Omar Sowumni’s desire to play EFL football was reason for original Bromley exit – but defender is loving life back at Hayes Lane

Omar Sowumni’s desire to play in the Football League was the driving force behind his decision to leave Bromley for Sutton United – but he is loving life back at Hayes Lane after his season away.

The centre-back joined the Ravens in August 2021 from Colchester and became a hit.

He featured consistently under Andy Woodman for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons, winning the club’s Players’ Player and Manager’s

Player of the Season awards in his second full season.

But the lure of EFL football saw the towering defender join Sutton for the 2023-24 season after turning down a deal with Bromley.

He rejoined this summer after a year away following Sutton’s relegation to the National League and Bromley’s first-ever promotion to the EFL.

“It was a hard decision for me,” Sowumni told the South London Press. “I was back and forth with the club – it was such a tough decision. I wanted to play league football.

“I had a great relationship with everybody here. It wasn’t easy. But I’m loving it – it’s good to be back. When I spoke to the gaffer and knew that there was interest to come back here, it was definitely top of my list to make it happen.

“I was excited. I never stopped being in contact with Dunny [assistant manager Alan Dunne] or the gaffer due to the friendship and the relationship we built up before.”

Sowumni reached the play-off semi-finals with the Ravens in the 2022-23 season, they lost to Chesterfield in extra time after Deji Elewere was sent off.

Despite not being a part of the side that went one step further and won promotion for the first time in the club’s 132-year history, he still attended the semi-final win over Altrincham and watched the final win against Solihull Moors on his holiday.

When asked if he felt as though he should have been on the Wembley pitch helping some of his now team-mates complete the job he helped start, Sowumni said: “I’m always going to think that – but you can’t.

“It could happen to anyone in any situation.

“If you decide to do something and what you leave does well, you’ll think: ‘Why didn’t I stay?’ I was nervous [watching Byron Webster taking the winning penalty]. I always trusted Webby to finish that.

“I’m mates with all the boys. I kept in contact with them all. I was so happy for them to see the emotions and looks on their faces when they won the game.”

Sowumni made 43 appearances during his season with Sutton, picking up seven goal contributions in all competitions as they were relegated back to the National League after finishing 23rd in the table.

“It wasn’t ideal,” said the former Ipswich youngster. “I left because I wanted league football – that’s always my goal and will always continue to be my goal.

“It’s an extremely tough league and every team deserves to be here. I learned a lot. When you’re losing football games and things aren’t going your way, you have a lot of time to self-reflect.

“I took the positives out of my game too. You can’t just dwell on the negatives all the time.

“You’re never going to continue to make yourself a better person or player.”
Sowumni had to bide his time at the start of the season to win his place back in the starting line-up.

He returned in the 1-1 draw with Milton Keynes and Woodman’s side have lost just once in their last six games.

Bromley have also ended their nine-game wait for a League Two win – Ben Thompson’s first-half goal the difference in the 1-0 victory at Doncaster.

“I had some stuff that I was dealing with at the start of the season,” he explained.

“I missed a lot of pre-season and I was catching up.

“I’m happy to be back in the team now. It’s such a tough league and it’s completely different to the National League.

“A lot of people say the two leagues are the same, but the reality of it is that it’s not.

“Every team that you play is a top quality side and anyone can win any game.

“I said to the boys: ‘When you’re near the bottom of the table and things aren’t going your way, nothing falls for you.’

“It was important to get the win at Doncaster to get the confidence back.”

Bromley are 18th after their first 13 league outings. They are six points away from the relegation zone and eight points off the play-offs.

“I want to get promoted here,” said Sowumni, asked about his goal for his Bromley return.

“It’s very achievable with this group of players and staff that we have. It’s about proving people wrong and playing to our ability.

“We know we’re capable of it.”

PICTURES: KEITH GILLARD