The only word to describe my reaction to Andy Woodman’s sacking as Bromley FC manager on Thursday morning was shock, closely followed by bemusement and then downright anger.
Having joined Bromley in March 2021 and taken The Ravens into the National League play offs that season, he then continued to make steady progress across the five-and-a-half-year tenure as first team manager. 2022 saw Bromley win the FA Trophy Final at Wembley Stadium, beating Wrexham 1-0, then a year later it was a play-off semi-final defeat away at Chesterfield.
Before finally winning promotion via the play-offs in 2024 with a penalty shootout victory over Solihull Moors at Wembley. A year of consolidation in League Two followed and also a FA Cup Third round tie at Newcastle Utd, before last season saw Bromley win League Two and gain promotion to League One.
All of that that you would think would buy him time for the team and club to find its feet in the third tier of English football this campaign, but incredibly after only ten games he has been relieved of his duties with The Ravens second from bottom in the table.
Former club captain and Bromley folk hero Byron Webster has taken temporary charge of the team pending a new managerial appointment.
There is plenty of speculation about the influence of new investors into the club and their role in the decision, but for now the club have not officially acknowledged their identity or involvement.
Looking at this season alone, Andy has had terrible luck with injuries to his squad, losing influential midfielder Ashley Charles for the whole season, as well as long term layoffs for keepers Grant Smith & Shamal George, plus defenders Chase Headman and Deon Woodman.
Left backs Richard Taylor and Jacob Mendy have both struggled to stay fit for any length of time, all of which have added to the problems of a manager trying to compete in a new league with the smallest budget, playing ex-Premier League clubs every other week.
For now, Bromley go into Saturday’s game at home to Peterborough Utd looking to pick up some vital points and edge out of the bottom four.
As fans we can only thank Andy for his phenomenal contribution to Bromley FC’s recent rise and wish him all the best and wonder what the future holds at Hayes Lane.