Bromley Vs MK Dons

Matchday 75 was another ground that required a similar driving distance to our trip to Sutton. The day before the game, I reached out to Bromley FC to see if they could do anything special for our visit. To our surprise, they responded with an incredible offer—a guided tour of their facilities and an invitation for Liam to be one of the flag bearers! What a fantastic gesture.

We set off at 08:15, accompanied by Grandad Steve, who also needed to tick Hayes Lane off his list as part of his journey around the 92. Despite expecting a 3.5 to 4-hour drive, we actually made it to the stadium in just over 3 hours, even with some traffic congestion on the M25 as we passed through London.

Upon arrival, we were greeted by a friendly steward who suggested we park early and take a walk into Bromley to explore. The exterior of the stadium was impressive, especially for a club that had been in the National League last season. However, the car park was less impressive, filled with deep potholes. There was also some confusion about parking time limits, as the car park was managed by Euro Car Parks with a 3-hour maximum stay. After double-checking with the steward, we were reassured that the restriction didn’t apply on matchdays. Fingers crossed we don’t receive a fine!

With plenty of time before kick-off, we indulged in our new pre-match ritual, shared between both Grandad Steve and me, which involves visiting local Wetherspoons. Our first stop was “The Greyhound,” a 28-minute walk from the stadium. We enjoyed a pint of IPA while Liam chose a healthier option—orange juice. The pub itself was lovely, with beautiful décor that added to the experience. After finishing our drinks, we headed to the next Wetherspoons, “The Richmal Crompton,” just a 15-minute walk back towards the ground. This time, we switched it up with Liam opting for a hot chocolate. With time running short, we quickly finished our drinks and made our way back to the stadium, excited for the day ahead.

Locating the club shop was a bit of a challenge, but thankfully a steward pointed us in the right direction. Unfortunately, they had sold out of scarves, meaning our Matchday scarf collection would have to be put on hold for now. I’ve since reached out to Bromley FC to see if they can help us continue our tradition.

After checking in at reception, we were warmly greeted by two staff members who took us on a guided tour of the stadium. While we didn’t get to see the changing rooms (which were located elsewhere), we were shown several impressive areas, including the gym, ice baths, classrooms, and the stat room. The bar area was especially impressive, and the community-driven atmosphere around the club was wonderful to experience. It’s clear that significant investment has gone into Bromley FC, and it really shows. Once the tour was over, we had about an hour to wait until it was time for Liam’s big moment as a flag bearer.

We were seated in the Glyn Beverly Stand, which provided an excellent view of the pitch. To our left was the John Fiorini Stand, and the other two stands were mainly terraced. The stadium had a really nice feel to it, and I was already loving the day. At 14:45, Liam met up with the other flag bearers and was escorted onto the pitch. He was absolutely thrilled to be there, proudly waving his flag as the players made their entrance. It was an unforgettable moment for him.

The match itself was an exciting back-and-forth contest, with both teams putting in a strong effort. Two first-half goals saw the game end in a 1-1 draw, a result that Bromley would likely have been happy with at the start of the day. Although it would’ve been great to see them secure all three points, a draw was a fair reflection of the match.

The journey home took just under 3.5 hours, but it was marred by the sight of a serious car accident involving multiple vehicles. It was a truly shocking scene, and we can only hope that no one was seriously injured.

A massive thank you goes out to everyone at Bromley FC for making our visit to Hayes Lane such a special and memorable experience. We wish the club all the best for the rest of the season!

5 Facts About Bromley FC:

1. Founded in 1892, Bromley FC has a rich history and has experienced various ups and downs in the English football pyramid.
2. Bromley FC plays its home matches at Hayes Lane, which has been the club’s home ground since 1938.
3. The club won the FA Amateur Cup three times, with their most notable victory coming in 1949, when they defeated Romford 1-0 at Wembley Stadium.
4. In recent years, Bromley FC has achieved success in the National League, solidifying their status as a competitive force in non-league football.
5. Bromley FC is known for its community-driven ethos, running various programs to engage the local community, especially through youth development and fan involvement initiatives.