Bromley FC: Should they stay or should they go now?

The Full-Backs Edition

Ahead of the Bromley Football Club’s eagerly awaited retained/released list for 24/25, I am releasing a series of articles looking at what may (or perhaps should) happen in each area of the pitch.

In this article, I cover Bromley’s full-backs. Do the Ravens already have League Two quality in their ranks, or are new faces inevitable? 

Read on to find out, and stay tuned for more articles in the days ahead.

The Full-Backs

Josh Passley 

I think there is a chance that Bromley might change their system next season, or at least take a more flexible approach. Defence-minded full-backs may well take precedence over high-flying wing-backs in League Two.

Whichever approach is favoured, it is safe to say that Josh Passley fulfils both criteria. Injury robbed him of the chance to feature in the last four games of 23/24, but that shouldn’t take anything away from his consistency across the season. 

I don’t have access to the numbers, but I would be shocked if Josh wasn’t somewhere near the top in terms of miles covered per game. 

The question Andy and his backroom staff have to ask themselves is whether they feel Josh can make the step up to League Two. Personally, I see nothing to suggest he couldn’t, but it depends what the club’s target is. 

If Bromley intend to do more than just survive next season, then another RWB is a must. Josh will need to be challenged.

Midfielder Jude Arthurs and left-footed wide-man Myles Weston filled in for him when he wasn’t fit last season. That situation was far from ideal.

I’ve heard a few rumours that Josh may not re-sign with Bromley this summer. If that is the case, he will receive several offers worth his while across the National League and NLS.

If I was Andy Woodman, I would offer Josh another year. Otherwise, he’ll face the prospect of having to recruit two right full-backs.

Besart Topalloj

For the best part of the last two seasons, I have been at pains to point out that Besart Topalloj will play League Two football with or without Bromley.

Thankfully, it seems it will be with Bromley.

It is easy to forget that the former Millwall prospect is only 22 years old. Until his sending-off in the final minutes of the home win over FC Halifax Town, he was an ever-present and very consistent cog in Bromley’s wheel. 

During his three-game suspension, Besart lost his place to the impressive Idris Odutayo and was forced to watch the final month and a half of the season from the sidelines. Even so, it would be crackers to let Bes leave the club.

In addition to his defensive strength and his fantastic engine, he has the ability to cause chaos by slaloming deep into the attacking third. There’s more to come from Bes, his upside is still huge.

The problem, if you can call it one, is that we now have two good fullbacks competing for one spot. 

Or am I looking at the situation wrong? Should one of Idris or Ben be ‘converted’ into a ball-playing left-sided centre-back?

Idris Odutayo

As aforementioned, the larger-than-life Idris Odutayo took Besart Topalloj’s spot in early March and never relinquished it. 

Andy Woodman’s consistent mantra is that you earn the right to take the shirt and you earn the right to keep it. Idris did that and then some.

Arguably, he and Besart are similar players. I would perhaps argue that Bes is more naturally suited to making forward runs, while Idris is better defensively, but it’s marginal. Perhaps Bes has slightly more capacity in his engine. Again, marginal.

This is the area of the pitch where I am most intrigued to see what Andy does. Both are young, both want to play, both deserve to play. Can he keep both happy?

This before we even mention…

Myles Weston

The 36-year-old came into the club at the turn of the year and struggled to hold down a regular spot, often playing cameo roles here and there.

We saw glimpses of his well-noted ability to deliver a teasing cross, but with Odutayo and Topalloj dominating the LWB conversation, it became increasingly hard to see how left-footed Weston could break into the side for a sustained run.

His moment finally came in April when injuries forced Andy Woodman’s hand. Weston got a run at right wing-back and paid Andy back in full with a fantastic two-goal cameo in the play-off semi-final.

When presenting the Fans’ Player of the Season award at the club awards evening, I mentioned that it was a squad game this season, with everyone making a meaningful contribution at some point. Myles typifies that statement.

My understanding is he signed an 18-month contract when he arrived in the new year, so he is theoretically under contract for the League Two season.

That doesn’t mean he will definitely stay, but it does raise a few questions. 

Firstly, what is his role next year? Would you have him as a backup wing-back who is good for 60 minutes? Or is he a cameo sub who can wreak havoc in the final 20-25 minutes?

We already have two very good left wing-backs. Do we need three?

I’m not doubting whether Weston can still add something to the squad, especially given his extensive Football League experience, but it all comes down to budget. It may suit Bromley (and potentially Myles) to free up space in the budget with a move away.

So much to consider and ponder. What would you do? Anyone you’d like to see in a Bromley shirt next season?

Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Please note all photographs in this article are by Martin Greig - please follow him on Twitter here

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