Bromley ticked all the boxes for me, says new signing Lee Minshull

Saturday 23rd May 2015

BROMLEY midfielder Lee Minshull says the club can enjoy a fairly successful inaugural Vanarama National League campaign next season.


The Ravens celebrated their first title since 1961 when they won the Vanarama Conference South title in April.



DEAL: Lee Minshull (left) says he signed for Bromley immediately after meeting chairman Jerry Dolke and manager Mark Goldberg. Max Porter (right) also signed for the club after the two midfielders were released by League Two side Newport County.
Photo: Bromley FC


Minshull, 29, penned a contract at Hayes Lane on Thursday following his release from League Two side Newport County earlier in the month.

The former Ramsgate midfielder moved to Tonbridge Angels where he scored 17 goals in 40 appearances during season 2009-10, before he was snapped up by then Conference side AFC Wimbledon.

Minshull spent two years in south-west London, before initially moving to the Welsh club on loan in 2012 and made a total number of 133 appearances, scoring 13 goals.

He has won promotion out of non-league football with his two last clubs and is looking forward to playing in Kent again after a successful stay in Wales.

“I spent a long time down there and it’s amazing to think three and a half years of your career passes down there but it was a successful time and one I enjoyed and I look back on fond memories,” said Minshull.

Minshull was released by the Welsh club following his contract expiry and Bromley came knocking.

“Once you know (you’re going to be released), it gives you a chance to see what’s out there and start hoping you’ve got some decisions to make, which I did.

“It’s always tough when you spent that long there and been through a promotion and playing in the Football League, obviously it was a blow.

“But it also gave me a chance to see what was out there and find a good club in Bromley.”

Minshull met with Bromley manager Mark Goldberg and chairman Jerry Dolke and signed for the club alongside ex Newport County team-mate Max Porter, 27.

“I think there was a lot of players out of contract and I did speak to a few people and there was a couple of offers and I decided Bromley was going to be the best one,” admitted Minshull.

“I spoke to the manager and the chairman there straight away and they seemed really keen and I’ve always tried to play for managers that really wanted me and that’s the vibe I got. They’re really positive people.

“After getting promotion there was a real buzz about the place and they’ve got ambition.

“I had a real good feeling for the meeting. I decided pretty much there and then that I wanted to sign.”

When asked what Porter can contribute to the party next season, Minshull, a box-to-box midfielder and top man off the park too, replied: “I’ve played with him for years now, he’s a great player. He’s good on the ball. He’s a real combative midfielder and gets about the park so he’s a great signing for them as well.

“It’s strange how it’s worked out because we’ve been at our last three clubs together.  I’ll definitely enjoy playing with him again.”

Bromley will be dining at non-league football’s top table for the first time in their 123-year history and will be competing with the likes of Tranmere Rovers, who finished at the foot of League Two last season, for the first time.

Minshull said: “Well, you’ve got the club and the players’ that are already there that have worked so hard to get promoted that you have to make sure we stay in that league but I think we’ll be aiming for higher than that.

“For a personal point of view it will just be to have a good season of appearances and put in the performances and repay their faith in me.

“Of course, one of the factors if it was ideal was to come back into the south east. Bromley ticked all the boxes for me.  I’m really looking forward to it and getting going.

“My family – who have moved from Kent to Chelmsford – will be able to get to more games and things like that. 

“I haven’t looked forward to a pre-season for a while.”

Bromley are expected to make a decision whether to revert to full-time status for the first time next week as part-time clubs tend to struggle in the artist formerly known as the Conference.

Minshull said: “I think it’s something they’re looking into. When I signed I knew I was signing for a part-time team but they did say they were thinking about ways they can try to make it more professional to bridge that gap.

“I’m obviously flexible and they just said it’s something they can do and if it’s viable that might be a possibility but it’s a matter of waiting and seeing what they want to try in terms if they can train for an extra day or making that work.

“With the training facilities (3G pitches at the back of the stadium) there I don’t see their being too much of a problem for them.

“There’s some big clubs in that league and you get a good mix of full-time clubs really pushing to push on in that league and clubs that are part-time that have done well to get into that level and stay there.

“It’s a real competitive league. It’s a gruelling league as well but also an enjoyable one.”

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net