Third-longest serving manager in top 92 clubs Woodman leaves Bromley

Long-standing Bromley manager Andy Woodman has left the League One club following the mutual termination of his contract.

Woodman joined Bromley in 2021 in his first managerial role and oversaw the most successful period in the club's history, winning three trophies in guiding them into the Football League for the first time in their history.

Bromley lifted the League Two title in May this year to secure a second promotion on his watch, with Woodman named the division's manager of the year for 2025-26.

But the Ravens have found life in the third tier challenging as they lie 23rd, just one point above bottom club Wigan Athletic.

They have won just two of their 10 league games this season and conceded an EFL-high 25 goals.

Assistant manager Byron Webster will take charge of first-team affairs on an interim basis with Peterborough United the visitors to Hayes Lane on Saturday (15:00 BST).

Bromley owner and chairman Robin Stanton-Gleaves said Woodman had been "fundamental" in helping the club reach new heights.

"On a personal note, Andy has been a pleasure to work with, and I wish him all the best for the future," Stanton-Gleaves added.

Woodman's five years and seven months in charge of Bromley was the third-longest spell across the 92 clubs in the Premier League and EFL, behind only Arsenal's Mikel Arteta and Nigel Clough of Mansfield.

It certainly comes as a shock to see Andy Woodman departing Hayes Lane but after a 4-0 loss to Leicester City on Tuesday - a third straight defeat in the league in a row and a fifth in a row across all competitions - on form alone, the decision is understandable.

Under Woodman, Bromley have achieved unprecedented success his five and a half year stewardship leading them to an FA Trophy, National League play-off final victory and League Two title last season.

With two years left on his contract, all signs pointed to him being given the chance to lead Bromley through their maiden season in League One but, with only two wins from their opening 10 games, now was seen as the time to be making a change, from both the club and crucially, Woodman himself.

Had this been a straight sacking, it could have been argued that Woodman was a victim of his own success, however the mutual nature of the termination shows that both sides felt that this was the right moment.

It has been an incredibly tough start to the season, compounded by an incredibly long injury list and a large turnover in the squad as mitigating factors, and some truly humbling losses including the 7-2 at Hillsborough and the 5-0 at Hayes Lane to Leyton Orient.

But this all feels sad and shocking in its abruptness, and leaves questions open as to where Bromley go next.

Life without Woodman will feel hard for fans to contemplate, but he will be remembered as the man who lifted them to these heights, and as someone "fundamental" to the club's recent success.