Bromley boss Neil Smith signs ex Millwall midfielder Liam Trotter while Roger Johnson returns to Hayes Lane

BROMLEY manager Neil Smith has made his first signings of the close-season.

 

Central midfielder Liam Trotter, 32, has signed for the National League club having not had a club since leaving California based side Orange County in the USA on 1 December 2019.

Trotter has made 199 Championship appearances for the likes of Ipswich Town, Millwall, Bolton Wanderers and Nottingham Forest and Smith told Bromley’s website that he is delighted to bring him to Hayes Lane.

“We were looking to do something with Liam back after Christmas,” revealed Smith.

“Unfortunately, covid-19 affected any potential agreement but I think we made an impression on him at the time.

“As soon as we were looking for players, he got in contact with us and it is a major signing for us.”

Birmingham-born centre-back Kory Roberts, 22, has signed following his release from Walsall, where he made 33 appearances.

“Kory is someone we have been talking to for a while now and League clubs had been interested in him,” said Smith.

“So again, to get someone of his quality and his potential into our club is fantastic.

“It just shows you where the club wants to go and the players we want to try and get in.”

Third-choice goalkeeper Tarek Najia, 19, has signed a new contract, having made just one first-team appearance for the Ravens last season, against Gillingham in the Kent Senior Cup.

“He came in under Jim Stannard’s recommendation. We are looking for the younger players and he came in and made an impression in and around the first-team,” Smith said of the Lebanon under 19 international, signed last summer from their National League rivals Dagenham & Redbridge.

“We’re looking to make him a better player and for him to enhance this team.”

Bromley have also issued the following statement, concerning changes within Smith’s management team.

“Neil Smith welcomes Andy Little into his first-team coaching set up as the new goalkeeping coach. The move confirms Jim Stannard’s departure having joined the club during the 2018/19 season.

“The club also bids a fond farewell to under 23’s manager and Academy coach Danny Mills, having served the club for a number of years, helping to nurture and bring through talented footballers into the professional development squad and first-team.

“Mills’ departure will now see Roger Johnson take on the managerial role of our U23s set up, re-joining the club he finished his distinguished playing career with.

“Also joining the club is Richard Sterling, who will become the first-team lead sports therapist at Hayes Lane as well as overseeing physiotherapy within the Academy. Sterling joins following Paul Smith’s departure who had joined the club ahead of the 2019/20 campaign and has previous experience working with the club’s professional development squad.

“The club would also like to place their thanks to Paul Emerson, who assisted the first-team for a number of seasons and has now took up a coaching role at Tunbridge Wells.

“Bromley Football Club would like to give our thanks to Jim Stannard, Danny Mills, Paul Smith and Paul Emerson and wish them all the best for the future.”

Meanwhile, former Maidenhead United striker Adrian Clifton, 31, has left the club after one season at Hayes Lane, which stages a pre-season friendly between Cray Wanderers and Bromley on Saturday (14:30).

Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.co.uk