‘It’s a brilliant club’ – Bromley boss Andy Woodman delighted at Newcastle United draw in FA Cup

BY EDMUND BRACK
edmund@slpmedia.co.uk

Bromley manager Andy Woodman always had a feeling his side would land ex-employers Newcastle United in the third round FA Cup draw.

The Ravens made history and progressed to this stage of the competition for the first time in their history following a second-round 2-1 win at National League side Solihull Moors.

Woodman worked at St James’ Park under Alan Pardew between 2010 and 2015 as goalkeeper coach, reaching the Europa League quarter-finals in 2013.

League Two Bromley will head to the Premier League giants during the weekend of January 10 to 13.

“I didn’t have time to react – my phone went mental,” Woodman told the South London Press. “It was bizarre. I didn’t have time to jump around. I had this weird feeling we were going to get Newcastle all along – I kept saying it.

“As the balls were going down, I thought to myself: ‘This is getting more and more realistic.’

“I got messages from all the staff still there at Newcastle – it was great.

“It’s going to be nice to go back to a club where I have so many fond memories.

“I look at Newcastle as working for one of the biggest clubs in Europe.

“People will argue that they haven’t won much, but it’s such a brilliant club. The passion that runs through the place and the whole city is brilliant. I have a real deep affection for Newcastle – it means everything to me.”

Woodman also worked as a goalkeeping coach at Crystal Palace, West Ham and Charlton.

But did he envisage himself being the main man in the dugout during his time up north?

“Probably not,” said Woodman, whose son Freddie played nine times for the Magpies.  “You get to a stage where you think: ‘This is me now’.

“You’re always looking to evolve and an opportunity to dip your toe into the management side of things.

“It just had to be the right opportunity. It came along with Bromley and it’s not gone too badly.”

Woodman ticked off another milestone with the South Londoners when they knocked out Solihull through goals from Omar Sowunmi and Danny Imray – reaching the third round for the very first time in the club’s history.

“It was the one thing I hadn’t done,” he said.

“We haven’t got as far as we wanted in the FA Cup in previous years.

“Sometimes it can be a good thing, because our priority was to get promoted. But from a personal point of view, it was something I wanted to do for the owner, supporters and community of Bromley.

“To get a draw like Newcastle, it’s dreamland, isn’t it?”

Palace loanee Imray – on his first senior EFL loan spell – has finally found his name on the scoresheet after continually getting himself into good positions this season.

“Danny has been brilliant,” said Woodman. “I’m chuffed to bits for him. We have a real catalogue of players that we have taken since my time here that have gone on to do really good things.

“They have come here and they have enjoyed their football. They go away becoming better players – Alex Mitchell and Ali Al-Hamadi spring to mind.”

Millwall loanee Kamarl Grant, 21, has had his current deal signed off until January – but Lions boss Neil Harris revealed that there is the possibility of extending his stay for the full season should all parties agree.

Imray, 21, has also been catching the eye of sides higher up the football pyramid due to his performances, and Palace could choose to recall him in January to test him at a higher level.

“There have been conversations,” said Woodman.

“I would want them all to stay – of course I would – but I’m also realistic. I’m also not going to get too stressed about it.

“Everyone will wonder what is going to happen next, but there is always, always another player out there.

“Clubs trust me with their players. As much as there is disappointment when players in the past have left us.

“We have to make sure we work hard and smart, so we’re ready for anything that happens.

“I would love them to stay and finish off the job. I think they’re enjoying their time here, but most of all, they are playing – that’s the most important thing.”

Michael Cheek clocked up his 250th Bromley appearance in the 1-1 draw with Carlisle United on November 16.

The 33-year-old has scored nine times in League Two during his debut EFL campaign.

“He’s been great,” added Woodman.

“Everyone knows what I think of Michael Cheek. I’m chuffed for him.

“The key for him is consistency to make sure he doesn’t just start the season well but goes well right through until the end of the season and is one of the leading marksmen in this division as well.

“I have no doubt he will do that. We’re lucky to have Michael Cheek as the man to put the chances away.”

PICTURE: ALAMY