With several Bromley players out of contract at the conclusion of the current campaign, questions are swirling as to which players should be retained or released ahead of 2026-27 season.
Having secured a historic promotion to League One for next season, Andy Woodman now faces tough decisions this summer as to which players should stay and be part of their first season in the third tier, and which players need to be moved on.
Woodman’s task though is made harder by the fact that several players across his playing squad will be out of contract after 30 June, so here is my take on the fates of each player and their futures at the Copperjax Stadium.
Goalkeepers
With such a stable pair of goalkeepers in Grant Smith and Sam Long both out of contract, Woodman surely have to view renewing their contracts as a priority – especially given Smith’s impressive performances after an early-season wobble amidst solid competition from Long.
Long however has only managed 13 appearances across his latest spell at the Copperjax Stadium so I wouldn’t be surprised if he considers leaving in search of regular first-team football, especially given that he is 23 years-old and capable of regular game time given the glimpses that he has shown for Bromley.
Woodman also could want to sign an experienced League One goalkeeper given that Smith and Long only has one third-tier appearance between them, courtesy of Long’s sole appearance for Lincoln City in 2021-22 season, which could push the youngster down the pecking order.
Either way, I would be confident on Smith signing a new contract as he surely will have no better opportunity to have a proper go at playing in League One than with Bromley, given that he was only limited to cup appearances when in the third tier with Lincoln City in 2019-20 season.
Long’s fate though lies in how his and Woodman’s ambitions and plans for next season align, especially if the latter looks to bring in a more experienced third-tier level goalkeeper to challenge him and Smith.
Youngster, Dillon Addai is also expected to be out of contract but I expect him to sign a new contract given his strong performances on loan at Ramsgate FC, in which he kept eight clean sheets in 21 appearances before he was recalled in mid-April, and go out on loan again.
Defence
Kyle Cameron, Carl Jenkinson, Marcus Ifill, Brooklyn Ilunga, Idris Odutayo, Omar Sowunmi and Byron Webster are the senior defenders out of contract alongside youngsters, Sam German, Freddie Taylor and Josh Tobin.
Cameron and Odutayo though realistically are surely the only definite renewals given their integral part of this season’s success, whilst I can see Webster getting a new deal if he wants to continue playing given that he seems to be enjoying a player-coach style role at the club.
Jenkinson meanwhile has found his game time limited after a serious hip injury in their final pre-season friendly at home to Millwall, so I can see him being released to create room in the budget to bring in fresh quality in that right-back position such is his likely large wage.
Woodman though could hand Taylor a promotion to the senior squad in Jenkinson’s position given his form at Havant & Waterlooville, unless he plans to send the youngster out on another loan to gain further experience at a higher level but I expect Taylor to sign a new contract.
Sowunmi’s fate largely lies in where he sees himself playing next season with reported interest from Scotland’s Aberdeen plus two of Bromley’s opposition next season – Bolton (assuming don’t go up via play-offs) and Oxford United, although he could easily opt to sign a new contract and tackle the third tier with the Ravens.
Ilunga’s future probably lies in whether he wants to stay with the club and fight for regular game time, or depart to give himself a chance at regular action elsewhere after limited minutes this season.
Ifill will likely stay because he has quietly been a huge asset on the right which was seen as a big hole to fill at the start of the season, such was loanee – Danny Imray’s impact last season yet Ifill has stepped up incredibly well and deserves a new contract.
German has quietly impressed in Folkstone Invicta’s Isthmian Premier Division title-winning campaign, so he has probably done enough to earn a new contract albeit with a likely loan at a higher level if he isn’t integrated into the first-team squad for next season.
Tobin meanwhile saw his season cut short by an ankle injury on loan at Yeovil, but given that he is a young talent and featured in the EFL Trophy earlier this season, I wouldn’t be surprised if he is offered a new one-year contract if Woodman views him as a part of his future plans.
In terms of the defensive loan signings, Lakyle Samuel won’t be back given his lack of impact and struggles to settle at the club, but Jesse Debrah and Zech Medley are out of contract at their parent clubs – Port Vale and Fleetwood Town this summer.
Both Debrah and Medley though have added quality and impact in the second half of the season following Deji Elerewe’s departure for Lincoln City in January, and I can see both players being willing to sign a permanent contract once they become free agents if fit in with Woodman’s plans for next season.
Midfield
Jude Arthurs, Ashley Charles, Ben Thompson and Corey Whitely are the midfielders definitely out of contract this summer but given their consistent presence and importance in the team, I really would be surprised if any of the quartet don’t sign new contracts unless attractive offers come from elsewhere.
Whitely is also a versatile player given that he can play on both sides of the pitch and still has plenty to offer Bromley and a chance to challenge himself in League One for the first time, which also applies to Charles and Arthurs whilst Thompson brings experience at that level.
It is unclear if Mitch Pinnock and Will Hondermarck are out of contract this summer but unless any lucrative offers come in for either player, I do expect both players to accept new contracts.
Youngster, Alex Stepien-Iwumene is reportedly out of contract unless a rumoured one-year extension option is activated, so will be interesting to see if Woodman considers the 21-year-old midfielder as a long-term part of his plan by extending his stay for a further season.
Loanee, Ben Krauhaus has already been confirmed as returning to Brentford next season where he will hopefully establish himself as a potential first-team player, having enjoyed a solidly successful campaign with Bromley.
Nevertheless, the midfield section will be an interesting watch across the summer because I would expect Woodman to strengthen the midfield for next season given the step up to League One.
Forwards
Top goalscorers, Michael Cheek and Nicke Kabamba are both set to be out of contract this summer but I can’t see Woodman letting both players go – unless they receive lucrative offers from other clubs which is unlikely given that they’re 34 and 33-year olds respectively.
Cheek and Kabamba also have 29 goals between them this season, making their contract renewals an important priority, although Woodman ideally will need to consider bringing in an experienced League One forward to bolster his forward line.
Marcus Dinanga meanwhile hasn’t set the stage alight when given chances amidst a serious Achilles injury which kept him out for the majority of his first season, and has fallen behind 18-year old George Evans in the pecking order so I genuinely expect him to be released this summer.
Dinanga’s departure would also free up space for Bromley to bring in an experienced third-tier forward who can challenge Cheek and Kabamba, especially if Evans is sent out on loan to gain regular game time depending on Woodman’s plans as I expect the youngster to sign a new contract.
Loanee, Damola Ajayi could in theory return and provide that challenge given his past links to the club and ability to be deployed as a central forward as well as on the right wing, but his fate depends on Tottenham’s plans given that they could be in the Championship next season.
Soul Kader’s future largely hinges on how Woodman views his role within the team moving forward after a difficult period of injuries, but the club does have a record of supporting their young talent when recovering so it’s not totally out of the question that he could get a short-term deal.
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