* An excellent turnout on Tuesday with everybody having their say. A very mature approach by all…thanks. Some players felt a monthly evening such as this would be a positive move but perhaps once a term is more fitting. All members of course have the right to make representation at committee meetings and no-one can question our freedom of opinion policy on this forum. Apart from abusive or offensive racist material, we never stifle an individuals right to freedom of speech.
* Details of training arrangements for the next few months will be posted here and on the notice board at the ground.
* John Lockett continues to be frustrated after his jaw fracture … the indefatigable centre back has had to postpone his return to the action until the New Year.
* Christmas meal at Macca’s haunt The Hooden will be on 16 December. Full details at the ground but we can only have 40 places so first come first served. Meal preference and £10 deposits to Max please by the end of this month. Club ties will of course be required [order/pay DH please].
* Chris Howells has recieved backing from his former captain at Ampthill Town FC. Rob Russell is sure he will come good at the Green and said “If you get his confidence up he will be a great asset to the club in the future”.
Club night Tuesday…all attend please
With lots to talk about for officers, managers, players and supporters [and taking into account the unkind weather forecast] it was agreed on Saturday that Tuesday’s Club night will be used to reflect and refocus for the remainder of the season. ”Football evokes opinions and passion and to sit calmly and all try and understand each other and the policies of the club and the team managers will be no bad thing. We are all fighting for the same thing but maybe there is not total harmony on how we get there. Tuesday will provide the ideal chance for players to air their questions and for all of us to dissolve any niggling issues. There are some new players that never mix…I want to know why, we don’t bite…and you are as much a part of the club and its future as everybody else. So everybody, if you can make it, please attend 7pm. Thanks.” DH
Weekend as it happens…
* The club sends its thoughts and condolences to Alvin and his mother following the peaceful passing of Alvin’s father, Jimmy Gigg, in the early hours of Thursday morning.
* Sunday: The only Premier Division game saw a 1-1 stalemate between Mersham and Kennington. In Division Two, Wye edged to a 2-1 home success over much-improved Shadoxhurst.
* Well done to Jamie Hurst (pictured below left) who had his first experience as a qualified referee when
he ran the line at the Swan Ground on Saturday. Patron Dave Homewood said: “Jamie is our Youth Clubman and, while most of us want to see him playing more, I hope he continues to do well as an official. He is very young and has a great opportunity to go all the way to the top; and of course Bromley Green will support him all the way.”
* In the Kent Inter Regional Challenge Cup, the Green firsts went down 2-0 at home to holders Hollands & Blair. A solid Saturday first team debut by keeper Mark Bennett (below) and another fine display
by Mick Doyle were positives but when Lee Milton’s effort was tipped over by the stand-in visiting goalie it was clearly going to be one of those days. Hollands had been reduced to ten men during the first period when their keeper was shown a red card for upending Rocky Hayles outside of his box. A goal in each half proved enough. Meanwhile in the Eastern First Division, New Romney cruised to a 4-0 victory over Otford while Kennington’s 1-0 defeat at APM Mears leaves them locked with the Green with seven points from seven games. Worst result for the local sides came in the shape of Tenterden’s 7-2 hiding at Chartham.
* Keeper Chris Cloke (left) and centre backs Reece Hagger and Liam Smith were the pick of the Green Reserves as they chalked up a 5-2 win away to bottom side Borden Reserves in the Eastern Reserves Division. Ashley Webster (2) and Kenny Hallett (3) were the Green marksmen. No joy however for Kennington Reserves who missed out 2-1 at home to Bearsted Reserves. Full reports on all Green games to follow [click on Latest Match Reports]. No fixtures for either Green side this Sunday.
* Midfielder Chris Howells is contemplating a transfer to Kennington after being relegated to the Reserves on Saturdays. Howells (pictured right) said on Saturday night: “I don’t really
want to leave Bromley Green but last season I played in the firsts and that is where I really want to be now.” Howells will hold talks with the Club on Tuesday night. A Club spokesperson stated: “Chris must make his own mind up. He is keen [in the future] to help bring the youngsters through but feels at the age of 22 that he wants to concentrate on his own game for some years yet.”
* Lee Milton strike levels the scores during the first half but another missed penalty with the score at 1-1 proves costly as the Green go down 2-1 at home to Sheerness East (action picture left). Also in Division One, Kennington go down 3-0 away to AFC Sheppey and Staplehurst continued their freefall with a 7-2 hammering at New Romney.

Thanks to all who made the evening at The Curry Leaf on Thursday such a success. Maxine deserves praise for organising the event and the restaurant staff were exceptionally professional in their ability to serve all 38 of us with what we wanted in decent time. Well done to all concerned! One small note, there is still one member to pay. Maxine and the Patron know who it is so please let’s avoid any bad feeling and get the money to Max on Saturday and no more will be said. Thanks. For more pictures, please click on ‘Curry Night Photos’ above.
Vice President Chris Watson celebrates his 50th birthday today (Tuesday) and the club sends its greetings. ‘Watto’ came through the youth ranks, clocking up 602 senior matches and notching 264 goals in the process. Able to play almost anywhere, Chris began as a wide player with us when he was 15 but he enjoyed many years as an influential midfielder, going on to win a mass of trophies. Along with Paul Brenchley and George Magri, Chris rates amongst the most skilful of players to adorn the Green jersey – a pleasure to watch. Chris is pictured here in 2005 with goalkeeping legend John Kelly and Vice President Ian Holloway.
Good luck to Ryan Smith, Matt Hadlum and Craig Smith who are in the County League Rep squad that faces Sussex at Three Bridges on Tuesday evening. Amazingly manager Mark Edwards has phoned Craig to say that he has not included Green skipper Glenn Mackett in his final squad, prompting Saturday boss Dave Smith (left) to consider the club’s position on this: “Glenn has been outstanding this season and this makes no sense at all. Being the man he is though, he still wants the other boys to go and try and make a name for themselves. I am not happy with the treatment of Glenn and I don’t buy the line that they don’t have his phone number; but after consulting the club’s officers I will go and support the other three lads.” Patron Dave Homewood felt Macca would not be too deterred by this: “Glenn has seen it all before and his main love is Bromley Green. On a selfish note, I hope he will be at training on Tuesday and report fit and ready to lead us at the weekend in two crucial games against Sheerness and Highfield. I also really hope that Matt, Craig and Ryan enjoy their night and have decent run-outs.” On a general note he added ”We have a real spirit in the Club now and are getting there – not just on the field but off it as well. The balance of experience and youth is paving the way to future success and nothing or nobody is going to stop us. It’s hard work with so many of our former quality players elsewhere but this club has bounced back on numerous occasions from far worse than this during the last eighty years and it won’t be long now before Macca is lifting the trophies again. I can’t wait!”
Utility defender Adam Jeffrey, who featured in the Under 16s last season, is returning to the Green. Phil Wedge will hold talks with the player at training on Tuesday. Patron Dave Homewood said: “It will be great to see Adam back but he will need to be patient like our other youngsters. We are determined to reward those who have stayed with us by providing adult football and the sooner we can secure regular friendlies in preparation for a third team next season the better. I think Adam could surprise a few people if he has self belief and we look forward to seeing him again”.
Pictures courtesy of our photographer supreme Paul Carter
On the Sabbath thou shalt pray: Dan Allen as usual gave everything but it was a frustrating morning
Ben Davies who performed well in midfield for Mersham
Ryan Smith (below right) with two goals and no booking … well done! Pay your annual sub and the Patron might yet find some sponsor money!
Green Army linesman Trent (below left) before hearing Jackie had pranged the car (not in Jason style thankfully) …