Kentish Football 
It's business as usual at Bromley, says assistant manager Hayden Bird
Wednesday 29th December 2010
BROMLEY assistant manager Hayden Bird says a combination of the wintry blast and not playing at home has cost the club £60,000 in lost revenue over an eight-week period - but confirmed that players have now received their outstanding wages, writes Stephen McCartney.
The last time that The Lillywhites played a home game at Hayes Lane was a 2-2 draw against Woking on Tuesday, 9 November, which was watched by 408 fans.
Subsequent home games against Chelmsford City (twice), Maidenhead United and Dover Athletic were all called off for various reasons and the club were forced to appeal to supporters to contribute towards running costs earlier in the week.
Quick thinking secretary Colin Russell contacted his counterpart at Maidenhead and the two clubs have agreed to try again at Hayes Lane on Thursday night to ease Bromley’s cash-flow problems.
“We’re really pleased that we could get the game on,” Bird told www.kentishfootball.co.uk.
“Colin Russell has done a really good job for us as a secretary to arrange the game at such short notice and both on and off the pitch, of course, it’s important to get a home game finally.”
The former Carshalton Athletic boss updated the financial situation at the Blue Square Bet South club.
“As I said to BBC Radio London earlier in the week, it’s important to differentiate between a cash-flow problem and a financial problem. There aren’t any financial problems here, the infrastructure of the business is very strong.
“However, we have lost £60,000 in revenue from not playing a home game since the ninth of November so that’s put a strain on cash flow.
“With regards to players’ wages, all of our players wages have been honoured, as have all of our debts and it’s business as usual.
“I repeat, there’s no problem with the business, the infrastructure of the company is stronger than ever. However, you can’t possibly legislate for not playing at home since the ninth of November. All that it’s generated a little strain on our resources, on our cash flow.
“The response that has come in from supporters already has been overwhelming. I feel confident that we can move on from this and I think it will make us stronger.”
Bromley will leapfrog over Braintree Town into top spot with at least a point against Maidenhead United on Thursday night.
Second half goals from striker Warren McBean and the now departed John Scarborough sealed a 2-0 win at York Road back on the 4th September and Bird admitted he was impressed with Johnson Hippolyte’s strike force that day.
He said: “I think it will be a difficult game. I think they actually played well when we beat them 2-0. Their forward line is definitely dangerous and we will have to be on our mettle tomorrow to keep then out, but we’re chomping at the bit.
“Everybody is looking forward to putting the Weston game behind us, finally, and hopefully we can bounce back with a good victory at Hayes Lane tomorrow.”
Bromley suffered a woeful 7-0 defeat at Weston-super-Mare in their last game, on the 11 December.
But Bird warned his side may be lacking match-fitness due to the enforced lay-off.
“I think everybody’s in the same boat, despite the fact that we haven’t played, the players have worked very hard in training to maintain their condition, so whilst across the ninety minutes maybe the match fitness will be a problem, or not so much a problem, perhaps they wouldn’t be as sharp as they would be normally, but I think we will be in good enough condition to play well.”
Retaining top spot will add spice to the Kent derby at Dover Athletic on New Years Day (3pm).
“Yes, be nice! I think that we need to win first of all. We definitely need to respond as I’ve said on one or two occasions now,” added Bird.
“Dover (in fourth place) and Ebbsfleet (in fifth) both had good results so it’s important to get back to winning ways and I think three points on Thursday will set up a fantastic occasion at Dover on Saturday.”
Looking ahead to the Kent derby at Crabble, the Bromley number two added: “I think (Adam) Birchall is the best striker in the league and we’re aware of that and we will be ready for that.
“But Dover are not only about Birchall, Dover have good players all over the pitch, including a couple of lads that were at Bromley in (Rob) Gillman and (Luke) I’Anson, who are both doing an excellent job for them this season, which is no surprise.”
Admission prices at Hayes Lane are £10 (adults) and £5 (concessions).
www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering this game.
Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net
Bromley v Maidenhead United
Blue Square Bet South
Thursday 30th December 2010
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF
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