Bromley FC memories
The Glades would’ve been quiet today.
Congratulations to Bromley on their promotion to join the 92 football league clubs this afternoon after beating Solihull Moors on penalties.
The Ravens have come a long way in recent years under a progressive ownership that has seen Hayes Lane modernized, although their 3G pitch will need to be pulled up.
Growing up in Catford, I used to go and watch with my mates a fair bit of Bromley in my youth, especially midweek games if the Addicks weren’t playing. It was a laugh and we’d head into the high street for beers afterwards.
Charlton were in the old first division then (Premier League to my younger readers) and Bromley were knocking around the Isthmian League, probably around level 8 or 9.
Now just one level separates us….
Bromley had 16,000 fans at Wembley today and outnumbered their Midlands rivals easily. This season they have often been getting over 3,000 and that will be nearer capacity next season I am sure especially with the likes of AFC Wimbledon and Gillingham on the calendar.
I think both Deji Elerewe and James Vennings are injured, but I hope they thrive in League Two next season. Not too much though, it is becoming a little bit annoying that Leyton Orient, Gillingham and Bromley are now our rivals when it used to be Tottenham and West Ham!
Chicago Addick 
Congratulations to Bromley…I’ve had the pleasure of attending some of their home games this season and it’s a massive achievement.
Hoping that they will push on this season and find success in the league.
I was there yesterday among the 16,000 Bromley fans, it was a fantastic day.
I started watching them in 1962, a year after my first visit to Charlton, and they have been my non-league team ever since.
As I live down on the south coast now in West Sussex, I don’t get to see them that often now but can follow their fortunes via their website, seeing interviews and match highlights etc.
But I had to be there yesterday to witness a historic moment in their history.
it’s nice to see some former Addicks in their ranks too, although only Myles Weston played yesterday.
I hope they can continue to flourish in the EFL.
Massive congratulations to Andy Woodman and his team, plus the owner who has made all this possible.
Huge congratulations to Bromley for finally getting into the Football League. Back in the 70’s and80’s I was working at Borroughs Wellcome Beckenham, and myself and a few other lads would nip over to Hayes Lane on the Saturdays that we were not playing local football ourselves, to watch the games and have a few beers in the (then tiny) bar. When I took up refereeing I officiated several times at Bromley on my way up the leagues. They are one of the teams whose results I always look for at 5pm on a Saturday. Well done to all involved in the promotion.
For a few years in the 1980s CAFC reserves played home matches at Hayes Lane. I particularly remember a game a few days after Milne made his very poor first team debut. He was selected to play in the reserve game and after a few minutes tripped over the ball and was injured. But there was a good side to the game in that I saw Williams for the first time and was very impressed. I told friends that he would be a great acquisition and significantly better than Milne- I was glad to be proved right.
I have watched Bromley a few times in TV games and I fear they will struggle without significant new signings. The artificial pitch must go and that will be an expense.
It would be nice to loan one or two of our promising youngsters to Bromley to both teams benefit.
rierti – on the loan subject. I’d think Bromley would provide a perfect home for some of youngsters. Such as Asiimwe and Ness.
Very generous CA…few too many Palace boys for my liking
That is true Steve. I used to watch Welling a fair bit too. Definitely felt less dirty over there 🤣
16,000? Attendance was over 23,000 and we went round both sides. I reckon minimum of 18,000. Up the Brom! How the fuck can you live in a country without beers, banter and football?
The official number I saw was 16,000 but looked a lot more I agree.
That is a good question, Matt. But airplanes are an incredible thing.
i to used to watch Bromley when Charlton wasn’t playing in midweek mostly I once counted the crowd when a player was getting treatment and that freezing night I counted 97