After much talking and going round in circles there is no definite outcome to the fate of the Supporters Club after tonight’s meeting. There will be another meeting, but the probable outcome is that the SC will go into a frozen state due to lack of committee members and helpers. There will be more supporter representation on Board meetings in the shape on Jon Williams who was invited to attend meetings by Jerry Dolke and Paul Greenwood. Jerry stated he did not make a hostile takeover of the Club Shop or raffles, but offered to lift the burden from Jim Brown who was struggling to keep it going with little help. He had not set up a commercial department as reported by Stephen McCartney on www.kentishfootball.co.uk and was annoyed by this story. This will go ahead and the quality and variety of merchandise in the Club Shop is promised to improve, with the money going straight into BFC.
Jerry Dolke confirmed that Adolph Amoako had signed a two year deal with Bromley after being pursued by Crawley all summer. The permission for the new floodlights has finally been granted at a cost of £47,000 and a meeting will take place next week with the Football Trust to gain a grant for the proposed ground improvements. This will include an extension to the stand, new mini gym, a new five a side pitch and toilet block. Grants cannot be obtained for bars and the bar area will be the last to be changed once the £150,000 cost is raised. Jerry expressed that he wants the club to be open and is happy to talk to any supporters and answers their queries, he also liked the idea of fans forums. Cray will be here this season, but discussion for next season will be held in March and depend on Garry Hillman staying in charge.
The Youth Team will play home game on Sunday mornings and the bar will be open, with the Youth mangers hoping to attract fans to the games. There was talk of possible social membership, but this didn’t really get off the ground.
Macca said the fans had to have inspired ideas for fund raising events and things had got very stale, before going on to address the fans on playing matters.
He said the close season had been a very busy one, there was a lot of money in non-league football and BFC could not match the wages paid by other clubs at this level. Chuck Martini was in Morocco for six weeks and had now returned to the UK, but his wage demands were to high at the moment. Tony Read was close to singing for Bromley from Lewes, he scored 24 goals for The Rooks last season and would provide the necessary strength up front. Macca said he didn’t think Wade Falana fitted in his plans and didn’t complement the team as a whole. He also revealed that Gary Drewett had played through the pain all of last season with an abductor tear, but was close to full fitness now. John Myatt would be out for three months with a cracked shinbone. There is an additional physio working for the club now and he will help the players get back quicker from injuries. Jamie Kyte was a few weeks away from match fitness, but Macca was pleased to have him back at BFC. Joe Vines was probably going to stay but his uncle is Francis Vines at Crawley so there is interest! There was no mention of Wayne Cort.
Macca emphasised the need for teamwork and spirit and is pleased with the attitude of the players. He said he changed his approach after the spell in hospital he had before the Dulwich game. His aim was to stop the poor form against lower placed teams and to grind out more 1-0’s at home. He urged the fans to get behind the side at home and make some noise similar to the away games. He said he was not concerned about friendly results and urged the fans to bear with them as he was working towards the 16th August. The admission will be £7 for the remaining home friendlies, but asked fans not to be put off and be patient during the build up.
Macca said he was open to fans comments and was pleased to talk to them in the bar after games, as long as the were observant and not just negatively critical. He said you couldn’t be too enthusiastic about football and he was always positive.
He said formations will be varied this year as the playing staff were much more adaptable and that he thinks the squad is stronger than last season. There was no need for big changes. He was delighted to have Adolph who has real pro potential and he would use him sparingly rather than burn him out.
Consistency and strength of mind were keys to the promotion position, which Macca was aiming for and he once again asked for the backing of the fans. He hoped to maintain a squad of 22 players and that those not involved in the 17 on a Saturday would play for Beckenham. He didn’t see any point in bringing back the reserve team until we had a strong league to play in and that would have to wait while Cray were tenants. Plans were in the early stages for an academy side that would have students studying at local colleges and training 20 hours per week.
Finally the new kit was unveiled and any Bromley Mackems will be gutted to hear it is black & white stripes, black shorts with white side bands and black socks with 3 white hoops! The white kit from last season will be used in the FA Cup and the red away kit will be used from last season for colour clashes. The new striped kit will have an embroidered badge and will be of good quality material, it will be available to fans in the new club shop.
Positive stuff from the club, confusion from the supporters club!
-- Col