BROMLEY ON THE ORIENT: BROMLEY WILL BRING A SPECIAL CUP ATMOSPHERE TO BRISBANE ROAD - BARRY HEARN

LEYTON ORIENT chairman Barry Hearn says Bromley’s visit to Brisbane Road on Saturday typifies the spirit of The FA Cup, writes Stephen McCartney.


Mark Goldberg’s men bid to become the first Bromley side to beat Football League opposition in The FA Cup when they travel to east London in the First Round on Saturday.

Leyton Orient, who are unbeaten in eight games, held Premier League giants Arsenal to a draw in the last sixteen last season, before going out with their heads held high in a replay in north London.

“As far as I’m concerned you just can’t beat the FA Cup,” Mr Hearn told Leyton Orient’s website, www.leytonorient.com.

“Anyone who talks about the FA Cup losing its shine has lost their way in their footballing life.

“We know the Premier League is a great entertainment brand and we know the players earn millions of pounds, but the real essence of football is in the smaller clubs – and the FA Cup is where everyone has their day.”

Mr Hearn knows the Bromley public will come out in force to get behind their heroes on Saturday.

Goldberg’s side have beaten three of their Kent rivals (Welling United, Margate and Dartford) to get to this stage of the competition, the third time in five years’ that the Ravens have got to the First Round.

Mr Hearn said:  “This Saturday will be a day everyone looks forward to.  It’s the First Round of The FA Cup and the winner goes through to the Second Round.

“Bromley will bring loads of people here, there’ll be noise, there’ll be a special Cup atmosphere and it’ll be a celebration of the national game.  That’s what the Cup is all about.”

Bromley, who are in seventeenth place in the Blue Square Bet (Conference) South table, with five wins and three draws from their fifteen league outings, will certainly bring plenty of passion to the East Stand at Brisbane Road.

“Bromley Football Club are delighted to confirm that over 1,400 tickets have now been sold for our visit to Leyton Orient on Saturday,” said a club statement, posted on www.bromleyfc.net this lunchtime.

Supporters should contact the club on 0208 460 5291 to purchase tickets but ALL tickets must be picked up from Hayes Lane by 9pm Friday.

“With another push we can pass the 2,000 mark, which will be a great achievement and will be a massive boost for our squad,” added the statement.

Bromley are taking three supporters’ coaches to the game, and many more are commuting by public transport.

The League One outfit have reduced their ticket prices for Bromley’s visit:

£15 (adults), £10 (concessions) and £5 (under 18s).

Concessions apply to seniors (65 and over), students (with current valid ID card), unemployed supporters (with proof of current status) and serving members of the armed forces.

Please visit www.bromleyfc.tv/facup for further ticket details.

www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game and will bring you the match report and reaction over the course of the weekend.

BROMLEY’S FA CUP RECORD
Bromley first competed in The FA Cup back in 1914, their run being ended in the Sixth Qualifying Round by Luton Town, after starting in the previous round, needing a couple of games to get past Hampstead Town.
Bromley have never beaten a Football League club in The FA Cup
Bromley have gone 66 years’ since winning a First Round tie in The FA Cup
Bromley’s record win (12-1) came in a FA Cup Preliminary Round tie away to Chertsey Town back in 1982.

1937-1938
First Round:  King’s Lynn (away) W4-0
Second Round: Scarborough (away) L1-4

1938-1939
First Round:  Apsley (home) W2-1
Second Round: Lincoln (away) L1-8

1945-1946:
First Round: Slough United (home) W6-1 & (away) L0-1
Second Round:  Watford (home) L1-3 & (away) D1-1

1947-1948:
First Round:  Reading (home) D3-3 & (away) L0-3

1949-1950:
First Round:  Watford (home) L1-2

1950-1951:
First Round: Aldershot (away) D2-2 & (home) L0-1

1951-1952:
First Round: Torquay United (away) L2-3

1976-1977:
First Round: Swindon Town (away) L0-7

1996-1997:
First Round: Enfield (home) L1-3

1996-1997:
First Round:  Gillingham (away) L1-4

2009-2010:
First Round: Colchester United (home) L0-4

2011-2011:
First Round:  Leyton Orient (away)

FA Cup Qualifying Round ties not listed

Quotes courtesy of www.leytonorient.com  & www.bromleyfc.net

Leyton Orient  v  Bromley
The FA Cup with Budweiser First Round
Saturday 12^th November 2011
Kick Off 3:00pm
At Brisbane Road, Leyton, London E10 5NF