We asked Louis a few questions about Bromley's prospects this season.
HOW DID YOU FEEL THE 14/15 SEASON WENT FOR YOUR TEAM?
It couldn’t have gone any better! Bromley’s first league title for over 50 years, winning the Conference South title with a game to go, means The Ravens will be playing in the top tier of non league football for the first ever time. Notching 100 goals in the process, and despite a late surge from Boreham Wood, Bromley had learned their lesson from the previous year where they led the table for large portions of the season before dropping away into the play-offs, and safely saw themselves over the line.
HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH THE ADDITIONS MADE DURING THE SUMMER BREAK?
The tightknit group that Mark Goldberg has moulded over the last couple of years has largely been kept together, but influential midfielder Danny Waldren was unable to commit to the rigours of playing for a National League side. In his place in the center of the park has come Lee Minshull from Newport County (although judging by pre-season he may be a starter on the bench), as well as Max Porter also from the Welsh side. Both players with experience of playing at this level when winning the Conference title for The Exiles. Alex Wall joins from Luton Town. He scored six goals in eleven when on loan at Dartford a couple of years back. These additions of players who have done it all before at this level could bring some vital know how to a squad which is flying high on confidence after last term and a decent pre-season.
ARE THERE ANY AREAS YOU FEEL STILL NEED STRENGTHENING?
Bromley have a slightly strange policy of only ever having one goalkeeper in the playing squad. Rarely does it cause a problem, but any injury to Alan Julian in between the sticks could be problematic – he was crucial after he joined The Lilywhites in the second half of last season. So perhaps a decent back up goalie could be something that Bromley need to look into.
ARE THERE ANY FIXTURES THAT YOU'RE PARTICULARLY LOOKING FORWARD TO?
The opening day game against Wrexham at Hayes Lane is a massive day for the club. A culmination of all the hard work behind the scenes over the last few years, the chance to take on a former league club who have also played European football in their history, with massive support, on a level playing field will be a special day for all involved. Personally, I will be looking forward to renewing rivalries with Welling United. A Kent Derby, it always brings in big crowds both at the Lane and Park View Road and there have been some great games over the last few years.
WHICH OPPOSITION TEAM DO YOU HAVE HIGH HOPES FOR THIS SEASON?
Eastleigh have done some decent of transfer business in the summer, having lost out in the play-offs last time around. They’ll be hoping to try and build on the momentum gained last season and draw bigger crowds in through the doors of the Silverlake Stadium.
WHICH PLAYERS AMONG YOUR SQUAD SHOULD WE BE LOOKING OUT FOR THIS TERM?
Bradley Goldberg. Don’t let the fact that he’s the manager’s son cloud your judgment – he’s in the squad very much on merit. His return during the second half of last season added a spark and more importantly goals at the business end of the campaign. He notched the vital winner in the top of the table clash against Boreham Wood which helped see Bromley claim the title. He’s been on the books of Charlton and Dagenham, and may feel he has something to prove. He hasn’t looked out of place in pre-season friendlies against Gillingham and even Crystal Palace. At the age of 21, he’s about ready to start his career in earnest at a higher level.
WHERE DO YOU THINK YOU'LL END UP AT THE END OF THE SEASON?
This is a massive dive into the unknown for The Ravens. Their first crack at the National League will be a massive learning curve. I spoke to the manager Mark Godberg for the local paper a couple of weeks ago and he says he’ll be assessing his squad after 10 games. From what I’ve seen in pre-season, the team is still flying following last year. As with any team that has been promoted, the primary aim is survival. I think that we’ll achieve that with relative comfort, and aim for a finish around 12th-15th.
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