Bromley boss Woodman: Hopefully we will be the FA Cup’s giant killers this season
Blackpool – seventh in League One – are 43 places above Bromley, who beat National League rivals Wealdstone to progress to the first round.
The last time Bromley reached the second round of the FA Cup was in the 1945-46 season when the competition was two-legged, losing to Watford.
“It’s a great game to put the club on the map,” Woodman told the South London Press.
“It shows the progression of our football club and it’s something the players should relish.
“It’s the chance to create another little bit of history. The history tells you that there is always a giant killing, so hopefully this year it can be Bromley.
“I’m always on about creating the next bit of history here. It would be such a great reward – firstly for our owner, who has invested a lot of money in the club and infrastructure – and secondly for our players and the growing number of supporters we’re getting.
“People are coming to our games more and more – our numbers are up. We want to get them higher and hopefully this game will attract a few more to come and support their local football team.
“We will be playing the best team available to us in this match and we will be trying to give a good account of ourselves against a very good Blackpool team who are in the top-half of the League One table.
“Neil Critchley is a very astute coach and a good football manager – he won’t be taking us likely. He has been around the game far too long to take this match for granted. It’s going to be a great weekend. Hopefully we can give everyone in the community of Bromley something to smile about again.”
Woodman was part of the Crystal Palace coaching staff under boss Alan Pardew that reached the FA Cup final in the 2015-16 season, losing 2-1 in extra time to Manchester United.
He was also at the Eagles as a player during their run to the 1989-90 FA Cup final, which also ended in defeat to the Red Devils.
“It means everything to me,” Woodman said of his affiliation to the competition.
“The years of growing up around it, as my era did, it was such an important competition.
“FA Cup Final Day was always a massive day.
“I have been lucky enough to be involved in some cup finals at Crystal Palace, so I’m really looking forward to it.
“I just hope that my players, staff and my supporters can experience the same sort of highs I have experienced with it.”
Michael Cheek has bagged seven goals for Woodman in the National League this season.
The 32-year-old forward has 339 games in the fifth tier under his belt, scoring 137 times, but is yet to feature in League Football.
“He is a bit of a legend in National League status, and I don’t use that term lightly,” added Woodman.
“It would be nice if he could put his name into FA Cup folklore and hopefully become a bit of a hero for us on Saturday.”
Charlton loanee Deji Elewere, who has scored in his two outings since recently returning to the Ravens on a short-term deal, will be unavailable for selection.
“His parent club Charlton don’t want him to be cup tied,” said Woodman.
“That’s their prerogative and I have no problem with that.
“I respect any of our loan clubs and what their decisions are with their players.”
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