Changing Times at Hayes Lane

As we come towards the end of August Bromley sit nicely in third place with ten points from five games, playing some good football and finally a couple of the strikers are settling in. Moses Ademola has been outstanding up front and on the wing as have all the midfielders and defence. There is grounds for optimism that we will be challenging at the top again this season with an extra strength in depth in the squad this time.

Away from the playing side it’s a time of change at Hayes Lane. With the new ownership we have seen lots of new initiatives in an attempt to attract more supporters to home games, including Family Fun Days, Pimms Tent, £4.50 Brioche Burgers, cheerleaders, a ‘pumping PA’ and new corporate hospitality marquee. The Garvo Lounge has been replaced by a disco which blasts out power rock pre and post-game, so  loud you can’t even chat to the person next to you, and Cray Wanderers have had their boardroom and club shop bulldozed for the new dining facilities and there are plans for a scoreboard!    

For an old non-league boat like myself a lot of it leaves me cold, a bit confused and slightly worried, but they want to bring in a new cliental to BFC and that is their right to do so as owners. The 150 hardcore who saw the club through the darkest of times will show up no matter what, unless the changes get too outrageous of course, but the new punters will come down expecting success and entertainment which creates it’s own problems if it’s not immediately forthcoming in today’s impatient times.   

We aren’t talking Vincent Tan style madness here like we have seen at Cardiff City, although they have changed the kit to all white, but some things are a little strange for a Bromley fan of 37 years standing. I would like to see Cray treated better, but that’s family thing for me. I will watch with interest what happens from here.                   

Mark Goldberg and Co. have done a solid job so far in building a side that will challenge and entertain, which for me is the most important thing. If Bromley win games the public show up as has been proved in the past, if we don’t they won’t, no matter what else is going on at the ground.    

I really don't want to sound ungrateful the new owners have invested large to try and ensure they take the club to the next level And are also  building brand new training facilities to help this. It's worth remembering a few years ago we were playing in front of just over 100, two leagues below and facing extinction. The club has come a long way and it s quite a lot to take in. 

Great Expectations

The league season finally got under way with a stylish 3-1 win at Havant and was followed up by another great 4-1 win at home to Steve King's well funded Whitehawk. 

After a lengthy seven game pre-season that saw us notch wins away at Dulwich, Whyteleafe and Beckenham, while we entertained league opposition at home losing to Dagenham & Gillingham, drawing with Swindon and Charlton and defeating Palace. All of which were well attended and saw Family Fun days launched for the last two Saturday fixtures.       

We suffered a real blow losing Sam Long for the season with a serious knee injury, but were able to bring back in Ugo Udoji as a more than capable replacement. The new strikers have struggled to find any form as yet, but they have been helped out by the form of goal scoring midfielders Moses Ademola & Pierre Joseph-Dubois, with Moses playing as a striker in recent games. If either Slabber, Scannell, Higgins or Birchall do find their feet we could have a real threat up front. The other new boys have settled in really well Reece Prestedge is a class act in midfield along with Harry Grant a threat on the wing and Seb Brown is starting to look the keeper he once was at AFC Wimbledon.       

It’s still very early days but there is an optimistic buzz around Hayes Lane that we will be up with Ebbsfleet & Sutton pushing for promotion again in April, let’s hope that does prove to be the case.   

We've been treated to some of the best football and goals I have ever seen from a Bromley side in recent times, when you consider where we were only a few years ago it's a remarkable turn around.