Bromley boss Neil Smith: I’d love to be in the League. I’d love to be saying we’re going for the league title next year so we can get into League Two

BROMLEY manager Neil Smith says the club’s long-term aspirations is to win promotion to the Football League.

The Ravens have struggled during their second season in the top flight of non-league football and go into Saturday’s home game against Boreham Wood sitting in 17^th place in the Vanarama National League table with 21 points from 18 games.

Bromley’s last league game saw them win 2-1 at then bottom-of-the-table side North Ferriby United, a vital result that puts Bromley eight points clear of the relegation zone.

Boreham Wood arrive at Hayes Lane on Saturday in ninth-place in the table on 30 points and they held Sky Bet League Two side Notts County to a 2-2 draw at Meadow Park in The Emirates FA Cup First Round last weekend.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” warned Smith, who was assistant manager when Bromley beat Boreham Wood to the Conference South title in April 2015.

“Notts County found it hard against them and they’re a League Two side, so we know it’s going to be a tough game.

“Boreham Wood are very solid at the back, they’ve not scored many goals up front but they take their chances but I think if we can have a full-strength side, I think we can give anyone a game.”

Bromley should have enough in the tank to secure their National League status at the end of the season.

“I think we’re better than that but obviously the league doesn’t lie,” said Smith.

“I think we should’ve had more points on the board.  I think we’ve gifted teams when we could’ve nicked a draw. We’ve lost when we’ve could’ve drawn and could’ve won but there’s also games where we’ve got results.

“Even the North Ferriby one away, everyone was just expecting you to go there and win it and they’re a tough side.

“It’s a tough league. People have got to remember that and give respect to these teams.  Wrexham then go and play them and it’s a 0-0 draw so I don’t think there’s no easy games.  I think people need to just realise how tough it is, how hard the boys are working and stick with it and we’re going to do our best this year.”

Five of Bromley’s six league wins have come against clubs in the bottom nine and the club need at least 50 points in total to maintain their National League status for a third season, after finishing in fourteenth-place on 60 points from 46 games in their debut campaign.

“We’re going to have to because the teams that are up there your Forest Green’s are spending an absolute fortune. Eastleigh, Lincoln, Barrow, you can go through the list. They’re going to be tough games – and Tranmere Rovers and Wrexham, they are so many of them.

“We know there’s a two-tier league. I think we should be in the top of the second league at this moment in time. 

“We’ve got a fantastic board. It’s our second year in here, we’re not established yet.  If we get the season under way (avoiding relegation then) we can class ourselves as a Conference National side and then go and kick on.

“I think we’re still learning. We’ve made mistakes, we’ve learnt them the hard way but as long as we get stronger and better for it, we’ll be ok.”

Smith has set his sights on staying up this season and challenging for promotion into the Sky Bet League Two during season 2017-18.

He said: “I’d love to be in the League. I’d love to be saying we’re going for the league (title) next year so we can get into League Two but at the same time people have got to realise just how strong this league is.

“It’s a fantastic league to be in. I’d rather be in this than National League South or the Ryman Prem. It’s fantastic but every game is tough. It’s very tough and for us to be in there is fantastic.

“I’d love to grow and get us into the League but at this moment in time my first and foremost thoughts are get through this season and be stronger for next season.

“I understand that Wrexham have been in this league for nine seasons. Forest Green have been in there for 19 seasons. It doesn’t happen overnight, we’d love to say it does. 

“The teams that are coming down (from League Two) are stronger because they get that parachute money, they’re financially secure for that year in that league and that’s why everyone wants to get in that League (Two).

“I think once you’re in that League everyone just wants to stay in it. Everybody wants to get out of this league. Unfortunately as well only two go up.   One goes up and one in the play-offs so it makes it even tougher.”

Meanwhile, two Bromley players, central defender Jack Holland and winger Blair Turgott, have been called up for the England C squad that travels to Tallinn on Sunday to take on Estonia’s under 23s next Tuesday.

Holland scored for the Three Lions’ non-league side in their 4-3 defeat to  Slovakia under 21s in the International Challenge Trophy at Sutton United’s Gander Green Lane back in June and Turgott is Bromley’s leading goalscorer this season with eight goals.

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

Bromley  v  Boreham Wood
Vanarama National League
Saturday 12^th November 2016
Kick Off 3:00pm
at Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF