Bromley FC - Non-League Day 2024

This feature is part of a series of articles about seven of Athletic Club's past English opponents that are currently playing Non-League football. These clubs not only played a pivotal role in Athletic's early years, but also in helping football become a global sport.

Founded in 1892, and based in Greater London’s largest borough, Bromley FC played Athletic Club twice in May 1913.

The Englishmen’s arrival was much heralded with several local papers publishing previews detailing “El Gran” Bromley’s trophy cabinet and star players.

For the first clash, Bromley lined up like this: F.H. Wood, A. Kennard, S.F. Saines, W. French, G. Harland, P. Smith, G. Bowler, H. Noall, C. Landrey, G.H Douglas and H. Mayhew.

Five of these players formed part of the side which won the 1911 Amateur FA Cup, and George Douglas, a guest from Ilford, signed for Leicester Fosse (now Leicester City) the day after the touring party returned to England.

The Ravens lived up to expectations in the first clash, thrashing Athletic 5-1 at Jolaseta on Sunday, May 11. Bromley overran the Lions and were 3-0 up by half-time, Landrey scored the first two while Douglas got the third.

Douglas netted Bromley’s fourth after half-time. Athletic never gave up and kept looking to score. Pichichi, described as Athletic’s “crack player” in English post-match reports, made it 1-4. Bowler got the final goal of the game.

The two sides met again the following day. This was Bromley’s XI: F.H. Wood, T. Mockford, S.F Saines. W. French, A. Kennard, P. Smith, G. Bowler, H. Noall, C. Landrey, G.H Douglas and H. Mayhew.

Marked by a “torrential rain that didn’t stop all afternoon”, it was a more even encounter. Both teams had plenty of chances in what was an exciting game, but in the end Douglas decided the match with a goal in the second half.

One of the best teams to have played Athletic at that time, reports labeled Bromley as “colossal” and “true maestros of football”.

Meanwhile, the post-journey columns in London said the tour was an “unqualified success” and noted how the Bromley players were “treated royally” by Athletic.

Raymond Cazeaux

Athletic Club and Bromley FC share a special link in the form of Raymond Cazeaux. The London-born forward netted the second goal in our first ever Copa triumph – a 2-1 win over FC Barcelona – and repeated the feat a year later, scoring Athletic’s opener in the 55th minute as we came from 0-2 down to beat Real Madrid 3-2.

In 1903/04, Cazeaux signed for Bromley FC and became their top scorer that season with 15 goals in 19 competitive matches. He continued to turn out sporadically for the Ravens - exclusively in friendlies - until 1907, before dedicating himself to his family and international trade company.

On 19 April 1913, The Bromley and West Kent Telegraph reported that Bromley FC’s invitation to play Athletic in Bilbao had been “received via the agency of Mr R.J. Cazeaux”.

Curiously, Cazeaux’s final appearance for Athletic came just 10 days before Bromley’s visit. The forward happened to be in the city and “at the request of numerous fans, he promised to play” in Athletic’s friendly against Belgian champions Union Saint Gilloise on 1 May 1913. Los Leones won 2-0 and Cazeaux even provided the assist for Pichichi’s opener.

Modern Day

Bromley might not be non-league for too much longer. The Ravens are currently third in the Vanarama National League – the top division before the fully professional leagues – and have 70 points after 39 fixtures. In the National League, teams that finish second and third go straight to the play-off semi-finals, where they face the quarter-final winners (sides that finish fourth to seventh).

The Greater London club play at the 5,000 capacity Hayes Lane and will face York City in their Non-League Day fixture on March 23 at 15:00 GMT, with an adult ticket costing £20.

Flag exchange and retro jersey raffle

As part of Athletic Club’s collaborations with our historical opponents, we have sent each of the seven clubs in this series an Athletic flag to hang at their ground and a retro jersey to raffle off among their fans.

In return, each club has donated a flag to Los Leones. These colours will be on show at different grounds throughout Euskal Non-League Day and then given to the AC Museum.

Euskal Non-League Day

Drawing inspiration from the UK version, Athletic has organised Euskal Non-League Day with the aim of celebrating grassroots football in the Basque Country and recognising the important role our affiliated clubs play in their respective communities in addition to producing players for Athletic.

Coinciding with the Non-League day in the UK, on the weekend on March 23-24, 86 of our partner clubs will be participating in this second edition of Euskal Non-League Day.

Historical English opponents

Our features on the seven English teams are being published in chronological order based on the date of their first match against Athletic.

(Click to read)
Monday 18th: Civil Service FC, United Hospitals
Tuesday 19th: Eastbourne Town FC
Wednesday 20th: Merton FC
Thursday 21st: Bromley FC
Friday 22nd: Dulwich Hamlet, Corinthian-Casuals FC

These are the details of the sides’ Non-League Day fixtures. If you’re an Athleticzale in England over the weekend of March 23-24, we encourage you to attend one of these matches.

Civil Service FC vs Old Carthusians. March 23, 13:00 GMT. King’s House Sports Ground
Eastbourne Town vs Shoreham. March 23, 15:00 GMT. The Saffrons
Merton FC vs Winchmore Hill. March 23, 14:00 GMT. Joseph Hood Recreation Ground
Bromley FC vs York City. March 23, 15:00 GMT. Hayes Lane
Bognor Regis Town vs Dulwich Hamlet. March 23, 15:00 GMT. Nyewood Lane
Corinthian-Casuals vs Badshot Lea. March 23, 15:00 GMT. King George’s Field