“The FA Cup is everything to me” — Speaking with Andy Woodman pre-Solihull Moors (A)

Andy Woodman revealed his dream cup draw and spoke on the importance of how big this cup competition this is for Bromley as a football club & a community on Friday afternoon.

The 53-year-old manager guided his side past Rochdale in the previous round after two late goals away in the South Pennines saw them recover from 3–2 down to 4–3 inside added time in the second half.

However for Andy & Bromley, their aim is the possibility of a big third round tie, where the Premier League & Championship clubs come in, and they want their ball in the hat come Monday evening.

Here’s what Andy had to say on Sunday’s tie with Solihull Moors, which will be broadcast live on ITV at 2pm.

The second round is no easy feat, is it Andy?

AW: “It’s a great achievement, great for the football club.

“I think the holy grail however is the third round and that’s where we want to get to with, especially with the big clubs involved.

“We have to overcome Solihull first however, the jobs not done until we’re over the line on Sunday afternoon, so that’s our main aim, then we’re looking ahead.”

It seems almost comical that your against a side you faced four times last season, and you face them again on Sunday isn’t it?

AW: “Football has a funny way of turning up after Wembley in May.

“It’s a big game for both clubs however it’s got a different prize at stake, which is a lot financially better than what we had last time.

“I’m happy we get to put our horns against them. It’s always a good game for the fans and we want to give them something to cheer about over them again.”

Does that mean the play-off final from a few months ago will have any impact on the game itself, maybe with a touch more emotion than you think?

AW: “There’s no way the game can’t bring an edge.

“There was so much at stake and sure they want to get retribution from us, but we want to make another bit of history for Bromley Football Club.

“The fact it’s against them is a massive incentive. It means we had the confidence before, and we want to do it again.”

You’re the league above them this time out however, does that mean you operate as a big club in the tie?

AW: “They’re a good team, and they always have been against us.

“We’ll never operate as a big club though, that’s not how we operate at the club.

“We’re going to take them seriously but we need to stick to our game plan and what we’re about. We can’t step away from the mentality we have currently.”

How is the squad feeling ahead of Sunday?

AW: “All the guys are all good.

“Travelling up and down and away games, mainly more north has been an eye opener stepping up from the National League where we had a lot more southern away days compared to what we face now.

“The lads are good, I felt it was a good performance in the week against Walsall even if we didn’t hang up for the win.

“I think we’re on a run of one loss in nine now, so we’re in good spirits and we want to build on it on the weekend.”

“I saw a performance that was more of us on Tuesday, now we’ve got to make sure we get some consistency.

“Away from home we’re very good, we just need to get home form right then we’ll be in a better position than we are now.”

You had quite a bit of a disruption with Salford being postponed last weekend, hows that affected you?

AW: “It’s never ever easy with games being called off but it was the right decision.

“I’m very surprised the decision wasn’t made earlier. The pitch obviously a worry especially with tackles and injuries, it was clear it wasn’t playable, that’s what happened, we had to take it on the chin and get ready for the next one.”

What does the FA Cup mean to you especially?

AW: “The FA Cup is everything to me.

“I watched it every year as a small boy, and watched many FA Cup finals as a tradition with my son in person.

“Luckily I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying Wembley as a final many times and it’s special.

“It’s the romance of the cup and we want to keep that alive.”

Looks like the game will be a sold out clash, what does it mean to you for fanbase to stick by you?

AW: “Our support has been fantastic this year, our away fanbase has tripled, that’s how good it’s gotten now.

“On top of that, the noise they make is fantastic. They’re a big part of what they’re about, we need them to keep cheering but we need to give them something to cheer about first.”

Is a break from league football to go and play in something like the FA Cup good for overall squad morale?

AW: “There definitely is a difference from the league, it’s a lot more exciting.

“It’s a very welcome break from the league, the excitement of this game has made it such a good fixture for us.

“I don’t care what player you are at the level, the feeling of your club being drawn out the hat is a fantastic feeling.”

Bromley have never reached the third round of this cup in their entire history, if you go out on Sunday and win, who’s the dream opponent?

AW: “That’s a great question!

“Every team from the lower divisions, I would take any of them, just so we can go on an even bigger journey and create more history.

“My own personal journey however, with being a coach at Newcastle and how good it was, I’d love to go back there.

“Equally would love to play Crystal Palace, I’m a Crystal Palace fan myself and it would be brilliant for the local community.

“I’ve been speakingto Steve Parish and had a chuckle about it, if we end up drawing them, so that’s always the dream.”

Massive thank you for Bromley FC & ITV for being incredibly welcoming within the press conference and inviting us down for such an amazing experience.

I can’t speak highly enough of Andy and he is a fantastic person as he is a gaffer, I wish him the best of luck.

Written by: Henry Bennett

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