Fans from both old and young generations have seen the rise of the club over recent years. Whilst the majority of older fans have experienced highs and lows, many of the younger, more recent Bromley supporters have already experienced two promotions and two Wembley finals since the millennium.
Established in 1892 and situated on the border of South-East London and Kent, the Hayes Lane stadium has seen plenty of action. The club moved to the ground in 1938 following four different moves to various grounds.
The Glory Days
Bromley, known as The Ravens or Lilywhites, enjoyed plenty of success in the early 20th century, with back-to-back Isthmian and Athenian league titles and an FA Amateur cup. This FA Amateur cup win came at Wembley in front of a record crowd for a non-league final, (93,000 fans) beating Romford 1-0.
Bromley fan Ian Micklewright spoke about how his father would tell him stories
about the open top bus parade the following day.
“The whole of Bromley high street was packed to welcome home the players. My dad got up extra early to make sure he witnessed the trophy, as thousands lined the streets.
“The celebrations went long into the night.”
Inconsistency strikes
In the latter stages of the century, particularly in a 20-year period between 1970 and 1990, the club toyed with relegation and promotion, becoming a ‘yo-yo’ team flirting with the Isthmian first and second divisions.
Long standing supporter Roy Oliver has been a Bromley fan since the 1950s and has been a regular down Hayes Lane for 60 years.
“My father took me down in the mid-50s because my nan used to work in the tearoom in the old wooden stand. Sometimes he would take me down at half time because you could get in for free.”
Roy expressed how he feels at home at the club:
“it’s nice to be recognised. Everyone knows me down there, and everyone says hello. I used to watch games with little over 300 supporters in attendance, now there’s almost six times that number at 3pm on a Saturday”.
Moving On Up
The early 2000’s saw the first real push up the divisions, when Peter Adenyi’s spot kick earned the Ravens promotion to the Conference South. Adenyi scored the winning penalty in a shoot-out win over Billericay Town at Hayes Lane in the play-off final.
Mid-table finishes and a few seasons flirting with relegation followed.
Manager at the time Mark Goldberg steered Bromley to the Conference South league title in 2015, after finishing a point ahead of Boreham Wood, earning promotion to the renamed ‘National League’.
From being a fan in the terraces too Head of Community and Stadium Announcer, Matt Hall has seen the two promotions that secured the clubs progression to the next level.
“I was fortunate enough to get to know some club staff in 2012, and gradually became more involved. I went from writing the programme, to stadium announcing and commentary, as well as now leading the community department, it’s been a whirlwind.
“Promotion to the National League was a moment we’ll never forget. So much happened on and off the field that season, but the promotion was a reward for all those who put in so much behind the scenes.”
Improvements On And Off The Field
In 2018 the club reached Wembley for the second time in their history, 69 years on from the success over Romford. However, on this occasion it was heartbreak as a last-minute equaliser cancelled out Omar Bugiel’s opener and sent the game to extra time and penalties. Unfortunately for the Ravens, Brackley Town went on to win the shootout 6-5 and deny Bromley the FA Trophy.
Media manager, Josh Tindall, explains how the facilities have improved since his arrival at the club.
“I’ve seen both the old and the new at Bromley. I first started at Hayes Lane as a Media Assistant, gaining work experience whilst at university in 2019. Back then we had porta cabins for offices, a different set of players, management staff, and a whole different look to how it is now.
“Since returning to the club as full-time staff in 2021, a year prior to finishing my placement, we’ve opened a new outdoor bar, a new bar and kitchen which is open every day, brand-new offices, new changing rooms, a media room, an analyst room, a new gym. The list goes on…”.
Wembley Success
Four years on from heartache in 2018 the Ravens reached Wembley again. On May 22nd, 2022, they played Wrexham and were deemed as underdogs ahead of the final, having been favourites the previous time. A Michael Cheek goal in the 64th minute was enough to beat the Welsh side and lift the FA Trophy for the first time in their history in what will go down as a memorable day for the club.
The club is striving for further success, with the aim of reaching the Football League and continuing its growth as a club, not just the first team, with continued work in the community, and continued development of the ground.
Edited by Gregg Baxter
