Afrigather The Diehard Fan: Roy Oliver
Roy Oliver has been supporting Bromley for 64 years. The 77-year-old is the membership’s historian and an authentic ‘Bromley Boy’, starring within the in style guide and have movie ‘The Bromley Boys’.
My first full season was in 1960. I noticed all the house video games however I did not go to any away – I used to be solely 13.
My dad had first taken me down there within the 50s. We would flip up at half-time as a result of it will be free to get in then – cash wasn’t at all times lots. My nan used to run the tea bar.
I began going to 2 or three away video games, the native ones like Dulwich and Tooting after which in 1962-63 I used to be going to many of the video games. After that, I went to each recreation and it is nonetheless persevering with right now.
I used to be on the supporters committee for 36 years and I am nonetheless concerned with all the pieces down there now. We have been volunteers so in the summertime, you probably did the pitch, the weeding, the portray, something that wanted doing,
One of many greatest issues about watching a staff like Bromley, particularly to me, is the friendships you make. Everybody is aware of all people else. Everybody talks to one another.
My sons name me the entire madman historian. However I’ve at all times been within the historical past. I at all times beloved historical past at college so discovering out about soccer golf equipment…like our first shirts have been on the seventh of October 1892. They have been gentle blue on one facet, and olive inexperienced on the opposite.
Bromley have been one of many greatest newbie golf equipment within the nation after the struggle and thru the 50s. There have been newbie internationals in that facet. All the highest gamers needed to come back to Bromley after which some went on to greater golf equipment like Stan Charlton who went to Arsenal.
However the center 60s as much as the center 70s have been dreadful years. The bottom was in horrible situation. Fences have been falling down. Sponsorship wasn’t a lot. After which John Biddle got here from Cray and the upturn began. We fleeted round going as much as the Isthmian Premier after which coming again down once more. And this continued proper as much as about 2004. 22 years later, we’re now within the EFL. Staggering.
There was the fireplace that occurred in 1992 too when the entire stand burnt down, the membership room and all the pieces. It was fairly devastating. We needed to play all our house video games away.
But it surely’s a humorous recreation, you recognize. Supporters are very fickle. They assist the staff once they’re successful, and so they disappear once they’re dropping.
I keep in mind when Dave Roberts first got here down right here. He was fairly younger, fairly shy. He requested me about all my tales and did the identical with followers Peter Batchelor and Derek Godson – and wrote this guide known as The Bromley Boys. It was then made into a movie and we have been the primary characters.
It is primarily based on the 1969-70 season once we have been one of many worst groups – we solely gained three video games that yr within the league. The storyline is made up – I get arrested! – however the essence of the story is true. When you watch carefully, you may see me within the background of the particular movie.
I used to be fairly emotional on the finish of the play-off closing. I shed a number of tears. It was completely marvellous.
It was simply one thing that we by no means dreamed about ever doing. A variety of golf equipment within the Nationwide League, particularly the ex-League golf equipment, all known as us a tin-pot membership. And little question we will be known as it within the League too.
However we’re wanting ahead to it. I am wanting ahead to going to Accrington Stanley due to the advert – “Who’re they?!”.
Andy Woodman is unimaginable. It was fairly a shock, truly, when Woodman got here in, as a result of we have been all going, “Who’s this man?” However he began right away by getting a staff on the market that was going to compete
I will be going to Harrogate this weekend – I did not truly get to go there final time we performed them. I’ve heard it is good. We have two coach masses going up and a few are there for the weekend.
You undergo the dangerous days however I’ve beloved each minute of watching us.
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