Bromley’s new signing, Kamil Conteh believes that the club have “foundations” for a strong debut season in League One.
Conteh yesterday (9 July) became Bromley’s first signing of the transfer window from Bristol Rovers and in his first interview on the club’s YouTube channel, he is excited at the foundations for Bromley to have a strong maiden campaign in League One.
“Yeah, it feels good to get everything done. Um just being here, seeing everyone, seeing the boys and the staff, and yeah, I just can’t wait to get started really.”
“Yeah, it’s good. I think from what I’ve seen I’ve been on the outside. There’s a lot of foundations in place from the staff, from the players, you know, to be able to get two promotions in three years, you know, there must be good things going on and it’s something I want to be part of, you know, in League One.”
The 23 year-old midfielder explained that manager, Andy Woodman and conversations with former players persuaded him to make the switch and return to his home city, having been born in Lambeth in December 2002.
“I think when I spoke to the gaffer, what he was telling me about the club, the aims for this season, how he feels to see me in the team, and then also speaking to players who have played here before. Nothing but good things.
But like I said before, like to win two promotions from National League to League Two then being champions last season, you know, there must be foundations in place in terms of on and off the pitch, what’s required as a player, the characters in the building, the group seems such full of good characters and people and I think that can really help playing in the league above cos I think we’ll need everyone in terms of the players, the staff in around the training ground, in the stadium to pull through and yeah, I think it’ll be a good test.”
Conteh previously faced Bromley on four previous occasions which resulted in just one victory which came amidst a controversial finish in a 2-1 FA Cup first-round victory at the CopperJax Stadium last season, whilst the Ravens got revenge with a dramatic 3-2 comeback league win on Boxing Day.
His first two appearances against Bromley came when on loan at Gateshead from Middlesbrough in 2022-23 season, as the Heed held the Ravens to a 1-1 draw in South London just weeks after he made his loan move, before Bromley then won the return fixture 3-0 in the North East in April 2023.
Conteh therefore is aware of how Bromley “… play on you in terms of crosses in the box and set pieces and stuff and it can be quite um challenging to deal with,” as an oppositional player and is relishing the challenge ahead this season now as a player at the club.
“… I think in League One, there’s going to be a lot of teams who will try and, you know, look down at the club and I think it’ll be like us as players to show them what Bromley’s about and give them a challenge and I think from the players that are here and players that the club are looking to bring in, it’ll show in the game.”
Conteh also teased fans that they can expect him to bring hard graft on and off the ball at Bromley this season, with many expecting their immediate objective being to just avoid relegation such is the contrast in financial structure to established third-tier teams and those coming down from the Championship.
“I think I’m good on the ball. I like to put myself about, get around the pitch. link up, play with the players ahead of me, try to win second balls and look after the ball, get to the attackers, and then defensively just do my job and just work hard for the team, no matter what, and just you know, be positive around the group and I think, yeah, that’s how I see myself in the team, yeah.”