I think it’s very rewarding to give our young players that opportunity to continue developing at our club, says Bromley boss Neil Smith

BROMLEY manager Neil Smith has started to reshape his squad ahead of the club’s third season in the Vanarama National League next season.

The Ravens’ 1-0 home win over fallen giants Torquay United at the weekend has put Smith’s side in 11^th place in the table, 15 points clear of the relegation zone and eight points adrift of the play-offs.

Bromley have collected 44 points from their 30 games and although 50 points was supposed to be the magical safety figure, poor form from the bottom four sides, Maidstone United (29 points from 31 games), Guiseley (28 points from 30 games), North Ferriby United (27 points from 31 games) and York City, who were playing League Two football last season (26 points from 30 games), should be enough to ensure Bromley’s Hayes Lane will be staging National League football for a third season in August.

Bromley have confirmed today that central midfielder Jordan Higgs has agreed a new one-year contract at Hayes Lane.

The Academy scholar spent two seasons playing Ryman League football for Carshalton Athletic from 2013 where he went on to make over 80 appearances and won player-of-the-year twice at Colston Avenue.

Higgs returned to Bromley at the end of the 2015-16 season, before being rewarded with his first professional contract in June 2016.

Higgs told www.bromleyfc.tv: “I’m delighted to sign a new deal.  I’ve been here a long time now and been with Neil a long time coming through the Academy.  I’ve really enjoyed working with him and playing for Bromley.”

Manager Smith also told the club's website: “Jordan has come through the youth set up and then the Academy.  He’s then gone out and played men’s football, he’s been starting this season and played a lot of games now at a very good standard in the National League.

“I think it’s very rewarding to give our young players that opportunity to continue developing at our club and for him to be given another year is fantastic news for myself, the player and the club and shows we are doing things the correct way by trying to produce our own players.”

Bromley have confirmed that target-man Adam Cunnington, 29, has left the club and the former Ebbsfleet United man has signed for big-spending Ryman Premier League club Billericay Town, who play two levels lower than Bromley and joins former Bromley defender Rob Swaine at the Essex club.

Smith added: “Adam has been fantastic for us. I’ll never forget him scoring the goal and celebrating with the bench just after I took the manager’s job.

“Unfortunately, it’s just not happened for him this season. He’s had a couple of injuries and not been at his most potent so we made a joint decision to go our separate ways.

“He’s looking for an extended contract and guaranteed first team football neither of which I could offer him. 

“He’s been a great servant to the club and I’m sure our paths ever cross again he’ll get a warm welcome here.”

Bromley travel to fourth-placed Tranmere Rovers – a side that are five points adrift of leaders Lincoln City – on Saturday.

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.tv