Bromley boss Neil Smith signs Adam Mekki from Tranmere Rovers

BROMLEY reached new ground today after manager Neil Smith signed a player from League rivals Tranmere Rovers for the first time, with the arrival of winger Adam Mekki.

The 25-year-old spent two seasons at Tranmere Rovers, who have spent the same number of seasons in the Vanarama National League as Bromley.


CHANGING TIMES: Bromley manager Neil Smith has
signed Adam Mekki, who was playing for Tranmere
Rovers for the past couple of seasons.
Photo: Bromley FC

He originally came through the youth ranks at Reading and Aldershot Town, signing a professional contract with Aldershot in the summer 2009.  After leaving Aldershot in 2014, Mekki had spells with Barnet and Dover Athletic.

Bromley finished their debut National League campaign in fourteenth-place and last season Smith secured a top-ten finish on a record 62 points.

Today’s arrival of a player from Prenton Park to Hayes Lane breaks new ground for the Ravens, who are celebrating their 125^th anniversary this season.

Smith told www.bromleyfc.tv: “It’s great for the club to be able to attract a player such as Adam Mekki and to get him on board following a great season with Tranmere Rovers, having been a part of the team that got them to the play-offs.”

Chester born, Mekki added: “I’m absolutely delighted to have signed for Bromley and I’m exciting by this next chapter of my football career and the new challenge facing myself and the club.”

Louis Dennis has signed a new deal to stay at Hayes Lane and Smith revealed that he is keen to turn the winger into a striker after losing Bradley Goldberg and Tobi Sho-Silva.

“I’m really pleased to have signed a new deal with Louis,” said Smith.

“At Gateshead (on the last day of last season) he proved in the second half he could play as another striker (scoring twice) and that is where I’ll be looking to play him this season.

“He’s got a great ability to go left or right and shoot from distance or run at defenders and I’m looking forward to him bringing more of this to his game and to the team this season.

Dennis, whose career at Hayes Lane has been blighted by injury but he can score brilliant goals at crucial times, said: “I’m delighted to have agreed a new deal. I’ve had some of my most memorable and enjoyable moments at this football club and I can’t wait to experience more this season.

“There were a lot of positives to take out of last season. I was unfortunate with my injury at the start but finished strong and it was great to play my part in a top ten finish, which was a fantastic achievement.

“Personally, I just can’t wait to get back out and play, especially on the new pitch, which will be fantastic for playing football on.

“I definitely want to build on what we achieved as a team last season and give the fans’ more great memorable moments.”

Smith has signed former Crystal Palace and Cambridge United goalkeeper David Gregory, 22.

He said: “It’s great to sign David. He’s another local player with great potential and we are hoping he can really kick on this season.  He has a great hunger for the game and training full time with us will be a real bonus for both him and the team.”

Gregory added: “My family and I have always kept an eye on Bromley in recent seasons as we live in Biggin Hill and as soon as I heard of the interest I was extremely keen to get the ball rolling. I’m very happy to have signed and cannot wait to get the new season underway.”

Bromley have confirmed that Goldberg, Connor Dymond (both Welling United), Lee Minshull (Leatherhead), Sho-Silva and Ross Flitney have all left the club.

Full-back Jordan Wynter and winger Ryan Hall have both been invited back for pre-season training and the club have yet provided news on central defender Ben Chorley or last season’s leading goalscorer Blair Turgott.

The club issued a statement over the installation of an artificial pitch at Hayes Lane this summer.

“The installation of a new state-of-the-art 3G stadium pitch at Hayes Lane continues at pace despite the inclement weather.

“The formation level and new drainage system has now been completed and the installation of a type three sub base to the pitch has begun which will sit on top of a geotextile membrane.

“Next up will be the tarmac base and shockpad followed by the new 3G playing surface.”

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.tv