Bromley’s new loan signing, Zech Medley is targeting a “push for that promotion” following his move from Fleetwood Town.
Medley has joined Andy Woodman’s Ravens as a replacement defender following Deji Elerewe’s transfer to League One’s Lincoln City, and the 25-year-old is already targeting promotion as he spoke to the club’s YouTube channel about his arrival on loan until the end of this season.
“Yeah, I think now it’s about helping the team push and get over the line. You know that’s the main thing. Push for that promotion. Um now, that’s definitely the main target. And me personally, I just trying to stay fit and play as many games as possible and yeah, be an integral part of this team.
He also added that he is excited by the timing of the switch after 18 months at Fleetwood, having joined the Cod Army in July 2024 from Belgium’s Oostende.
“Yeah no it feels feels really good, you know. Um I’m really happy that everything’s happening right now and yeah, I just can’t wait to get going.
“Been up north, been aboard, but now it’s nice to be finally back down south and really close to home, which is a bonus. But yeah, ultimately it’s about doing the work on the pitch and yeah, I can’t wait to get that started as well.”
The move also has reunited Medley with Woodman, who he previously crossed paths with during his time at Arsenal when the latter was goalkeeper coach, and he is excited to be training under him in a first-team environment now.
“Yeah, he was um yeah, with me at Arsenal Under-21s. So um no, it was good to work with Woody You know, he’s great character, you know, someone that’s good to have around in the club. So yeah, bring loads of energy and I’m now really looking forward to working with him under the first team environment.”
During his time at the Gunners, Medley spent the first half of the 2020-21 season on loan at Gillingham, with the Gills coincidentally set to be his debut game for Bromley away at Priestfield Stadium on Saturday 31 January which comes amidst a busy period which he is keen to embrace.
He also scored Fleetwood’s winner in a 2-1 home win over the Gills earlier this season in League Two, so is keen to again find the net but this time for the league leaders in their battle for local pride in their Kent derby.
“Yeah, definitely. Again that’s something that any player will want to thrive off. You know, when there’s a lot of games, that’s what you want to be doing as a footballer playing in those games. And especially now, you know, they’re really important every point that we can get. So yeah, I’m looking forward to it.”
“Yeah, that as well. Yeah, you know, um yeah, hopefully I can mimic what I did earlier on in the season. I nicked a goal against them. Nick the winner. So, yeah, hopefully something like that could happen again.”
Medley has already begun training with his new teammates and is happy with how he has fitted in to the squad already.
“Yeah, good first day. You know, pretty solid. Obviously the boys had the game the other night. Um but yeah, just getting out there with the boys, just getting a feel for it, getting to know them and yeah, now they’ve been very welcoming. So yeah, I just yeah, really really ready to go now.”
“Yeah. No, they’ve been good. Like I said, you know, um yeah, the boys have been great. Obviously the energy has been high and yeah, that’s something that I’ve been looking forward to also and now I’m trying to kick on with the team and keep them pushing and keep the momentum going.”
Medley also teased supporters that they can expect him to make an impact in defence and hopefully cool any panic that surfaces within the team during matches.
“Yeah, so definitely bring some presence, quite big at the back. Um feel very composed on the ball. So so, you know, when things maybe get a bit frantic, I can try and calm it down from the back, but um yeah, left footed as well.
“So bring hopefully some balance as well and um yeah dominant in the air. So that’s as well my main thing and just trying to defend first and get as many clean sheets as I can as possible.”
The defender also adds European experience after he spent three years with Oostende and felt that the experience has benefitted him to earn this move.
“Don’t regret the experience, you know I gained a lot of experience there and now it’s helped me and put me in the position that I’m in now.”
Prior to his spell at Oostende, Medley had spent a loan spell at Kilmarnock in the second half of the 2020-21 season, where he played alongside Nicke Kabamba and Mitch Pinnock who too are now at Bromley, which he said has allowed him to feel more welcome into the Ravens.
“I was in Scotland so I actually played with Mitch and Nicke so as well they’ve helped me just yeah welcome me into the club nicely and um yeah, going out to Belgium was something different definitely.
Medley also noted the growing home attendances and can’t wait to play in front of the fans, although his first home appearance won’t come until Saturday 14 February, which is Bromley’s next home game as they host Notts County.
“Yeah, 100%. I’ve been seeing the attendance has been hitting some records here recently. So, um yeah, looking forward to playing in front of the fans for sure.”
Medley is also following in the footsteps of his older brother, Luke, who played for Bromley in 2012 and he was enthusiastic about his brother’s support.
“Yeah he let me know about that. He had a few appearances. So, yeah he’s been about it in the league and non league. So, yeah, he’s definitely someone that I’ve worked with and know we done little bits yesterday as well together. So he’s always helping me to improve and yeah he can’t wait to come and watch as well.”