14thdec03

After leaving Combined Counties League big-boys AFC Wimbledon due to a lack of first team opportunities, Bromley fans favourite Wade Falana is back in a Bromley shirt, writes Stephen McCartney.

Falana, a prolific hit-man at every club he has played for, scored twelve goals for Bromley last season in 28 matches under former manager Stuart McIntyre.

Falana, who has also played for Tonbridge Angels, made a return to the Bromley side in last Tuesday's 2-1 win at Horsham.  With the score 1-0 to the home side, Falana came on as a 73rd minute substitute.

He had an eventful fifteen minutes on the pitch, however.  By the time he was replaced by Paul Vines with two minutes remaining, Adolph Amoako had scored two goals to give the Ravens the three points, Falana was booked and was forced off  injured with a hamstring injury which forced him to miss Bromley's vital 2-0 home win over Croydon on Saturday.

Passionate Falana,  said:  "I will always do my best for Bromley Football Club."

The fans at Bromley loved Falana last season and were shell-shocked when he was released by McIntyre at the beginning of the season and joined AFC Wimbledon.

Passion was clearly missing at Hayes Lane when Eddie Saunders and Curtis Warmington were in charge at Hayes Lane, following McIntyre's shock resignation in October.

But with chairman Jerry Dolke in charge of team affairs at Hayes Lane alongwith experienced midfielder John Myatt and former Leyton Orient coach, Derek Parnham, passion is back at Hayes Lane, and victory at home to Marlow on Tuesday will put Bromley in fourth place ahead of the showdown at league leaders Lewes next Saturday.

Falana added: "It's not about finances or anything, I just want to play football again for Bromley.

"I've had a good time at Bromley, the supporters like me down here.  Money is not an issue, as I've been training for nothing.  I want to play for Bromley Football Club.  I think the people at the club know that and I liked my stay when I was down here last season."

Falana added: "I can offer the team experience, and the most important thing when you play up front is scoring goals and I have a prolific record."

As Bromley strive for a top six finish in the Ryman League Division One South table at the end of the season and a place in the top flight of Ryman League football, Falana feels strongly Bromley should be playing at a higher level of football.

Top flight Ryman League football has been missing from Hayes Lane since the club were relegated in 1998-99 but the club is now showing a desire to gain promotion at the end of the season, by finishing in the top six.

Dolke said: "This season is, with the potential restructuring, a season of the utmost importance that Bromley Football Club finish in the top six.  The run of results were not acceptable in the five matches before I took over as manager, and more worrying, our performances."

Falana added: "To be honest, Bromley Football Club are  too big for Ryman League Division One South football, and it should be playing in the Ryman Premier Division at least.  I feel it's good enough to be in the Conference.  We have to get Bromley Football Club going forward, and I can help them in that way!"