Bromleians part ways with Nolan
Bromleians have begun the search for a new manager after parting company with Peter Nolan after one season in charge.
Nolan guided the Bromley-based amateur club to seventh-place in the Kent County League Premier Division table before the campaign was declared null and void and records expunged by The FA.
Speaking to Kentish Football Nolan gave his thoughts;
“Firstly, I would like to thank everyone at Bromleians on what I look at as a successful period”.
“A special thanks goes to Dean Rose, Dylan Villalobos and Kevin Bevis who made up my management team at the club, with Dean and Dylan departing with me today.
“I worked with Dean at Halstead in my first management role and he joined me at the start of this season at Bromleians and I certainly couldn’t have done any of it without him.
“I would also like to place on record my thanks to all players and committee members at the club last season that made the great days we had possible.
“It is with regret that I am having to write this statement as it is certainly not how I envisaged ending my time with Bromleians FC.
“It is very hard to go over last season and the events that unfolded to where we find ourselves today. We had one of the wettest winters in history and throw in the pandemic we now find ourselves in, I think it is fair to say it was a season that hopefully will be an anomaly as we look back in history.
“Nevertheless, despite the decision to void the League, Bromleians finished on 33 points after 18 games which was one point off fourth place with five games in hand, no one knows how those games would have gone but on a points per game basis we were fourth in the division and a division that ended up being so competitive with no easy fixture in the league.
“We had friendlies throughout the season with five Southern Counties East Football League First Division sides and one Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division side, losing one of those six games, so I come away with a real sense of achievement albeit in a short space of time.
“Going into the unknown at the start of pre-season and having the task of putting two squads together is daunting and challenging but looking back I don’t think it could have gone much better.
“The reserves showed huge improvement from previous seasons and had a settled squad and I was able to attract some very talented players from all levels to join me in the first-team set-up.
“Before I go through the reasons I currently find myself without a job, I want to ensure it is known that I think Bromleians as a club has something extremely unique and special that operates with a set of traditional values which is rarely seen in modern-day football.
“As far as the senior set-up at Bromleians is concerned they should and could have a setup that would challenge any club at their level and in my opinion should raise their ceiling to strive to become a competitive Step Six club in the future.
“Unfortunately, this opinion wasn’t shared amongst committee members who didn’t want the on pitch progression at the club to move in the way I did and voiced a new direction for senior football at Bromleians, unfortunately this direction held consequences that now sees me out of football for the time being.
“Throughout my short spell with Bromleians I have learnt a lot and additionally met some fantastic people, people who I hope to stay in contact with for a long time.
“I think loyalty in football is something that is rare and I truly want to thank those who have shown loyalty to me and for those that haven’t, I hope they go on to develop that trait to future colleagues in football.
“If and when a chance presents itself in a new role I will certainly be going in with my eyes fully open and without a doubt, will be looking forward to the challenge.”
Meanwhile, with Bromleians fielding two sides in the Kent County League, the club aim to field a third side in the Southern Amateur League next season.
Chairman Andy Stanford told the club website: “We will have three open-age senior sides next season (plus the Vets).
“The third team will be formed of a group of players who have mostly come through the youth system.
“The Kent County Football League only allow two teams from a single club and as such we have approached the Southern Amateur League who have approved our application “in principle”. It is subject to a clubs vote at the AGM – which should be a formality at their management meeting.
“This is great news as it means a return to the Southern Amateur League after a 17-year absence, assuming we are formally voted in.
“The club has a strong affiliation to the Southern Amateur League having played in this league from 1967 to 2002, fielding seven teams for most of this period.”