Bromley FC hosted their annual Meet The Manager evening for season ticket holders at Hayes Lane on Thursday night. Supporters had the chance to listen to Neil Smith and his coaching team, Alan Dunne and Mark Hammond, view on the upcoming National League season.

 

Smith was quick to say how happy he was with the new additions to the squad and the work the players had put in over the first couple of days of pre-season training.

Goalkeeper Mark Cousins has joined from Barnet, defenders Chris Bush (Ebbsfleet) & Joe Kizzi (Billericay), midfielder Billy Bingham from Gillingham, while he has also signed two experienced and proven strikers in Michael Cheek (Ebbsfleet) and Adrian Clifton (Maidenhead Utd) and two bright young prospect in Korey Henry from Braintree and Reeco Fairchild-Hackett from Charlton.

Captain Jack Holland and midfield starlet Luke Coulson both reiterated how positive the squad was about the new campaign and how well they were already gelling with their new teammates.

Smith said he was aiming to finish in the top ten this season and make progress on last season where he felt Bromley had stood still following a difficult start to the campaign. The long term aim would be to take Bromley into the Football League, but with an initial focus on making sustainable progress on the pitch to match the improvements off it, including the new stand and training facilities. The club has brought in a new physio and nutritionist to help the players fitness and health to give them every advantage possible.

Academy Manager Mark Hammond was also very positive about the set up and pleased to see a number of academy players making their way into the first team squad. There was also good news about the developing Girls Academy and the progress made in their first season, which saw the side reach the Kent Cup Final.

Smith acknowledged how difficult it would be to compete on a level playing field with the bigger budgets some other clubs have, but now that the club was an established National League side with ambition to progress, players were very keen to join The Ravens.

He echoed that playing for the badge on the front of the shirt rather than the name on the back along with hard work, unity and a little more luck with injuries it would be possible for Bromley to make more club history.

On a final note Neil and Jack Holland wished lifelong supporter and Club Shop Manager, Jim Brown well with his recent health problems and hoped to see him back at Hayes Lane soon.

Bromley will begin their pre-season campaign with a friendly against a Fulham FC XI on the 6th July (3pm kick off)