The Fourth Qualifying Round: A misty-eyed reflection on the magic of the cup.

Once more unto the breach, dear friends

Oct 14, 2022

My first memory of Bromley reaching this round of the FA Cup was back in 1985. Dave Cooke’s team were drawn at home to Maidstone United, who were riding high in the Alliance Premier League (now the National League). Bromley, on the other hand, were playing their football in the Isthmian Premier Division. The crowd was huge for the time, and I’d even convinced several school friends to come to the prestigious cup tie. Sadly, it wasn’t to be. The Stones ran out comfortable 2-0 winners and most of my mates didn’t come back for another Bromley game.

Four years later, in 1989, a struggling Bromley side managed by Dave Swindlehurst reached the fourth qualifying round again by beating Ruislip Manor, Royston, Kingsbury Town, and Hampton to secure a trip to local rivals Welling United. Bromley were bottom of the Isthmian League Premier Division and the Wings were in the Conference. The odds were stacked against us. Amazingly, Bromley took the lead and later equalised to make it 2-2, but Welling ran out 5-2 winners in the end. It was still an awesome day and the fans had a lot of fun!

It would be more than half a decade before we appeared at this stage again, but our game in 1996 proved to be one of the sweetest days as a Bromley fan. Arch-rivals Sutton United came to Hayes Lane and it was a huge occasion. The two teams were stuck in stalemate until, fifteen minutes from time, Keith Sharman pounced on a parried shot from Mark Loveday to put the Ravens 1-0 up. To say the fans behind the goal went mad would be an understatement. Bromley held their nerve. When the final whistle blew, it sparked a full-on pitch invasion as the fans rushed to celebrate with George Wakeling’s team.

In 2005, National League side Aldershot Town provided the opposition at Hayes Lane. Again, it attracted a big crowd. But, with top scorer Nic McDonnell carrying an injury, Wakeling’s side succumbed to a single Tim Sills goal, scored in the first minute of the match. From that point on, the deflated Ravens never really troubled the Shots, who were two divisions above us at the time.

A year later came a day that will go down in Bromley football folklore. In Mark Goldberg’s first season as manager, still playing in the Isthmian Premier Division, we travelled to Grays Athletic of the National League. Their side that day contained players like Michael Kightly and Aaron McClean, who both went on to play in the Football League. But, backed by a large and boisterous travelling support, the Ravens won 2-0 thanks to a first-half double by Lloyd Blackman. It felt like a real giant-killing. Grays certainly didn’t take it lightly. They sacked their manager the next day!

Promotion to the National League South in 2007 meant Bromley entered the FA Cup at the second qualifying round, helping us to make regular appearances in the fourth qualifying round.

We beat Ebbsfleet United at home 3-0 in 2009, Dartford away 2-1 in 2011, Worcester City 1-0 at home in 2012 courtesy of a last-minute Richard Pacquette goal, and Evesham United 2-1 away in 2014. Even though it was a little easier to get there, these were still great days for the club. I have cherished memories of some great celebrations.

Following promotion to the National League in 2015, Bromley now enter the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round and the magic of this day is somewhat diluted. As of this season, we’ve reached the first round proper four years in a row. It’s almost expected by many fans now. The romance of starting a competition in August that eventually finishes in May the following year has gone, but the target of making the second round and actually beating a Football League side is now in our sights.

From Bromley with love

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