Bromley part company with boss Mark Goldberg: The club wouldn't be where it is today without him, says club captain Rob Swaine

BROMLEY have dropped a bombshell this morning after parting company with the club’s most successful manager, Mark Goldberg.

Goldberg guided the Hayes Lane outfit to their first title in 54 years in April by winning the Conference South title and are playing at non-league football’s top table for the first time in their history this season.

The club sit in fourteenth-place in the Vanarama National League table on 38 points and require four more wins from their last 17 league games to retain their current league status.

The Ravens decided to operate on a training in the morning’s regime to be able to cope with life in the National League, but the club’s investors have decided their current position is not good enough.

Chairman Jerry Dolke broke the devastating news in a statement, which was published on the club’s website www.bromleyfc.tv.

He said: “This is not a decision that has been taking lightly.  The club has new investors who have higher expectations than current performances on the pitch are showing.”

Mr Dolke added: “Mark has been the most successful manager in the clubs history and his record speaks for itself.”

Notable achievements include being promoted from the Ryman Premier League as play-off winners after finishing as runners-up and the Hayes Lane faithful celebrated winning the Conference South title in April.

Goldberg also led Bromley to two Kent Senior Cup titles and a London Senior Cup.

During his tenure at Hayes Lane, the Ravens reached the first Round of the FA Cup on five separate occasions and produced a number of players that progressed on to play in the Football League.

A club statement added: “Mark’s involvement and contribution spans almost 30 years. From Bromley reserve team player manager in the late 80’s, to starting the first Bromley FC youth team at Under 9 level taking them all the way through to under 18 level and contributing to the growth of the Bromley FC Junior and Youth section to over 30 teams.”

Goldberg added: “I am disappointed that the board feel a change is required as I believe we are performing to a realistic expectation considering all circumstances my belief and ambition has never wavered, however football is all about opinions and a decision has been made.

“As a patron of Bromley FC I will continue to support the club in every way I can.”

Assistant manager Neil Smith has been appointed interim first team manager and the club’s next game is at home to third-place Grimsby Town next Tuesday.

Mr Dolke added: “We would like to take the opportunity to sincerely thank Mark for his professionalism and exemplary service to the club and we hope to see Mark around the club at games and potentially involved with the board in some capacity in the future.

“We will give Neil all the support we can moving forward. Now is not the time to speculate about a full time appointment.”

Goldberg added: “I am pleased that Neil Smith has the opportunity to take on the role and he has my full support and I thank everyone involved with me during my time at the club for the great team effort that has seen us grow from a Ryman League to a National League club.”

Sources say the new investors want to get into the Football League in three years – but Bromley are 12 points adrift of the play-off places and 10 points clear of the relegation zone at present.

Bromley captain Rob Swaine took to Twitter to pay tribute to Goldberg.

The central defender said: “A sad day.  I personally owe Mark Goldberg so much for what he has done for me.  Making history from day one. Thank you Gaffa. #forevergrateful.

“What he has done for Bromley FC is unbelievable. The club wouldn’t be where it is today without him.

“Today we start a new chapter.”

Meanwhile, the club are currently undergoing ground improvements at Hayes Lane to meet National League ground grading criteria.

A club spokesman said “specific investment from the board” to meet it’s “A Grade” for Hayes Lane by the end of March.

The existing terraces require the installation of new crush barriers in order to meet ‘Green Guide’ standards.

Work has commenced on the ‘dugout’ terrace with the first section of steels being installed, which will then receive a fresh coat of white paint. At the same time, new bright yellow gangways are being marked out on the terracing.

The iconic old white barriers will be removed and the club are offering them to supporters.

Additional turnstiles are being installed at Exit 2 along with an additional toilet block to meet ‘A Grade’ requirements.

The floodlighting at Hayes Lane is also being upgraded to meet the new ‘lux reading’ requirements. An additional lamp will be installed on each of the existing pylons.

Numerous other changes have and will be made behind the scenes with additional press benches being installed and certain extra requirements for changing rooms.

“The club is happy with the progress made and is on target to receive it’s ‘A Grade’ at the end of March,” added the statement.

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.tv/site

Article published: 11:35 – Thursday 4 February 2016
Article updated: 12:20 – Thursday 4 February 2016