Our aim is to make Bromley FC a financially sustainable, community-focused football club playing at the highest level possible in the English game, says chairman Jerry Dolke

BROMLEY chairman Jerry Dolke says he is aiming to make the club financially sustainable, community-focused playing at the highest level in the English game by developing home grown talent from their Academy.

The Vanarama National League club is to launch its new Academy for the 2016-17 intake to be located at The Warren in nearby Hayes.

First team players, employees, directors and local councillors spent yesterday afternoon at The Warren, which will provide first class facilities to the club for the next five years.

Bromley have appointed Mark Hammond as the Head of Youth and Academy on a full-time basis.

“Mark’s role, as well as remaining first team coach, will be to enhance and broaden the progress of the Academy from an educational and footballing excellence perspective,” said a club statement on the club’s website www.bromleyfc.tv.

“Mark has been tasked with obtaining Category 4 status for the Academy during the 2016-17 academic year as well as bringing together the 400 plus boys and girls that are currently playing football in some capacity under the Bromley FC banner through the existing Youth, Academy and Junior sections.

“The objective is to provide a clear pathway through the ages from under 7’s all the way to the first team for elite footballers as well as providing a fulfilling and safe environment for non-elite footballers to enjoy the sport.

“Mark is a qualified teacher and will join us in July, leaving his current role as Head of Football at Ravens Wood School.

“We are also pleased to announce that Steve Baker will continue his excellent work in his role as Academy manager and will support Mark in continuing to grow and improve the Academy.”

There will be an increase in the number of students at the Academy from the existing 40 students to 60 in 2016-17 and increasing beyond that to over 100 in three years’ time.

The new Academy will cater for elite football, community footballers (that are looking for a career in football coaching and administration), girl’s Academy and futsal Academy.

The appointment of a director of community affairs who will spearhead the club’s commitment to engage with supporters, local schools, charities, business and the wider community.

“The first team squad were keen to express their interest and support in helping the club with its community engagement and this was greatly appreciated by management.  The appointment will take place during September 2016,” added the statement.

The executive directors, Rob Kay, Jon Plassard and Jerry Dolke also expressed their commitment to investing in the infrastructure of the club over the long term and will be supported by the non executive directors Robin Stanton-Gleaves and David Waller.

Chairman Jerry Dolke said: “Our aim is to make Bromley FC a financially sustainable, community-focused football club playing at the highest level possible in the English game. 

“We will achieve this by developing home grown Academy talent; actively engaging with our members, supporters and wider community; delivering a viable financial performance within an integrated business strategy and investing in our employees, pitches, stadium and educational facilities.

“I am delighted with the agreement reached with The Warren to provide first class Academy facilities.

“The Warren is a fantastic facility that will offer students an environment in which they can thrive and achieve academic and football success.

“This facility will propel our Academy to a level beyond that of clubs of similar status to ours and will compete favourable with the majority of Football League clubs.

“This is a major step in helping us achieve our medium term objectives.

“I look forward to working closely with Jon and Rob in developing our club and I welcome Mark to the club in a full-time capacity.”

Bromley – currently in fourteenth-place in the National League – harbour ambitions to clinch promotion into The Football League within three years.

The Ravens travel to basement side Kidderminster Harriers tomorrow, before welcoming their Kent rivals Welling United to Hayes Lane next Tuesday, 1 March.

Three more wins from their last 14 league games will retain the club’s National League status, their highest level that they have ever played in their 124-year history.

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