John Biddle: A tribute from Colin Head

His time in the dugout put the club on the straight and narrow, but it also has special significance for me. 

John Biddle was Bromley’s manager when I first started watching, and it was his team I fell in love with. During his tenure, the club got its sense of identity and belief back after some lean years. They reached the FA Cup First Round in 1976, won the Kent Senior Cup in 1977, and secured promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division in 1980. 

Bromley won that promotion at Hayes Lane against Finchley on Easter Monday, and it remains one of my fondest footballing memories. Dereck Brown and Junior Crooks scored the vital goals that day to seal second place for the Ravens. In retrospect, it capped a golden era under John’s leadership.

When he came to the club from Cray Wanderers in 1975, he brought a number of the squad with him from Oxford Road. They formed the spine of his formidable Bromley side and included players like captain Phil Emblen, striker Butch Dunn, winger Dave Waight, and the football genius that was Junior Crooks. I can still name the whole squad from the 1980 team photo without a single look at the names. Biddle's team were my team.        

When John left the club in 1981 to become manager of Dartford, once again, many of the team followed him to Watling Street. It was heartbreaking for young Bromley fans like me and my cousin Mike. That summer, when I bought a programme for a pre-season friendly between the two clubs, I recognised more names in Dartford’s squad list than in Bromley's. 

Despite my disappointment, I realise now that it was a sign of the regard players held him in that they would follow wherever he went.

John built a team spirit and culture around his squads that fans and players could buy into, and it felt great to be a part of. Managers come and go, but some leave a special legacy, and that was certainly the case with John Biddle.

Rest in peace, John, and thank you for the memories.