‘You have to work that little bit smarter’ – Bromley boss Andy Woodman opens up on EFL life

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Andy Woodman has elevated Bromley to new heights since leaving his previous hole as head of goalkeeping at Arsenal in 2021 but is still hungry for more

Andy Woodman is no stranger to a final at Wembley. In fact, the Bromley boss has become somewhat of a play-off connoisseur since swapping the glitz and glamour of Arsenal for Hayes Lane.

This marks just the second time in five seasons since Woodman’s arrival in the spring of 2021 that the Ravens have not been in the thick of the end of season promotion party. Understandable, perhaps, given that last year Bromley were promoted to the EFL for the first time in their proud history after striking it rich under Wembley’s famous arch.

Not quite. Woodman will be sitting in the stands watching AFC Wimbledon and Walsall slug it out for a place in the third tier still smarting over the five points that would have clinched Bromley a golden ticket.

The 53-year-old, who claimed the FA Trophy as compensation in the only previous campaign where Bromley missed out on the top seven during his tenure, admits: “I can’t tell you how much I’ve struggled with not getting in there. The chairman sat down with me to try and keep me sort of sane with it. But I was devastated we couldn’t get there.”

Listening to Woodman, you wouldn’t guess you were talking to the manager of a club with a bottom two budget. Even in the National League, the Ravens were effectively boxing Goliath without gloves with a bottom five budget.

READ MORE: ‘We’ve come a long way’ – Leyton Orient chairman Nigel Travis sets sights on Wembley redemptionREAD MORE: Bromley captain Byron Webster reflects on making EFL history and viral Wembley moment

For a 20-year veteran coach who has spent the majority of his polished career operating at some of the Premier League’s elite clubs, Woodman has adapted quickly to the reality of the lower levels. Just like his playing days, he doesn’t mind getting his hands dirty.

“It means you have to work that little bit smarter and that little bit harder,” Woodman says. “But I’m blessed: I’ve been in this game 37 years and I’ve benefitted greatly from working at top, top clubs.”

The wealth of experience Woodman brought from his extensive coaching career came hand in hand with a loaded black book of contacts. Relationships with club officials and loan managers – some stretching all the way back to his playing days – have given Bromley far more bang for their buck at the lower end of the footballing food chain.

Both club and manager have since been bolstered by a burgeoning reputation for player development. 16 academy products have earned debuts during Woodman’s reign. Significant transfers have followed for homegrown talent: Ben Krauhaus, a talented 20-year-old winger, joined Brentford in January before being loaned back. Kellen Fisher has flourished at Norwich City and the vultures are already sizing up the 21-year-old right-back for a multi-million pound transfer.

That has been just as sweet – if not more so – than the points and the accolades. “I would go as far as to say that these are respected football people that trust me and us as a club with their players. And they’ve seen what we can do with their young players.

“My duty of care while these young footballers are with me is to make sure that they maximise their potential and go on to have good careers. I really pride myself on that. Seeing [players like Krauhaus and Fisher move on] is my reward.”

This time last year Woodman was piecing together a powerpoint consisting of clippings from various media outlets and channels writing the club off as relegation fodder. Despite being within his rights to do so, there is no gloating after emphatically proving the outside world wrong.

Instead, he and the club are locked in on ensuring they do not fall victim to the latest obstacle in their path: the notorious second-season syndrome. “We know what to expect; it’s down to us to make sure that we’re prepared,” Woodman reasons.

“When we were in the National League the time the ball was in play [on average] was 49 minutes. In the league this year it was 71 minutes. So a huge difference and probably my biggest takeaway [of the season].

“The high-speed running was another level. We were a seriously fit team in the National League, but the high-speed running was so much more than what we’d put in. We were one of the fittest teams; we were probably 5KM down compared to League Two. We’ve bridged that, now we have to go up again another gear.”

Woodman is an engaging character. But there is substance behind the anecdotes; an edge behind the smile. When the conversation turns to ideologies in an era where some coaches willl brazenly stick to their principles no matter what, Woodman is an advocate for adaptability.

“There was a point in the season where we tried to keep the ball and maybe control games better. And all of our numbers dropped.

“We have not got players that are on Man City’s level. So we have to play to our strengths; our strengths are pace, energy, getting it down the sides and getting crosses in the box. Keeping teams locked in their own half.”

“Set-pieces are a big part [of the modern game],” he adds. “We’ve looked at Arsenal: they’ve been unbelievable at set pieces and it’s been huge for them. It’s become a part of the game we take really seriously and we work really hard on every element of them; throw-ins, goal kicks, free kicks. Everything. We don’t just lump it in the box; a lot of work and effort and thought goes into them.”

Ambition is another thing neither he nor the club are short of. When Woodman was approached by Robin Stanton-Gleaves, the club were established in the fifth tier but had never reached the play-offs at that level. Their target for the club back then was League One – that hasn’t changed.

After licking his wounds over the summer, Woodman and Bromley – small budget and all – will come again. He feels both he and the club are adequate enough to grace a higher level.

More club records set this season – the highest league finish in their history and reaching the FA Cup third round for the first time – are indicators they are moving in the right direction.

“I want to grow but you’ve got to be realistic,” says Woodman. “You’re not just going to get a Championship job, let alone a Premier League one. You’ve got to work through the leagues [for it].

“I look at someone I know really well, Chris Wilder: he’s a bit of an inspiration to me. And Eddie Howe. They’ve done that and look at the success they’ve had.

“So I look at them and as much as people might think that’s a bit of dream world, but I look at those guys and the way they’ve gone about their journey and that’s what I want to replicate. And why shouldn’t I?”

Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.