Fact File
Full Name: Bromley Football Club
Year Formed: 1892
Nickname: The Ravens
Stadium: Hayes Lane
Capacity: 5,150
2021/22 Finish: Tenth in the National League
Review of the 2021/22 season
The first five games provided an indifferent start for Bromley with only two wins coming in that time as they searched for promotion to the EFL. However, an 11-game unbeaten streak between September and November kept them within striking distance of top spot. The Ravens got to the FA Cup first round where they were defeated by League One promotion hopefuls Rotherham United. Andy Woodman’s side continued bob around the play-off places until February where their league form started to fall. A ten-game winless streak all but removed Bromley from the play-off race and they eventually finished in tenth. They weren’t just fighting on the league front though and embarked on an FA Trophy run. Dover Athletic, Aldershot Town, Tonbridge Angels, Solihull Moors and York City were all vanquished as the Lilywhites reached Wembley. A solitary Michael Cheek goal was enough for Bromley to get their hands on the FA Trophy for the first time – beating Wrexham in the process.
Manager – Andy Woodman
Before becoming one of the National League’s best managers, Andy Woodman had a professional football career as a goalkeeper. He won two promotions during his 17-year career – one with Northampton Town and another with Brentford. He also spent time as a goalkeeping coach at Newcastle United and Arsenal. His managerial career started with National League South outfit Whitehawk where he spent just four months after securing safety. Following Neil Smith’s shocking departure from Bromley in March 2021, Woodman bagged his second managerial job. He won the National League Manager of the Month award in May 2021 as the Ravens reached the play-offs. The 2021/22 National League season was topsy-turvy one for the Lilywhites as they finished tenth However, Woodman guided Bromley to FA Trophy success with a 1-0 against Wrexham in the final.
Star Player – Michael Cheek
When you think of some of the most dangerous strikers in the National League, one of the players that is always in that discussion is Michael Cheek. The forward has played in non-league throughout his whole career and has amassed well over 100 goals in almost 300 fifth-tier appearances. Cheek joined Bromley in 2019 from Ebbsfleet United – becoming the focal point of a dangerous Bromley side. The striker started last season with ten goals in the first 11 games and looking on course for the golden boot award. Cheek continued to pop up with goals here and there but struggled for form throughout the second half of the season. The 30-year-old finished the campaign with 23 goals in all competitions as well as scoring the winner in Bromley’s 1-0 FA Trophy final win against Wrexham at Wembley Stadium.
Overall Head-to-head Record
P8 W1 D3 L4
Bromley have always shown why they are one of the toughest teams to face in the National League and Chesterfield have learned that first hand. In the first meeting, goals from George Carline and Manny Oyeleke were cancelled out by a brace by Michael Cheek – which included a stoppage-time equaliser. A scintillating first-half performance put the Ravens on course for a win at Hayes Lane in the revers fixture. Despite a fightback, the Spireites fell to a 4-2 victory.
Played for both – Joe Quigley
Joe Quigley has had stints at both Hayes Lane and presently at the Technique Stadium. The striker built a wealth of experience, especially in the National League before joining Bromley from Maidstone United in 2018. Quigley struggled for game time in London as he played eight times, scoring once. He was sent out on loan to Eastbourne Borough and Havant & Waterlooville before leaving Bromley at the end of the 2018/19 season. The former Republic of Ireland U21 international joined Dagenham & Redbridge and also enjoyed a successful spell at yeovil Town before making the move to Chesterfield in January 2022. Quigley helped the Spireites make the National league play-offs last season and scored the opener in the semi-final against Solihull Moors.
