It's got to be the highlight of my career, says Bromley fans' favourite Danny Waldren

BROMLEY fans’ favourite Danny Waldren says winning the Vanarama Conference South title is the highlight of his career.

The Ravens sealed their first title since 1961 after Mark Goldberg’s side beat Weston-super-Mare 3-0 in front of 2,938 fans at Hayes Lane.

Reece Prestedge gave Bromley the lead after 28 minutes before Moses Ademola curled a cross into the far corner just nine minutes later.

And there was a party spirit when Jamie Slabber scored the third in the 59^th minute to settle any nerves.

It turned out to be Bromley’s Greatest Ever Day and the club can now look forward to playing the likes of Gateshead, Wrexham and Torquay United in the top flight of non-league football next season.

Waldren, 26, is the club’s longest serving player, having made his 188^th appearance today.

He said: “Unbelievable after the years’ that I’ve been here. The first couple of seasons I was here we was struggling and we worked very hard and we’ve been up and down but it’s completely out of this world!

“I’d like to thank everyone, including the gaffer for that, having such a massive belief in believing that we could actually do it and this year we’ve proved that we can.”

Waldren is loved by the Hayes Lane faithful for his committed performances for the club.

“It’s got to be up there as the best,” said the versatile player, who hails from Bermondsey.

“This is the highest level that I’ve played at compared to obviously being at pro clubs when you’re younger and things like that. It’s the highest level that I’ve played at and I’ve won this league so it’s got to be the highlight of my career.”

To win the league title in style with a 3-0 win will live in the memory of those loyal fans who were supporting the club when it was struggling in Ryman League Division One in 2002.

Bromley used to fail on the big stage but beating then leaders Boreham Wood 2-1 thanks to Bradley Goldberg’s 81^st minute winner on 4 April in front of 2,035 fans, proved that the club deserve their place among the elite.

Bromley have lost seven games at their iconic 76-year-old Hayes Lane stadium this season, but have lost only once on the road in the league.

“It was always tense. It was always nervous playing at home and you know what our home record is like this year, it’s not been impressive,” admitted Waldren.

“There was a massive crowd here today and to put three past Weston, who are a good team, a very good team, you can’t take them lightly. To put three past them to win it and win it on home soil for the fans, who have been patient for us this year, is amazing.

It’s Bromley’s first league title since 1961 and when skipper Rob Swaine - and Waldren - lifted the trophy it was the best feeling ever.

Waldren said: “Obviously being here like a veteran, I feel like right now, but speaking to Rob earlier in the day, he said to me if we did do it he’d be happy to lift the trophy with me and that’s brilliant! That touched me to be honest. The amount of time that I’ve been here and in front of the fans, it was lovely to lift that trophy with Rob.”



CHAMPIONS: Danny Waldren and Rob Swaine lift up the Vanarama Conference South winners trophy.
Photo: Matt Hall

Waldren admitted: “It’s been too long, it’s too long!

“With the quality of the players that we’ve got, there was no doubt in my mind that it was going to happen, whether this year or next year or the year after.

“The gaffer’s worked his absolute socks off to get what we’ve got in that dressing room at the moment and we have got what we’ve got and we’ve proved to be brilliant this year.”

The possibility of playing Tranmere Rovers (currently at the bottom of League Two with two games to go) in the Vanarama National League as it will be called next season, seemed to be a distant dream when Bromley were struggling in the Ryman League Division One not so long ago.

The Ravens have taken eight years’ to get out of Conference South and Waldren is relishing the chance to play at Non-League’s top table.

But he warned: “I know straight away it’s going to be tough, there’s no doubt about that.

“This year we lost at home to Dartford in The FA Cup and we played Torquay (in The FA Trophy) and we got spanked 4-0.

“I know it’s going to be tough and I’m sure the gaffer knows it’s going to be tough.”

Bromley travel to Gosport Borough for their final game of the season next Saturday.

Gosport Borough are in sixth-place and cannot grab a play-off place and Bromley will take huge numbers to cheer on their heroes without needing to know other club’s results.

Waldren said: “We need to be professional. We want to finish the league with the most points as you can and that’s what we’re aiming to do so we’re not just going there to just roll over.

“Whether there’s nothing at stake it doesn’t matter. We’ll be professional and do what we have to do.”

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net