Col’s Golden Glove Awards
Who are the best goalkeepers to don the number one shirt for Bromley FC?
Following my discussion with Machel on a recent episode of The Deep Dive, and subsequent posts on the supporters’ Facebook page, I decided to put together a detailed list of the best Bromley keepers in my time watching the club.
Have I made any glaring omissions in your opinion? Have I included any duds? Set me straight in the comments section.
Malcolm Broadway 1975 - 1982
Malcolm was Bromley’s keeper when I first started going to games in 1977. A superb shot-stopping keeper, he also had the quality and the presence to command his area. A mate of mine still remembers his first game when Broadway saved two penalties against Chatham Town in the FA Cup. Malcolm won the Kent Senior Cup with the Ravens in 1977 and promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division in 1981.
Malcolm Broadway, fifth from the left.
Nicky Sullivan 1985 - 1989
Nicky was the custodian for the 85/86 promotion season and the nearly campaign in 87/88 when Bromley finished runners-up to Yeovil Town in the Isthmian League Premier Division and reached two County Cup semi-finals. Another great shot-stopper, he started out as a youth player with Arsenal and went on to play in the Conference. I think he should’ve played higher.
Nicky Sullivan on the left of the back row.
Curtis Hayes 1987 - 1994
Curtis joined Bromley’s reserve team from Metrogas in 1987 and was understudy to Nicky Sullivan. When Nicky departed in 1989, Curtis rightly made the number one shirt his own. He was part of the 1991 promotion-winning side and also won the Kent Senior Cup in 1992. He was undoubtedly one of the main factors in George Wakeling’s side consolidating their place in the Isthmian League Premier Division.
Dave Wietecha 1994 - 1998
Big Dave came to the club from Millwall following Curtis’s departure and proved to be another great signing from George Wakeling. I think he probably would’ve stayed in the Football League but for the introduction of the back-pass law. Dave won the Kent Senior Cup and London Challenge Cup in his time at Hayes Lane. He also played in the team that reached the FA Cup first round for the first time in nineteen years in 1996. During a period when the football was very direct, Dave’s big presence and aerial ability were an important asset for the Ravens.
Dave Wietecha celebrating the 1997 KSC win with the team.
Danny Harwood 1999 - 2005
‘One Danny Harwood!’ A legend in my book. Danny won the London Senior Cup with Bromley in 2003 and was custodian during one of the club’s toughest periods on and off the pitch. Importantly, he was also part of its revival. Danny was excellent when we avoided relegation from Isthmian League Division One in 2001, especially away at Bognor Regis Town when Bromley secured their safety with a 2-1 win. He recently played for the Hayes Lane Ultras supporters’ team in a charity match at Hayes Lane. In case you were wondering, he’s still got it.
One Danny Harwood!
Andy Walker 2004 - 2009
If you get the chance, watch the highlights of the 2006 Kent Senior Cup final on YouTube. Andy’s triple-save in extra time will tell you all you need to know about him. Not only was Andy an integral part of the 04/05 promotion-winning side, he won the Kent Senior Cup in 2006 and promotion to Conference South in 2007. He commanded his defence and made some incredible match-winning saves. He may be in his 40s now, but Andy was still plying his trade in the Isthmian League South East Division last season with Phoenix Sports. He also played at Wembley in Cray Valley PM’s FA Vase final game in 2019.
Wes Foderingham 2010
Wes had two loan spells at the club, initially from Fulham and then Crystal Palace. In the years that followed, he went on to play for Paolo Di Canio’s Swindon Town, Steven Gerrard’s Rangers, and is now first-choice keeper at Sheffield United in the Premier League. When he turned out for us in the National League South as a youngster, it was immediately clear that he was a superb keeper with bags of potential. It’s great to see him fulfilling it.
Joe Welch 2012 - 2014
Joe came to the club when we were struggling at the foot of the National League South in 2012. He played a vital part in the late run that saw Bromley avoid relegation with a game to spare. His crucial saves in the legendary 2-1 win away at a rain-soaked Truro City can still be found on YouTube. This season, Joe can be found between the sticks at Cambridge City.
Alan Julian 2014 - 2016
Having played well over 200 games in the Football League, the experienced stopper joined the Ravens half-way through the 14/15 promotion season. Not only was he vital in winning the National League South, he helped the club secure its place in the National League the following campaign. A Northern Ireland U21 international, Alan performed at a consistently high level between the sticks. He’s 40 now, but he’s still turning out for Hampton & Richmond Borough.
Ellery Balcombe 2022
The Brentford loanee was only at the club for six months but fought hard to wrestle the number one shirt away from fan-favourite Mark Cousins. His incredible injury-time save against Wrexham in the FA Trophy Final would qualify him for this list alone, but Ellery consistently impressed during his spell at Hayes Lane. It’s no surprise to see him carving out a career at the top level. He’s Brentford’s third-choice keeper in the Premier League this season and saved two penalties in a recent EFL Cup game.
Grant Smith 2023 - ????
The latest in a string of high-quality goalkeepers, Grant joined Bromley from Yeovil this summer and has already impressed with his performances. Match-winning saves aside, his presence and confidence rubs off on the defenders around him and the back line feels more settled as a result.
Grant Smith’s fantastic performances sparked the conversation that led to this article. Are we watching the best goalkeeper we’ve ever seen at the club?
Have your say in the comments section below.
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What a fantastic read Colin, so enjoyable. I always remember Dave Roberts saying to me that Alan Julian was the best keeper he had ever seen at Bromley. A few recently like Ellery Balcome and Grant Smith are up there for me as well.
You didn’t mention David Gregory or Reice Charles Cook, for me both were good keepers, felt sorry for Gregors playing at at a time when our defence was struggling, and it was a shame Reice left, but then we wouldn’t currently have who I think will take over the best keeper mantle from Alan Julian, the Mighty Grant Smith. Best Regards Mark Tregent
Great article, Col. It was a pleasure to edit.
BUT! I have to go into bat for RCC who was reliably excellent last season. And what a redemption story! From a backup keeper with a diminishing reputation one season to an undisputed number one the next.
I was gutted for Reice when he didn't get the big move he was hoping for in the summer. He's a Football League-standard keeper in my book.
Grant Smith has picked up where RCC left off and just seems so 'in the zone' - with a Zen-like calming influence on the defence at times. Long may it continue.