National League Play-Off Final: A Day At Wembley With Solihull Moors As Bromley Win Promotion
I travelled to Wembley as one of several thousand Solihull Moors fans hoping for EFL glory, but it was Bromley that finished their story.
“Fancy going Wembley” asked my brother.
“Yeah, I’ll let you know when the tickets are out”
Fast forward a couple of weeks.
“Saturday 11th May. You in?”
“Ah, I’ll have to see if I can book annual leave”
Well, I’m doubtful that’s happening now.
Fast forward a week.
“Moors are in the play-off final. Fancy it?”
“Sunday 5th May, you in?”
“Oh, I’m travelling up to see my girlfriend then”
Two years after a day at London Stadium watching Grimsby Town beat Solihull Moors to complete arguably the most impressive play-off campaign ever, it looked like I wouldn’t be heading down this time around.
Then a saviour appeared. Or, a skinny ginger lad in a bright orange t-shirt after a game of football asking if I fancied going and I said yes half expecting nothing to follow. Fortunately, he followed up on it and we were heading to Wembley.
As a quiet, introverted type, I’m not used to long, public journeys. Such journeys are spent in the passenger seat of a car, enjoying quiet or comfortable solace from the world. Either that, or things are planned at appropriate times to avoid crowds. It’s not always possible, of course.
I say that to acknowledge that when I turned up at Solihull train station, which is always a bit smaller than I anticipate given the size of the borough and it’s direct link to London and Birmingham, I was a little taken aback by the size of the queue for the platform.
It was one of those moments that remind me just how far Solihull Moors have come. A few years back I was a season ticket holder and able to stand on the halfway line with a cup of tea and a few hundred people spread out across the stadium. Now the club are averaging just shy of 1500, which isn’t too shabby for a club in existence for less than 20 years with poor transport links, and had so many travelling to Wembley that we had to now get on a later train.
Few were expecting Solihull Moors to be making this journey in the summer. While the club had a more than competitive budget and had finished in the top three twice in the past six years, they finished the previous season in 15th place finish having lost 15 of their final 29 matches. Craig Cope departed in the winter for AFC Wimbledon and manager Neal Ardley left just days before pre-season was due to start. Ryan Barnett, Andrew Dallas, Ryan Boot and Callum Howe had followed a number of the 2022 play-off final side out of the door. This was not a team prepared for a promotion push.
Andy Whing took the reins. The ex-Banbury United boss was expected to join the coaching staff this summer but Darryl Eales didn’t commit to a new manager and decided to give Whing, who he knew from his days at Oxford United, the full-time manager gig while employing Stephen Ward, formerly of Ireland and Wolves, as Director of Football. They had less than 11 first-teamers on the books and those that had agreed to sign had done so under Ardley and his people. It was a mess.
Pre-season was spent recruiting to form a starting XI at short notice while Whing chopped and changed systems in a bid to find balance. That they then managed to start the season unbeaten in 14 matches was quite something.
Choppy waters followed as the first sign of injuries and tiredness arose. Nine defeats in 16 saw any overly optimistic title hopes disappear and thoughts turned to keeping hold of a top seven finish. Kyle Morrison had picked up a long-term injury, Josh Kelly had been sold, Jamey Osborne was briefly out of action and Whing had a big decision to make.
Another tactical switch followed. Tahvon Campbell and Tyrese Shade added much needed quality and power to the front line. Joe Sbarra returned to full fitness after a pre-season health scare. Jack Stevens was fit again. Whether through luck, judgement or a bit of both, Whing had managed to redress the balance of his side and oversaw eight wins and three losses in the final 16.
From there, it was all about mentality and opportunity. They overran a tired FC Halifax Town early doors to qualify for the play-off semi-final and absolutely tore Barnet apart in their own back yard against the odds. Two games, eight goals and a trip to Wembley.
Looking back, Andy Whing was the right man at the right time. He’s open and honest, takes things in his stride and is clearly adaptable to the situations he finds himself in. He had the support of a chairman he had known for a long time. His honesty helped him get over with the fanbase and he trusted his players. His use of Jamey Osborne, whose discipline has been much improved, as a deep or attacking midfielder depending on game state showed he had a nose for the game and the way certain individuals were dropped in and out during the season but remained on board throughout showcased the relationships he had built with his squad.
The only question now was whether he could finish the job.
It was a question we pondered on the train too until a friend went to the loo and his standing spot ruthlessly seized upon by a girl previously sat on her suitcase. Absolutely no remorse shown.
You never know what kind of crowd you’ll end up near on a day like Sunday.
I was sat in the centre of the crowd when Birmingham City beat Arsenal over a decade ago, stood for the majority of the game, singing and cheering and feeling very much a part of a crowd I believe is still the loudest recorded at Wembley to date. A few years later I travelled with a friend to watch Shrewsbury Town and was sat in a more family friendly section – it’s a shame one bloke decided that wasn’t for him and was kicked out after disappearing and leaving his kids unattended for 20 minutes.
Here, I was firmly in amongst it. Some recognisable faces, including Statto, who perhaps ranks as the most famous Moors supporter, just above while fans below joined in and then some.
I’ll be honest, having gone to fewer and fewer games since COVID, I felt out of place. And maybe it was being older and a little more miserable and being woke up at half 4 by my 1 year old the day before, but hearing Sweet Caroline before kick-off and having a teenager smoking a vape every five seconds next to me gave me the sense that despite the noise, I might not enjoy this as much as I wanted to.
I was wrong.
The atmosphere took over. Chants of “Wembley Again” rang out on the regular with the occasional outburst of other chants including a personal favourite of “Who Let The Moors Out”. The lad in front of me was holding a sign reading “Megatron Give Us A Wave” and then the smell of fire reached us – somebody had let off a flare in the concourse. I know I shouldn’t condone such behaviour but it was just another example of Wembley fever. Solihull Moors had arrived.
Such was the noise around me, the referee’s whistle didn’t register and I turned towards the pitch to find centre-half Karlan Grant already in possession. I guess we’re off.
Andy Woodman’s side had been here before and it showed as they flew out of the blocks and stunned a Moors side that hadn’t had a chance to settle. Within four minutes, Louis Dennis and Idris Odutayo has gone close.
While the players were fighting on the pitch, a few fans started to do the same in the stands. I don’t know the details, and quite frankly don’t want to, but one lad was jeered as security carried him out while another left with blood running down his face. Not exactly the day anticipated for a few folk.
Both the crowd and the players settled down after that. Moors took a couple of risks in possession but it helped those at the back settle down as Callum Maycock and Jamey Osborne saw more of the ball and began dictating. Bromley were always going to be comfortable sitting in their shape, so danger remained. The game had developed largely as expected after 10 minutes of both sides turning each other.
For all their ball, the best Solihull Moors managed was a deflected Joe Sbarra strike and with three minutes to go before half-time, their lack of intensity was punished. Dennis nipped in ahead of Osborne and Corey Whitely found Michael Cheek, who placed his foot ahead of Alex Whitmore, sent the centre-half tumbling and finished confidently 1v1. Bromley led.
I’m still undecided on whether a foul should have been given or not. Those around me certainly had their views and the frustration only grew as replays were shown on the big screen. Especially Whitmore.
Whatever the feeling, the decision was made and Moors were behind when the half-time whistle blew.
The second half started and things had changed around me. Vape boy had switched seats with a friend who made the decision that he should scream everything he said and used the F word as much as possible. I can’t decide if he had had one too many or was desperately trying to impress the girl that had joined them for the second half. Meanwhile the group of lads in front had disappeared into the concourse and not made it out for the second half. At least, I thought they hadn’t.
Moors had started the second half with more fire in their belly and Joe Sbarra made the kind of pass that was missing in the first half, a drilled pass that cut through Bromley bodies. Tahvon Campbell was sharp, turning and getting a shot that dribbled just far enough towards the corner that Grant Smith couldn’t handle it. Sbarra had continued his run towards goal and the parry fell kindly to the diminutive Moors number 7 to equalise.
It turned out those lads were watching – they had stepped out of the concourse, lit a couple of flares and were now topless while celebrating next to a fan in a wheelchair. The party didn’t stop after they were ushered back to their seats, more tops disappearing and a celebratory Poznan for shits and giggles. Our group laughed on at the scenes around us, especially when we realised we were covered in yellow dust from one of the flares.
And it was all going so well until disaster struck.
Bromley are a horrible side to play against. They give you the belief that you’re in total control and the moment your guard is down, they strike. Whitmore played across to the uber-consistent James Clarke who laid a short pass back to the on-loan Nick Hayes. Cheek read it and made his move, reaching the ball before Hayes who took the striker out.
The Bromley number 9 wasn’t missing from the penalty spot and out of almost nowhere, the Ravens were 2-1 up.
But Solihull Moors hadn’t made it this far without a setback or two. Maycock found space and made the forward pass, finding his midfield mate Osborne. Shade and Campbell burst forward and dragged defenders with them, opening space for the Moors captain and talisman to do what he does, running forward and firing in low from 20 yards.
Osborne rejoiced, quickly cuddled by his team-mates. It was a moment he deserved. Bar a brief spell with Grimsby Town, Osborne has been at the club since 2016 and played an integral role in their biggest moments. Yet suspension ruled him out of the play-offs a couple of years back and he was desperate to play his part in this one. He scored against Halifax, ran the show against Barnet and was now scoring at Wembley.
This is why we love football.
“Manchester City, we’re coming for you” chanted supporters in jest with about 20 to go.
Solihull Moors had definitely turned up for the occasion and so had their team. The EFL dream remained in the balance but whatever happened, even in spite of the flares and the earlier scrap, the club look back with pride ahead of another trip to Wembley a week later.
Jon Benton entered the fray but was wayward with two efforts while Whitely, side netting, and Olufela Olomola, blocked, had big opportunities to win the tie inside the 90. Clarke nearly had the final say, curling narrowly over.
Extra time began and the nerves were setting in. I also desperately needed a piddle having not gone since leaving the house that morning but I didn’t fancy rushing during the brief break in play and didn’t want to miss the game.
Kirk was fresh and he was the key man in extra time. He beat Joe Newton in a race, cut inside of him and curled over then headed against the bar from the resulting set-piece. Solihull Moors looked like their race was run with Osborne, who has been looked after during the season following a number of injury issues over the years and Kyle Morrison, starting his first game since early February, both withdrawn.
Kirk would have one more big opportunity, beating Newton again before spanking an effort off the inside of the post only to watch it spin around the other post and out for a goal kick. Everybody looked at each other in disbelief and again moments later when Whitmore, who had headed away everything at the other end during extra time and scored twice to knock Bromley out of the FA Trophy, couldn’t quite sort his feet out.
As soon as the full-time whistle blew, I felt it.
Bromley looked fit and strong and still had Cheek, Whitely, Reynolds, Webster, Olomola on the field, players with the kind of experience, technique and self assurance for the task ahead. Moors had seen Sbarra, Stevens and Osborne depart with Campbell and Shade leggy, Boateng and Benton youthful and having not played much recently.
The Moors fans did their bit, racing from the corner to behind the goal, waving their arms and lights aloft to put off Bromley takers while making what noise they could to get behind their men.
Tyrese Shade was first to step up. Here was a 23-year-old returning to the club he had left at 17 for Premier League Leicester City to reignite their promotion ambitions, knowing he was a free agent this summer after his release from struggling League Two outfit Swindon Town was confirmed. He looked like he was feeling the pressure and Smith’s save left him inconsolable.
It got worse. Cheek showed no fear, firing through Hayes before the experienced Joss Labadie followed Shade to the same result. Two penalties, two saved.
Moors needed hope and it came in the form of Hayes, who sprung to his right to save from Ashley Charles, and Tahvon Campbell, who finished into the bottom corner. They continued to do what they needed to do. Nana Boateng was quick to move after the whistle but found the corner with composure and Benton just about squeezed the ball in off the post. They just needed Bromley to slip up.
Solihull Moors weren’t the only club with stories to tell, however.
Bromley were on a similar rise. They had their own fantastic chairman overseeing rise and a manager in Andy Woodman who had utilised experience and youth to create a culture, structure and togetherness in his image that ensured they were ready for promotion. They had lost fewer matches than any other National League club this season. They had achieved their highest ever league finish and their third play-off finish in four years. They had already won a trophy at Wembley.
Where Solihull Moors have bounced up and down the division under different ideologies and managers and playing staff, Bromley have stayed true to what has worked for them with one managerial change, a core that gradually changed, academy talents that understand the ethos of the club and a fanbase that know what they are getting each season.
It was time for them to finish their story.
Olufela Olomola, who had returned to full-time football earlier that season from Wealdstone was cool as you like. Jude Arthurs, a product of the youth system who had spent so much of the campaign biding his time and waiting for his opportunity and took it at the most important point of the campaign, found the bottom corner. And Byron Webster, a 37-year-old centre-back with two previous Wembley play-off final promotions under his belt, was nerveless, donning an EFL captain’s armband and raising his eyebrows at Hayes with a smile on his face before putting the ball into the back of the net and sealing promotion.
For the first time, the Solihull Moors end fell silent as a wave of noise erupted from the opposite side of the ground.
Bromley Football Club had won promotion to the English Football League for the first time in their history.
Bromley will do well in League Two. I’m not expecting a run for the title, but they’ll have what they see as a successful campaign – a season of consolidation, further growth on and off the pitch and some fantastic wins over clubs they’ve yet to have the privilege of playing.
They’ve got plenty of experience and several players that know the Football League, so I expect that the summer will be focused around adding players, both permanently and on loan, that can replace or enhance those already in the building. I’m delighted for Michael Cheek too, who will finally get an opportunity to play in the EFL after being one of non-league’s most consistent strikers for a decade or so.
Solihull Moors will have to go again. The core of the squad should remain in tact. Alex Whitmore, Kyle Morrison, Jamey Osborne and Tahvon Campbell will stay, James Clarke and Joe Sbarra are settled at the club and have a year remaining on their deal. That leaves Callum Maycock, who I believe is out of contract and certainly deserving of a move. I suspect the club will try and keep Tyrese Shade and their hopes next season will centre around recruitment in the summer. Whing and Ward at least have time to put processes in place this time around.
The National League won’t be an easy league to navigate next season with it being easy to make a case for over half of the division finishing in the top 7 – it will be as tight as ever.
Returning to the end of my day out and the post-match events summed up my weekend.
I had seen my first love, Birmingham City, relegated. Solihull Moors were penalty kicks away from promotion. It was now raining and the promise of a train with three empty carriages turned out to be a lie with the one turning up heaving upon arrival. I even lost a Snickers Duo immediately after buying it from the shop.
There’s always next year, right?