons of Jupiter.
Bromley deserved the win,the players,manager,Chairman and long suffering fans.
They deserve all the accolades and now holidays and family time.
League 2. for me holds no great excitement as i’ve been there and most of the games are no more attractive than those we have seen in the NL,off course there are a few that are a level above.
We await the Chairmans/club announcement on ST prices,I expect him to surprise us with a very reasonable offer.
I await the Chairmans next ‘vision’ having delivered what some once thought impossible.
There is always a vision and now a new target,an incentive to achieve and grow the fan base further,lessons to learn from the sad demise of Sutton and the years of effort and £M’s of Vegan pies thrown at FGR.
Where will that new target take us.The days of moaning about being shit are destined for room 101.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man" is an old English proverb that means when a situation demands it, the right person will appear or step forward to deal with it. It suggests that in times of need, the appropriate person will rise to the occasion to address the challenges at hand.
Byron Webster was that man. At 37 after 120+ minutes of high intensity football he had the bottle to win that match. From the moment he put the ball down Solihull’s goal keeper was looking down the barrel of a gun, in that brief moment in time we all witnessed the actions of a true Captain.
Come on Mash 7, really, that moment alone deserves a 10
Yeah I had to be fair to the match - and because we conceded two soft goals I didnt want to give a penalty shoot out bonus but all that said you are correct.
What a brilliant article, glad in particular that you pay tribute to RSG. It's not just his ambition to go up leagues but to make Bromley a community club that impresses me - the facilities for kids and social football, Broomfields, the Women's team, the charity trust, the educational work. Admirable.
Thanks Machel. Has been entertaining all season. Not going to say too much but congratulations to everyone. It is a momentous achievement. Along with Cheek I think Idris was phenomenal and we will find it hard to replace him if he goes. That cheeky smile from Byron and the final penalty kick will be my abiding memories.
Yes yes yes and yes. It’s as if you wrote my thoughts!!!
Robin Stanton-Gleaves is a great Chairman and owner - he was one of the first I wrote to congratulate after my buddy Callum of course and after I stopped ugly crying.
Callum, Michael and Byron are the amazing “Senior” players who deserve their place in history and the EFL
And I found the video of my son playing pool with Grant back in November! So exciting ~ ☮️❤️🙏⚽️
I always expected it, and indeed, I will reveal exclusively to you, Mash, that this very phenomenon (Bromley in EFL) was the subject of a vision I had aged c. 15-16 whilst walking down Hayes Lane. I still maintain the spell was cast on that Tuesday night vs. Eastbourne Boro ('SPARTA BROMLEY!') However, while I remained bullish all season, I find myself distinctly ambivalent now the thing has been achieved.
Five years of consolidation required now, before a renewed push? It will need more brilliance from RSG, et al, to avoid doing a Sutton, but I don't put it past him.
I feel the hand of history on our shoulder... There is a 'time ghost' forming in BR2. Something is stirring awake, something wicked this way comes, and the next few seasons will, I think, prove it.
Not a bad way to end your first season on Substack! Thanks Mash for taking the time to write these excellent articles after each game, it’s been really appreciated. As you rightly say, we’ve been steadily building to this point over the last few years. Now that we’re able to reflect on what a momentous achievement this is, in hindsight there was an sense of inevitability about it, due to the relentless way we’ve gone about our business all season, although I could have done without the penalty shootout!!
There’s something special about this group of players and their never say die attitude, and we’ll be needing plenty of that next season. A lot of that is down to Andy Woodman, who has proven to be a seriously good manager at this level, so it’s vital now that he gets the chairman’s backing over the summer to ensure we’ve got a squad that can compete in league two. Personally I’d settle for 3rd from bottom but I’ve got a feeling both Andy and Robin have more lofty ambitions than that. Can’t wait to see who they look to keep and bring in. I think the nucleus of the side is already in place, we know how adept the manager is in finding loanees who can fit into our style of play, and I’m sure he’ll be looking to bolster the squad with a few permanent deals as well. Mentioning our style of play I wonder if he’ll stick to that or look to adapt that in the higher division. So much to contemplate over the coming weeks but for now I’m happy to just bask in the glory of what is an unbelievable achievement.
Congrats to all for a magnificent show on Sunday. Heroes all round but you’re dead right, Machel, we are now in unchartered and very expensive new territory. It cost Sutton £500,000 to replace their pitch when they went up two years ago; it will now cost Bromley at least as much (if not more) and not a lot less than that to import the 5/6 new players we’ll realistically need to avoid suffering the relegation fate Sutton have now suffered. But to heck with that for the moment, it’s just great to bask in the glory of a job marvellously well done and, for once, get an apology from me for doubting that Andy Woodman had done as much as he could at Hayes Lane. With the right support who knows what lies ahead, and I for one will be more than happy to pay whatever increase in the price of my season ticket to see how we fare. Finally, you and I have not always agreed on the good, the bad, and the ugly, old chap, but your views have always been an entertaining and well written read. So I say to you and everyone else at the club - thank you and keep up the good word!
Let us all bask in this momentous achievement
In my 60+ years of football watching,of which Bromley was my first,this was the most intense of all in so many ways.
I was once critical of the manager,not so much recently,he will never need to buy a beer if i’m in the room.
I wonder where we are without Cheek and Webster and their undoubted impact on the youngsters.
When the Captain,a centre half,37 years old steps up to take the pressure penalty with a wry smile and a wink that is worth 60 years of my money.
I am not at all moved by the Solihull fans breaking through the non existent minimum wage security.Well done to them for thinking they can influence the game its not like they missbehaved this was spontaneous and benign,no bottles flares or missiles thrown just lights on their mobiles against a man with bigger balls than the Moons of Jupiter.
Bromley deserved the win,the players,manager,Chairman and long suffering fans.
They deserve all the accolades and now holidays and family time.
League 2. for me holds no great excitement as i’ve been there and most of the games are no more attractive than those we have seen in the NL,off course there are a few that are a level above.
We await the Chairmans/club announcement on ST prices,I expect him to surprise us with a very reasonable offer.
I await the Chairmans next ‘vision’ having delivered what some once thought impossible.
There is always a vision and now a new target,an incentive to achieve and grow the fan base further,lessons to learn from the sad demise of Sutton and the years of effort and £M’s of Vegan pies thrown at FGR.
Where will that new target take us.The days of moaning about being shit are destined for room 101.
Enjoy the Summer…..
Cometh the hour, cometh the man" is an old English proverb that means when a situation demands it, the right person will appear or step forward to deal with it. It suggests that in times of need, the appropriate person will rise to the occasion to address the challenges at hand.
Byron Webster was that man. At 37 after 120+ minutes of high intensity football he had the bottle to win that match. From the moment he put the ball down Solihull’s goal keeper was looking down the barrel of a gun, in that brief moment in time we all witnessed the actions of a true Captain.
Come on Mash 7, really, that moment alone deserves a 10
Yeah I had to be fair to the match - and because we conceded two soft goals I didnt want to give a penalty shoot out bonus but all that said you are correct.
What a brilliant article, glad in particular that you pay tribute to RSG. It's not just his ambition to go up leagues but to make Bromley a community club that impresses me - the facilities for kids and social football, Broomfields, the Women's team, the charity trust, the educational work. Admirable.
Thanks Machel. Has been entertaining all season. Not going to say too much but congratulations to everyone. It is a momentous achievement. Along with Cheek I think Idris was phenomenal and we will find it hard to replace him if he goes. That cheeky smile from Byron and the final penalty kick will be my abiding memories.
Congratulations all and good luck in the Football League.
What a day!
The first half seemed to flash by in 5 minutes, the second half and extra time seemed to take 4 days!
As for the penalties, I couldn't breath, and when Byron netted the winning one, I cried!
We actually did it. I have to keep checking, but we did!
As I said, what a day!!
Yes yes yes and yes. It’s as if you wrote my thoughts!!!
Robin Stanton-Gleaves is a great Chairman and owner - he was one of the first I wrote to congratulate after my buddy Callum of course and after I stopped ugly crying.
Callum, Michael and Byron are the amazing “Senior” players who deserve their place in history and the EFL
And I found the video of my son playing pool with Grant back in November! So exciting ~ ☮️❤️🙏⚽️
Fan since Wembley1949.
Supporters club youth member 1955-57.
Amazing ..brilliant..fantastic..beetam konjo.
Currently Chairman Secretary and Treasurer of the Addis Ababa branch, Bromley Supporters Club.
I always expected it, and indeed, I will reveal exclusively to you, Mash, that this very phenomenon (Bromley in EFL) was the subject of a vision I had aged c. 15-16 whilst walking down Hayes Lane. I still maintain the spell was cast on that Tuesday night vs. Eastbourne Boro ('SPARTA BROMLEY!') However, while I remained bullish all season, I find myself distinctly ambivalent now the thing has been achieved.
Five years of consolidation required now, before a renewed push? It will need more brilliance from RSG, et al, to avoid doing a Sutton, but I don't put it past him.
I feel the hand of history on our shoulder... There is a 'time ghost' forming in BR2. Something is stirring awake, something wicked this way comes, and the next few seasons will, I think, prove it.
Not a bad way to end your first season on Substack! Thanks Mash for taking the time to write these excellent articles after each game, it’s been really appreciated. As you rightly say, we’ve been steadily building to this point over the last few years. Now that we’re able to reflect on what a momentous achievement this is, in hindsight there was an sense of inevitability about it, due to the relentless way we’ve gone about our business all season, although I could have done without the penalty shootout!!
There’s something special about this group of players and their never say die attitude, and we’ll be needing plenty of that next season. A lot of that is down to Andy Woodman, who has proven to be a seriously good manager at this level, so it’s vital now that he gets the chairman’s backing over the summer to ensure we’ve got a squad that can compete in league two. Personally I’d settle for 3rd from bottom but I’ve got a feeling both Andy and Robin have more lofty ambitions than that. Can’t wait to see who they look to keep and bring in. I think the nucleus of the side is already in place, we know how adept the manager is in finding loanees who can fit into our style of play, and I’m sure he’ll be looking to bolster the squad with a few permanent deals as well. Mentioning our style of play I wonder if he’ll stick to that or look to adapt that in the higher division. So much to contemplate over the coming weeks but for now I’m happy to just bask in the glory of what is an unbelievable achievement.