Andy Woodman has called for “a massive celebration” at Bromley’s final home match of the 2025-26 season on 2 May to celebrate promotion.
Bromley secured promotion to League One last Saturday (18 April) after Notts County lost 2-1 at home to Barnet but have seen their League Two title aspirations take a dent, having suffered a 2-0 loss at Salford City last night (23 April) through Jorge Grant’s strike and Ollie Turton’s header in the second half.
Woodman’s Ravens consequently need MK Dons to slip at home to Tranmere Rovers on Saturday 25 April then match or better the Dons’ result on the final day, if they’re to go up to the third-tier as champions.
Woodman though felt that the defeat against Salford wasn’t important as he praised his players for their attitude in his post-match interview on Bromley’s YouTube channel, as he instead called for a massive celebration at their final game of the season at home to Walsall on 2 May at 15:00pm BST.
“It’s irrelevant, I think, to be honest. I don’t want to put any negatives on anything. Um I hate losing. That’s just me. Um and if I was to give my real feelings, it would be wrong.
“I’ve just gone in that dressing room. The lads are all sitting here sombre and that. Come on. We’ve achieved the impossible. Um Bromley Football Club, with two games to spare, promoted. How can I be negative about anything? So all you’re going to get from me is it should be a massive celebration at the last home game. Whatever happens.
“You know I’m not actually not fussed what happens. Um I want us to go out there, enjoy it, and the club to enjoy it. Um because it’s massive. So, this game tonight, I would have loved to have won it, and I’m covering up the disappointment in one breath, but I can’t be get I can’t be disappointed. These boys have given us everything.
“So, um, yeah, it’s uh and then we’ve come up against a team, let’s be honest, that have got so much to play for, you know where we’ve been in that position. So, if you’re 5% off it one end and the other team have 10% on it, you know you’ve got a tough night ahead.”
Woodman though was pleased to see the players share a sombre reaction to their defeat as he admitted that he felt that he couldn’t go into the dressing room and bash them for the performance, which lacked their usual late urgency.
“They do, and I love them for it. And I’ve just gone in there. I’ve been all worked up and going like crackers or have a bit of an negative moment, and I’m probably there’s a bit of of my winner in me that wants to, but not tonight.
“Um, those boys have been brilliant. How can I look at any of them and say you didn’t do this, you didn’t stay with me right there, you missed last no chance. They’ve been brilliant. And I really mean that, and they’ll get no negatives from me.
“Um, I’ve got to just be positive now.”
This season saw Bromley not only achieve promotion to League One for the first time but also set a new club-record points total for a single season, which left Woodman reflective as he highlighted their achievement through youngster, George Evans against Salford’s ex Premier League star – Fabio Borini.
“Amazing. I think we should pinch ourselves. I mean, look, let’s put this in perspective, a little perspective here. We’re bringing on George Evans, with respect. He’s 18 years of age. And they’re bringing on Borini, who’s played in the Premiership, and played, you know, top football. And that’s their sub and our sub’s, George Evans.
“And that’s not a criticism, but that’s just trying to give people the reality of what we’ve achieved here. It’s phenomenal.”
Woodman proceeded to explain that he hasn’t had chance to digest the reality of Bromley’s promotion but revealed that he just wants to celebrate with the team.
“I haven’t had a time for it to sink in for me yet. It’s just been like interview and, you know, radio and this and that and Sky, and it’s been lovely, you know? And then obviously had my son’s stuff going on, which has been lovely. So I’ve not had a moment to even I don’t know I kid you not, I don’t know if I’ve even had a beer.
“Um and I probably won’t have a beer because I’m not a big drinker anyway, but I do want to celebrate with that team because what they’ve done for me and what they’ve done for this football club and what people like you have done, we all deserve to enjoy it. We do.”
With the season finale now within sight and the title being decided on the final day irrespective of if Bromley have it in their own hands or not, Woodman wants to see a packed-out pre-match crowd in Bromley merchandise to celebrate the team.
“I want to see people with scarves, flags, hats and just get there early and just make this team, uh you know, not me, make this team show your appreciation for these boys cos they’ve been phenomenal, and I want everyone to whatever happens on the last one.
“No one ever mention about pause. Not that they do. Just back this team for the last game and just enjoy it because um I’m so proud of them. So proud.”
Woodman also urged the players’ families to be proud of them for what they’ve achieved this season, as he spoke of his desire to see each player extract the maximum from their careers.
“Every one of them is a fantastic human being. And I think that’s more important to me than sometime football results. They’re great people. And um my only disappointment is I want them to achieve the most they possibly can at their careers whether it’s a champion medal, whether it’s finish top, whatever it is.
“I and I’ll always push them for that. But that comes from a place of love for me with them. Um I’ll be forever grateful and forever in their debt for the effort, the work, the commitment, and the results they’ve got for this club, and they should be, their family should be seriously proud of them.”
With a memorable nine-month campaign now near its conclusion, Woodman quipped that he is relieved that the season is now on the final home stretch, but is going to enjoy the final day before worrying about plans for next season.
“Thank God! Thank God! I mean, if I’ve got a quick one for you, let me tell you. It has been a slog. Um but a good slog, and um the big slogs start again now, trying to think about what we do for next year and how we approach that. But no, I’m worried about that in the summer. I’m not worried about that now.”
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