It is a popular misbelief that there is a first time for everything. But there are, undoubtedly, first times for some things. And, come August, that will be the case for Bromley who, after 132 years of under-the-radar existence, can proudly call themselves members of the English Football League.
Some things even happen more than once. Take goalkeeper Grant Smith, for example. Twelve months ago, he was also exiting Step One. Back then it was a case of sliding helplessly down the relegation snake with Yeovil. Now? Smith’s pair of penalty shootout saves – first from Tyrese Shade and then Joss Labadie – gave Bromley a firm foot up the ladder.
All that remained was for the Bromley captain, Byron Webster, to complete a personal triptych. Webster, twice a League One playoff final winner, coolly dispatched his spot-kick. Promotion was sealed.
“In that moment you want the man that is cool as ice – he slotted it away lovely,” said the beaming Bromley manager, Andy Woodman. “Relief is the first word that springs to mind. It’s a massive step. I’m just delighted it went our way.”
For opponents Solihull Moors, it was cruel. They had more than played their role in choreographing a three-part drama worthy of the occasion. First, a sedate opening, a tad cagey, but not unwatchable; next a high-octane, chaotic middle act; then, finally, the tense conclusion.
Bromley twice led, the National League’s record goalscorer Michael Cheek scoring either side of half-time. Solihull twice levelled, via Joe Sbarra and then the captain, Jamey Osborne. Finally, for Woodman et al, came penalty delight.
“It’s relentless to get out of this league,” Woodman said. “Getting this football club [promoted] has become a bit of an obsession, a little bit of an unhealthy one.”
At times, Bromley are not overly pleasing on the pupils. Will Woodman care? Not one jot. It is just over three years since he left the relative cosiness of a senior goalkeeping role at Arsenal for the rollercoaster that is non-league football. In that time, Woodman has refined a precisely distilled blend of pragmatism, an ability to swerve defeat, and short, sharp, blow-your-opponents-apart bursts.
After an unassuming opening, part two commenced slightly ahead of schedule. Just before the break, Alex Whitmore appeared to have a through ball aimed in Cheek’s general direction under control. Then he fell. The referee, James Durkin – son of the former World Cup official, Paul – deemed Cheek’s contact with Whitmore’s foot above board. “It was a foul,” said the Solihull manager, Andy Whing. He then warmly congratulated Bromley.
Woodman, trademark cap plonked on his head, hands deep in pockets, had remained near frozen until Cheek’s first. He has been here before, winning the FA Trophy two years ago. He has also twice experienced post-season heartbreak. But on Cheek’s strike rippling the net, Woodman joined the near 20,000 Ravens dancing delightedly.
Soon after the break, though, the worthiest of scorers levelled. Owing to a heart defect clocked by a routine scan, Sbarra missed six months of training and began his season in December. Half a year on, he found himself at Wembley hurtling joyously toward a small, yet dedicated, pocket of delirious Moors fans.
The glee lasted 10 minutes. Kyle Morrison will not want to rewatch the unpressured back pass he attempted to his goalkeeper Nick Hayes. Undercooked? More like blue. Cheek nipped in, Hayes felled him, and the resulting penalty was a formality.
After Osborne equalised, the game’s flow faded. Twice in extra time, the Bromley substitute Alex Kirk struck the woodwork. Still, after 132 years, another half-hour was a relative flash. “These boys embraced the chance to make history,” Woodman said. “We’re going to enjoy it tonight. We are going to go overboard, and do the things they say not to do.”
And then? For starters, Bromley must rip up their artificial pitch. Work begins this week. And Woodman does not simply want to survive – he is aiming higher. To those that doubted his credentials? Woodman reiterated that he had served a “37-year apprenticeship. Hopefully people will now start taking me seriously as a football manager.”
Finally, to those who sniff at occasions such as these being hosted at this venue, save your sinuses. Full seats? Perhaps not. Full hearts? Most definitely.
