Bromley manager, Andy Woodman is “delighted” to achieve promotion and League Two Manager of the Season success.
After defeat at MK Dons and a goalless draw at home to Cambridge United, Bromley’s promotion to League One was confirmed on Saturday (18 April) after Notts County lost 2-1 at home to Barnet.
Speaking after the EFL Awards to Bromley’s YouTube Channel last night (19 April), Woodman spoke of his pride and the irony of promotion being achieved without themselves in action, as he acknowledged the players, staff and fans.
“Well delighted. Obviously, you know, we didn’t get it done on Thursday. We didn’t get it done last Saturday. Ironically comes on a weekend when we’re not playing, but um, delighted, relieved, um and seriously proud. Seriously proud of the team and the staff and everyone’s put so much work in.
“So, you’re really chuffed. Chuffed for the fans, of course.”
Woodman capped a memorable weekend by receiving the League Two Manager of the Season award and proceeded to acknowledge the importance of the fans in his post-ceremony interview.
“I generally believe without them, I don’t get this. Um, without them, I don’t, you know, get the I’ll say the bit of freedom and a little bit of like backing from them, you know, they kind of get me, I think, and I think they get that I have my way of doing things.
“They’ve never really moaned. There’s always one or two comments, but they generally trust what I’m trying to do and why shouldn’t they? And uh and I’m forever grateful for them, you know, the backing they’ve given me in my journey since I’ve been at Bromley.”
The 54-year old boss also paid tribute to his team for their contribution to his success and the award, as he felt that he wouldn’t of won without their graft but humoured that he is glad to be considered a serious football manager.
“Yeah, very proud of that. But I always say it. That with the Manager of the Month and these, you don’t get these on your own, you know, you really don’t. There’s a lot of people that work with me. Uh and in an ideal world, I’d like to give them all one of these because, you know, they’ve put as much effort in as I have.
“Um so, I’m seriously proud. Proud to be recognised, and I’m proud to be taken seriously as a football manager, you know, that’s really important to me. So, um you know, onto the next chapter of Bromley Football Club.”
Woodman though had been busy celebrating with the squad and fans at the club’s Broomfields Bar & Kitchen within the Copperjax Stadium just 24 hours earlier, which he enjoyed and hoped that the players had a great time.
“Oh, it was amazing. Um it was really lovely to see. Um and I’m glad, you know, the players enjoyed themselves. I was a little nervous when I said they were all meeting up cos I’ve seen these days go a little bit flat before, but um hopefully they didn’t, you know, and found it and been brilliant and done us proud.”
Despite missing out on the Player of the Season award to Swindon Town forward – Aaron Drinan, Bromley’s Omar Sowunmi and Mitch Pinnock were named in the League Two Team of the Season, with Woodman proud of both players for how they’ve developed throughout the campaign.
“Amazing. Uh and deservedly so, both you know, Omar’s been brilliant, you know, there’s a few who raised eyebrows when I brought Omar back, never from me. Um and I’m delighted he got his, you know, reward for what’s he done, and now he’s going to be a League One player.
“And Mitch, you know, we brought Mitch in last year. We battled other clubs that tried to sign him, and he’s come here and he’s delivered for us, Mitch. Um so, you know, I’m credit to both those boys. I’m delighted for them.”
Bromley now turn their focus to securing the title which can be achieved on Saturday 25 April, if they win at Salford City two days earlier on 23 April then MK Dons and Cambridge fail to win on the Saturday.
Woodman therefore is keen to see his squad achieve that success to cement their achievement after sitting top of the table since 29 December, following a 3-1 win at Crawley.
“Well, it’s quite an amazing achievement, you know, when you look at the teams that are below us and the size of those clubs. I think we should really look at that and take testament to how well these players have done. And how well the staff have done, you know, I must credit the staff for the work they’ve put in tirelessly to make sure that this team is right along with myself every day.
“So it’s been a real joint effort, but um seriously proud, but we must make sure now that we yeah, we go all the way. Cos you can’t sit on the top of the table from the 1st of Jan and then just fall away at the end just cos you’ve got promoted, you know, and I’m hoping we can do that.”
Woodman proceeded to iterate that the title is just as important as promotion to securing the squad’s place within the club’s history, especially after achieving their promotion into the EFL in 2024 via the National League Play-Offs.
“Well, I think it is important. I you know, Bromley to be champions of League Two. And for these players to be champions. I think it’s so important because you’re going to be on every photograph lifting the trophy. We’ve seen it before. We’ve done it Wembley.
“It’s really important to be part of a legacy in this club’s fabric, and I want to make sure the lads they know how important it is. I just want to make sure that they can try and get it across the line.”
Woodman took charge of Bromley in 2021 and had a seven-year plan agreed with Chairman, Robin Stanton-Gleaves to reach League One, which has now been achieved with two seasons to spare in the club’s 134-year history.
It therefore wasn’t surprising that the club’s journey hasn’t been lost on Woodman who reflected on his ambitions of when he arrived and the past members of the club on and off the pitch whose contributions throughout the club’s existence ultimately helped them to their current success.
“Yeah, I mean, people probably don’t believe me when I said that and when I spoke to the chairman, we said about League One was our ambition. Um, we had a seven-year plan. Look, it’s easy to talk about it.
It’s easy to say what we’re going to do, but you’ve got to do it. And um you know, we’ve done it, and I’m seriously proud of what we’ve done with two years to spare, you could argue.
“But there’s been a lot of people on this journey, and I’ve had a lot of ex players texting me that have all played a part in this journey.
“Um you know, so it’s taken a lot of people to get us where we’ve got to, and we mustn’t forget you know, the managers before me and the coaches before me that put a lot of hours and time tirelessly into this football club over the years.
“Um and here and now, you know, I’m the man in the chair, and we’ve gotten into League One. I’m absolutely super proud.”
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