Football Season Guide

Bromley continue to create history and will kick off their first-ever season in the third tier of English football. These are heady times in this part of South East London. Or is it Kent? The Ravens spent 54 years as members of the Isthmian League in 1952 before being promoted to the National League in 2006. The dream of promotion to the Football League would have felt fanciful then, never mind a second successive promotion and League One football. The two men who have made it happen are majority owner and chairman Robin Stanton-Gleaves and manager Andy Woodman. The latter was a lower-league goalkeeper with over 500 appearances but neither could have known the impact they would make on this small club. They were promoted to the EFL in 2024 and following a season of consolidation were promoted as unlikely Champions of League Two, finishing ahead of several big-spending clubs. In truth, there are not many smaller clubs in the EFL, which makes the achievements of the Ravens even more impressive. In addition to Stanton-Gleaves and Woodman, there’s a third person integral to their recent success; striker Michael Cheek. Signed from Ebbsfleet United for a nominal fee in 2019, he has made more than 450 appearances and scored more than 200 goals. He’s played a pivotal role in two promotions and although he’s set to turn 35 shortly after the season starts, he will be the key to any hopes of survival at a higher level. One of Woodman’s key skills is in the transfer market and he has added to the strong spine of the team that lifted the League Two title. Shamal George will provide strong competition to Sam Long for the gloves, whilst the highly-rated Chanse Headman could partner Omar Sowunmi in the centre of defence. In midfield JJ McKiernan will take over from Jude Arthurs, who surprisingly opted for a move to Crawley Town, whilst Ethon Archer will look to realise his potential and provide the supply for Cheek to score the goals.