Bromley achieved promotion to League One for the first time in their history with two games remaining in the season.
Ravens had to wait until last week to achieve this feat as they lost to MK Dons and drew with Cambridge.
But Notts County’s loss to Barnet on Saturday means the League Two leaders will no longer remain in the automatic promotion ranks.
Founded in 1892, the Ravens took 132 years to reach the EFL, but reached the third division in just their second season.
It’s a sensational achievement for Andy Woodman’s south-east London club.
After Saturday’s result, Bromley are now seven points behind fourth-placed Salford and will finish the season with games against Salford and Walsall.
“The rise is significant.”
Sky Sports EFL Editor Simeon Gollum:
“It took Bromley 132 years to reach the Football League. It took them just two years to get from League Two to League One.
“It was unthinkable when a small community club tucked away in a corner of south-east London made it to the EFL by winning the 2024 National League play-off final. This is not a club with money poured into it. It is a success achieved through graft, unity and hard work.”
“Andy Woodman, who has been in charge since 2021, has always been a driving force at the helm. He never rested on his laurels when they reached League Two, insisting the only way up was up.
“Last season they were a playoff threat but faltered towards the end, but this season they swept the division.
“After getting off to a slow start, it reached its peak at the end of December and remained there throughout the year.
“Hayes Lane, their home ground since 1938, holds just over 6,000 fans, of which fewer than 2,000 are seated. “As they have grown they have had to renovate and update their grounds and two summers ago, just after they reached the EFL, they had to demolish their old artificial pitch.
“The next edition will feature teams that have played in Ligue 1 football, the Premier League and, in some cases, Europe in the 21st century.
“The rise is significant.”
“Bromley’s identity is unique in the EFL… it’s a real Cinderella story.”
Dave Edwards on EFL podcast Sky Sports Essential:
“It’s one of the nicest community football clubs I’ve been to. It’s very unique to have a place like that, especially in the EFL.”
Bromley have just been promoted from the National League in 2024.
“They set up a social club in the corner where all the fans gather before the match, then you come back and at the end all the ‘Player of the Match’ merchandise is there.
“Andy Woodman has created something very special there and the whole fan base is really into it.
“I’m really happy for him, he comes from a background of goalkeeping coaches and he took this opportunity, grabbed it with both hands and did great things for this football club.
“Identity is very important to them. The way they play is unapologetic. A lot of people who see them for the first time think they’re a long-ball team, but they’re not. I would say they’re a long-passing team.”
“They play percentage football and everyone is on the same page. The amount of times they break through the wings, whether it’s the striker or the winger getting into the box and putting in a cross, it’s very simple but very effective.”
“This is a real Cinderella story.”
