A mixed bag is the best way of describing our Diadora League Premier Division record when it comes to Bromley Football Club. Two wins and two defeats are the numbers to note; our wins both ending 2-1 at their place and both theirs finishing up 1-0 at ours. As coincidences go, that’s gotta be right up there? Since our promotion to the GM Vauxhall Conference at the end of the 1993-4 season, the Reds took their time before doing the same in 2015 as Conference South champions. Would you chance your arm at novibet.co.uk on the Ravens to make the Football League? Not just yet…
So, this is a story that goes back to 1892. In the first few years, Bromley jumped around; a founder member of the Southern, London and Spartan Leagues inside their first 15 years. There was also the double-title-winning, pre-World War One spell in the Isthmian League too, with FA Amateur Cup success on the side. It would be the Athenian League, however, that’d became a more permanent home from 1919. And success came quickly.
In their fourth season, the Ravens were crowned champions. And the FA Amateur Cup was back in their trophy cabinet once more before World War Two. After the War, a league and cup double lit up their 1948-9 campaign. In 1951, however, a third Athenian League title saw them move on. Or back. To the Isthmian League. And they picked up as they left off; not finishing out of the top three in their first five years back (with one title win).
After 1961 and another Isthmian League title, it sort of dried up for Bromley. They drifted towards the bottom of the table and, from the mid-1970s onwards, found themselves in relegation battles. There were times those battles were lost. The ship was somewhat steadied as the 1980s rolled on; doing a few seasons in the Isthmian League Premier Division and then a brief hiatus in Division One.
How to get to Bromley – Travel Information – Distance: 66 miles
By Road
There are two potential options for this trip; one involving the M11 and travelling into the centre of London for the more direct route. But, in the interests of keeping it easier, we’ll go with the M25 option here. Famous last words, eh?
Head around the M25 and over the Dartford Crossing, coming off at Junction 3 for the A20. Take the fifth exit at the roundabout for the London-bound A20 for 4.3 miles. Your next step is to take the A222 exit for Bromley and Sidcup.
Take the first exit for the A222 Perry Street and continue along for a couple of miles. Be sure to stay on the A222 until you have the option of turning left onto the B265 just after you go past Bickley Park cricket ground on your right. Continue on, passing a superstore and crossing the railway.
Turn left onto the A21 and then right shortly after for the B265 once more. The ground is half a mile on the left.
The small car park at the ground costs £2. Otherwise, you’ll have to make do with local street parking where you can find it.
By Rail
Station: BROMLEY SOUTH
Services to: LONDON VICTORIA
Leave the station and go south on the High Street and turn right onto Westmoreland Road (B228). Soon after, turn left onto Hayes Road; continuing down onto Hayes Lane until the ground appears on the left.
