'APPRENTICE' WOODMAN GETS REWARD FOR LOYALTY

ANDY WOODMAN has had history on his mind.

- MATT BADCOCK

In the week building up to the biggest day in Bromley’s existence, he dug out old photos from the club’s 132-year past to show his players.

This promotion has been an obsession, one the 52-year-old goes as far as saying has even been an unhealthy one.

But, a smile as wide as Wembley’s arch, he came into the press room and breathed a big sigh of relief.

It’s not lost on the former Arsenal and Newcastle coach he may not have been sat in the seat he was.

Offers for his services – including from Gillingham – have been swotted away down the years. Getting Bromley to the EFL the only mission.

“I wanted to show loyalty – a word that doesn’t always exist in this football game,” Woodman said. “I felt I owed it to the owner. I felt I owed it to the players. And I felt I owed it to the fanbase.

“I’ve done what I set out to do. I will be the man with this group of players who got the team into the Football League.