Having clinched a maiden promotion into League Two, Bromley face a huge fight to preserve their new EFL status next season.
Andy Woodman’s Ravens scraped past Solihull Moors on penalties after a 2-2 draw in a classic National League Play-Off Final, which meant that they would be playing EFL football for the first time next season as they step up to League Two.
It is therefore little surprise that the promotion will bring fresh challenges for Bromley who are set for a step into the unknown in terms of life as an EFL club, so here is a look at how they can seek to preserve their new EFL status and avoid instant relegation back to the National League.
Maximise Player Recruitment
Although their budget isn’t exactly swashbuckling compared to many EFL teams – or even National League clubs this season, Bromley nevertheless do have a strong financial budget built on sustainability which will allow them to recruit well and add to their current squad.
The sale – and subsequent loan back for rest of season – of Ben Krauhaus to Brentford also shows that they do have promising young players coming through their academy, who could well receive opportunities given that 18 players can make a matchday squad.
Their promotion though does put Bromley in a good position to re-sign Krauhaus on loan if Brentford decide to loan the winger out, given that many of their young players tend to either go into their B-team or head out on loan to EFL clubs to gain experience.
EFL experience though will be important for a League 2 rookie club so maximising their player recruitment this summer will be important, especially in terms of adding experience to compliment players like Grant Smith, Byron Webster and Myles Weston.
Bromley also boast a good blend of experience within the 19-26 and 30+ age ranges which has been key this season, so adding some experienced 27-29 year-olds could be of benefit in terms of peak footballing performance if buy wisely.
Woodman’s Ravens also have an opportunity to take advantage of the EFL loan system and build upon their solid ties with clubs like Arsenal, Millwall and local rivals, Crystal Palace – who have sent players from their Under-23s squad on loan to Bromley in recent seasons.
If Bromley can nail their transfer business next season then they could well stand a strong chance of achieving further success next season.
Adapt Quickly to New Challenge
With the added challenge of having a new grass pitch surface at Hayes Lane due to the EFL’s ban on artificial 3G pitches, Bromley will need to adapt quickly to the rigors of League Two football if they want to stay up.
Although they have faced various former EFL clubs like Hartlepool, Oldham and Rochdale in the National League in recent seasons, Bromley will have to adapt quickly and find their own feet within the league despite there not really being much difference in quality.
Bromley also have the opportunity to chase bigger revenues if can embark on cup runs in EFL Cup plus FA Cup – of which they will for the first time bypass the Qualifying rounds of the latter competition, but survival will be the main aim for the Ravens.
Their home and away form also was broadly similar throughout this season so if they can recruit well and adapt quickly to life in the fourth tier, there is no reason why they can’t do well and avoid an instant relegation back to National League.
One positive omen in Bromley’s favour is that no promoted club this century has gone straight back down to the fifth tier, which will certainly provide extra belief but they must do the job on the pitch results wise once settled into League 2.
Managerial Continuity
With Woodman having never managed at EFL level before, it is easy for armchair footy fans or even the most fickle Bromley supporter to casually suggest in the coming that bringing in a more experienced manager could be an option.
Bromley though are in a special unique position of where both the club and Woodman are entering the unknown together of EFL football, but we can’t forget that the 52 year-old was formerly part of Alan Pardew’s coaching team at clubs like Newcastle and Palace.
Those experiences and his time as Head of Goalkeeping at Arsenal – albeit at Premier League level, however will stand Woodman in good stead for next season as he and many of the players find themselves facing EFL football for the first time.
Continuity will therefore be imperative as seen at clubs like Stockport and Wrexham in recent seasons and given that this Bromley team are hard-grafters, you have to feel that they are equipped to do well if can maIntain continuity but crucially build wisely upon the current groundworks.
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