We’re going to be tested against opposition ultimately where we want to be in a few years’ time so let’s see what sort of level we’re at, says Bromley boss Mark Goldberg

BROMLEY boss Mark Goldberg says he wants to be playing Millwall in a Football League encounter in a few years’ time.

The Kent club are riding on a crest of a wave since Goldberg guided his home-town club to their first league title since 1961.

A 3-0 home win over Weston-super-Mare on Saturday, 18 April 2015, clinched the Vanarama Conference South title and the Ravens are dining at the top table of non-league football for the first time in their 123 year history.

Goldberg has decided that training three mornings a week will give his side every chance to compete in the rebranded Vanarama National League this season.

“We’ve settled into the new routine and it’s really almost seamless in the way that everybody has adapted to the new regime,” said Goldberg.

“We feel like we’ve been a full-time squad, it doesn’t seem like it’s our first year together training just during the day. It feels like already we’ve been a full-time professional team for a year or so, so it’s really encouraging.

“But we obviously have to see how an extra day’s training a week hopefully improves our fitness levels and we’ll know more as the pre-season campaign gets underway.”

Goldberg added: “Most clubs in the National League, I would say 70 or 80 per cent of them are full-time.

“If we are going to compete properly and adapt and have the fitness levels that are required to perform at that level (we had to change our training routine.)

“Everyone’s reacted superbly well and we plan by the time the season starts, we’ll be at the same fitness levels as all the sides that are full-time in that league.”

Bromley opened their pre-season campaign with a 4-0 win over Sevenoaks Town at Greatness Park on Saturday.

Goals from Louis Dennis (penalty), Adam Birchall, Bradley Goldberg and Pierre Joseph-Dubois, defeated their Southern Counties East Football League neighbours.

Goldberg said: “Probably a good way to start our campaign. Everybody’s got to know each other more. It would be just about players getting some proper game time.

“Again, it was a test of fitness because those that weren’t playing their 45 minutes at the time – we split it into two 45 minutes and everybody got 45 minutes - and those that weren’t playing were able to do some fitness work during the 45 minutes they weren’t playing, so it’s just a tick in the box in the pre-season schedule.”

The Ravens expect a crowd of at least 3,000 when Millwall boss Neil Harris brings his first team squad to Hayes Lane on Tuesday night.

It will give the Hayes Lane faithful a chance to give their players a hero’s welcome  - but also to look forward to the new season with excitement.

Millwall were relegated from the Championship last season and are kick-off their Sky Bet League One campaign with a trip to Shrewsbury Town on 8 August.

There is now only one division (League Two) separating the two clubs and Goldberg is relishing the test.

“Tomorrow night, we’re going to be tested against opposition ultimately where we want to be in a few years’ time so let’s see what sort of level we’re at and it’s good to be tested against Football League opposition,” said Goldberg.

“Millwall are coming with their first team and it’s the first time Neil Harris is putting his new squad on display to their supporters as well, so it’s a good opportunity for Bromley.

“We appreciate Neil coming with his squad and we hope to give them a decent competitive game, while at the same time realising that it’s not about the result for either team.  It’s really just about what they can learn and what we can learn from our own squads.”

Goldberg, who has former Lions, holding midfielder Ali Fuseini and target man Ben May in his squad, revealed he is looking to add numbers to his squad soon.

He said: “I’m still talking to two players. I’ll probably going to be making two additions to our squad over the course of the next week or so but other than that I’m pleased with the players that have come in.

“We’ve still got a bit of work to do with fitness with some, some more than others. All in all, everybody has fitted in extremely well.”

Bromley kick-off their debut Vanarama National League campaign with a mouth-watering clash against Wrexham at Hayes Lane on Saturday, 8 August.

Goldberg then takes his side to Woking (11 August) and Grimsby Town (15 August), before hosting Braintree Town at Hayes Lane on 18 August.

Bromley travel to relegated Tranmere Rovers on 3 October.

“When the fixtures came out, when we first really realised the enormity of where we are as a club now, to be able to host Wrexham in our first fixture and go to Woking and then Grimsby – and Tranmere within a few weeks – they’re massive fixtures and they’re going to be tough. It’s a very tough arrival in the league.

“We’ve got to be capable of maybe in some respect, whatever lessons we have to learn, maybe we should be hit very early on to make sure we shake ourselves up and adapt at that level.

“Maybe the harder we’re hit, hopefully we’ll learn the biggest lessons and we’ll hopefully get ourselves sorted that within 10 games we’re at least showing that we can compete, which is what it’s all about.”

Turnstiles will open from 6:30pm and tickets will be available at the turnstiles tomorrow night.

Adults: £15
OAPs 65 and over: £10
Armed Forces, NHS and Emergency services: £10
Students (16 years and over): £5
Under 16s: Free (when accompanied by a full paying adult arriving before 7:15pm, otherwise £10)
Premier League and Football League Valid Season Ticket holders: £10

Seating inside the stadium is unreserved and on a first come, first served basis. Seating is free of charge.

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

Bromley  v  Millwall
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 14^th July 2015
Kick Off 7:45pm
at Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF