22ndjune03

Bromleians Sports Look Forward To Their Biggest Challenge
Exclusive Interview by Stephen McCartney

Bromleians Sports' first season in the British Energy Kent Football League saw the Bromley Common based outfit clinch the Division Two (West) championship.  They also reached the A.F.A. Senior Cup Final but a single goal defeat to Winchmore Hill denied them the double.

Leading the way is manager Ben Kotey, 36, a credit controller from Plumstead.

A playing career that saw him play for Welling United reserves for one season at the age of nineteen before he wore the colours of Greenwich Borough (Kent League), Haringey Borough (Spartan League) and Moonshot Athletic (Kent County League).

It was when he gained his coaching licence that things took off for him.  Meeting highly respected coach Alan Seamons who was involved at Ryman League side Bromley, Kotey was asked to manage Bromley's reserve side in season 2001-2002.

Bromley scrapped their reserve side one year later but Kotey stayed at Bromleians Sports and took charge of the side and prepared them for the debut in the Kent County League. 

Bromleians Sports have senior status via their affiliation to the Amateur Football Association.

This was Kotey's first sole managerial role and he praised the players that played their part in the successful campaign.

Rob O'Hara (goalkeeper), Keith McCann (sweeper), Ben Ryan (Club Captain), Joe and Steve Wade and defenders Paul Hardy and Mark Banks all had outstanding seasons.

O'Hara played for Bromley reserves and former Ravensbourne School pupil Ben Ryan played for Welling United's youth team when the Wings were an established Conference club. Joe Wade turned out for Millwall and was at Bromley under Dave Garland's reign.

Looking ahead to the challenge of Division One West next season, Kotey said: "We just want to establish ourselves in the higher division and finish in the top half and have another good cup run."

The club are now only two divisions below the Go Travel Kent League where Beckenham Town, Cray Wanderers and Maidstone United lock horns.

But Kotey admits playing these clubs is a long way off as the club would need to improve their Lower Gravel Road base and install floodlights.

Like all successful teams hard work and determination is the key and Kotey was quickly to thank Reggie Boatswain his assistant manager along with president John Cooper and chairman Bob Spillane.

The club's reserve side made their debut in the Reserve Division Two of the Kent County League and finished in fifth place.  Manager Martin Rose and assistant Nigel Tolson take great credit for their efforts.

With the towns biggest club, Bromley FC winning the London Senior Cup and finishing in sixth place in the Ryman League Division One South, Kotey appreciates he is competing with another club.  He said: "Bromley FC are the biggest club in the area but we are another club who are trying to progress as well."

As the side look forward to their biggest challenge to date, sponsors and players are urgently required to share the progress.  Interested parties should telephone Ben Kotey on 07958 403 553 (mobile).