Was it possibly the most anti-climatic way to seal promotion? Yes. Will Bromley fans care? Not at all.
Following a goalless draw at home to Cambridge United on Thursday night, the Ravens were forced to rely on Barnet to confirm their promotion on Saturday afternoon.
The Bees knew the assignment, for their own sake as well as they aim for a playoff place, and Barnet boss Dean Brennan had been reminded of just that the day before: “Andy Woodman texted me yesterday. He said, ‘There’s a bottle of champagne waiting for you if you can get a result for us!'”
Away to then fourth-place Notts County, Barnet continued their seven-game unbeaten run as a Kabongo Tshimanga brace, his sixth goal in four games, secured all three points and started the promotion party in South East London.
Music pumping and champagne popping inside Bromley’s very own Broomfields bar, fans, players and coaching staff all gathered to celebrate and fully take in the history that had been created.
So, in only their second season ever as a club in the English Football League, here’s how ‘Little Old Bromley’ reached League One status for the first time in their 134-year history.
Estimated to have League Two’s second-lowest wage budget, Bromley’s recruitment strategy this season has been to target high quality free agents and loans.
Summer incomings included the free arrivals of Northampton Town duo Mitch Pinnock and Will Hondermarck, alongside the out-of-contract Notts County defender Kyle Cameron.
All three have given Bromley great quality and experience, in particularly Mitch Pinnock and his nine assists that has seen him nominated for EFL League Two 2025/26 Player of the Season.
Meanwhile the Ravens’ strong reputation of developing successful, young loanees helped to bring in U20 England international Lakyle Samuel and Tottenham Hotspur U21 winger Damola Ajayi.
Centre backs Zech Medley and Jesse Debrah have successfully, yet temporarily, filled the boots left by Deji Elerewe who joined Lincoln City in the January transfer window.
Without these additions, Bromley wouldn’t have had the complete squad required to fulfill their League One ambition.
The 54-year-old had tasted fourth division promotion as a goalkeeper for Northampton Town and Brentford in 1996/97 and 1998/99 respectively, yet now Woodman has completed the task as a manager.
His direct style of play that excels at out-of-possession solidity and being successful from set-pieces may get criticism, but the unified and determined mentality that Woodman has installed at the club is difficult not to admire.
Since his arrival at the Copperjax Community Stadium in 2021, Woodman has won the FA trophy, gained National League (and now League Two) promotion and got Bromley to their furthest round ever in the FA and Carabao Cups.
He has also broken several records this season alone, including the club’s highest ever points total (84 and counting) and longest ever unbeaten run (21 games).
Deservedly nominated for EFL League Two 2025/26 Manager of the Season, the Ravens manager has again etched his name into even more Bromley history, and his greatest achievement yet is the best reflection of how Andy has transformed this club.
What epitomises Bromley’s underdog success story so well this campaign is how every squad player has played a crucial part: seldom has there been a match where an individual has carried Bromley over the line.
Michael Cheek’s 16 goal campaign has been sublime, albeit strike partner Nicke Kabamba has equally stepped up with his 13 goals cementing his status as a cult hero.
Mitchell Pinnock’s incisive delivery has been consistently met by goal-scoring centre back Omar Sowunmi, as he, Odutayo, Cameron, Medley, Debrah, Ifill and Smith have forged a rock solid defence that has amounted 16 clean sheets – League Two’s joint-second best.
A ‘never say die’ attitude has also been instrumental. Late winners at home to Swindon Town and away against Newport County have proved to be significant in this promotion-winning season.
In particularly, a 98th minute equaliser by 18-year-old academy product George Evans, with his only touch of the game, exemplified this “relentless” attitude that is displayed above Bromley’s home dressing room door.
The certain prospect of Sheffield Wednesday, and potentially Leicester City, coming down to 6100-capacity Copperjax Community Stadium next season is one that Bromley fans will excitedly embrace.
But before that can really sink in, the Ravens travel to Salford City this Thursday and on the final day will collectively celebrate at home to Walsall.
