It's fantastic to be on the same pitch as Chelsea, says Bromley assistant Murray Jones

BROMLEY assistant manager Murray Jones says his players will be tested to the limit when they play their final two pre-season games against two professional London clubs, writes Stephen McCartney.


The Lillywhites came away from Ryman League Division One South side Whyteleafe with a 3-0 victory yesterday, courtesy of a Gareth Williams opener and a brace from new signing, Hakeem Araba, 21.

Bromley welcome their Npower Championship neighbours Crystal Palace to Hayes Lane on Tuesday night and host Premier League Chelsea on Saturday.

Jones is relishing the visit from the Eagles, where Bromley manager Mark Goldberg used to be chairman.

“A former club of myself and a former club of Mark and we’ve got a great relationship with (Crystal Palace manager) Dougie Freedman and the club,” said Jones.

“They’re our local neighbours, it’s always a good game for us.  Hopefully Dougie will bring a strongish squad.”

Jones wants his players’ to step up their preparations, ahead of their Blue Square Bet South opener away to Hampton & Richmond Borough on 13 August.

He said: “Including yesterday, we’ve got three games in six days, which we think is good for the players to have a run of games now.

“We can have a serious look at the squad and really plan for our first game, away to Hampton & Richmond, on the 13th of August.”

But it’s the visit of Chelsea that really hits the spot for everybody at Hayes Lane.

Jones said: “Chelsea? Wow! Where did that come from?

“It’s a great game for the club.  It’s not often you play a Chelsea XI our whatever it is but just to be on the pitch (with Chelsea), it’s a great opportunity for the club.

“I really hope there’s a good crowd.  I’m hoping we can look forward to see experienced players there coming through.

“Just to be on the same pitch as Chelsea Football Club – fantastic!

“For Bromley to play Chelsea, that wouldn’t have happened a few years’ ago!”

Looking ahead to their opening league game, Jones, who worked as the club’s Academy manager last season, and will continue in that role again this season, said; “We are looking forward to that.  We have told the players it’s about preparation on the 13^th and then for the next game (at home to Boreham Wood) on the Tuesday night and so on and games will come very, very, very quickly.

“But we just want things right, get the squad stabilised.”

When asked about the club’s aspirations for the season ahead, Jones replied, “We’re not going to get carried away.  We have got carried away in the past and you talk about play-off’s and expectations, the expectations at this moment in time is to build these young players and to gain more experience and to benefit from the experience and improve as players – that can only take the club forward in the longer term.

“There’s plans ahead to build Astroturf around and to create other revenue streams so it’s not only about the playing side.  It is about Bromley Football Club, but everyone will look at our results.  We’ve just got to keep competing and ensure these players get the experience and take us to a good level.  Where that level is, at this moment in time, I’m not prepared to say.”

Bromley won their first seven league games to top the Conference South table last season but slipped down the table and had to settle for eleventh place.  They reached the Kent Senior Cup Final, but were defeated 4-1 by Dartford at Princes Park, ten days after Bromley beat Tony Burman’s side in a league game at Hayes Lane on Good Friday by the same score.

Admission prices for Bromley’s home pre-season friendlies are £12 (adults), £6 (concessions) and £5 (under 16’s/students).

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net  

Bromley  v  Crystal Palace
Pre-Season Friendly
Tuesday 2^nd August 2011
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF