THERE are a few nonchalant steps back. He clears his nose. He shares a little smile with the goalkeeper and raises his eyebrows in acknowledgement of whatever was said. He glances to the referee, glances again as the whistle goes, takes four steps forward and side-foots the ball inside the right-hand post as the goalkeeper goes the other way.
Byron Webster was the coolest man at Wembley on Sunday afternoon. He carried the weight of 132 years of history as if it were a butterfly that had alighted on his shoulder.
Former Millwall centre-back Webster, 37, secured a first-ever promotion to the Football League for Bromley and his third personal success in the play-offs.
Bromley captain Webster even wore an EFL armband.
Andy Woodman’s Ravens defeated Solihull Moors 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw after extra-time in their National League play-off final.
Leeds-born Webster was on the Yeovil Town team that won the League One play-off final in 2013 and four years later he was part of the Lions side that won promotion to the Championship at Wembley.
Webster was asked after the game what goalkeeper Nick Hayes had said to him.
Webster explained: “He said to me, ‘I know where you’re going’.
“I thought, ‘That’s a lie because I don’t even know where I am going!’”
Bromley had led 1-0 at half-time after Michael Cheek opened the scoring four minutes before the break.
Joe Sbarra levelled three minutes into the second half but Cheek won and converted a penalty ten minutes later to edge Bromley back in front.
It took Solihull only seven minutes to equalise again through captain Jamey Osborne.
Bromley substitute Alex Kirk hit the woodwork twice as neither side could win it in 120 minutes.
Ravens goalkeeper Grant Smith gave his side an early advantage by saving Tyrese Shade’s effort before Cheek scored to make it 1-0.
Grant then pulled off his second stop to deny Joss Labadie but Hayes saved Ashley Charles’ shot and Tahvon Campbell made it 1-1.
Olufela Olomola and Soihull’s Nana Boateng traded successful efforts to leave it at 2-2 before Jude Arthurs and Jon Benton also both held their nerve to tee up Webster for his moment of history.
“I’ve been here a few times and no-one wants to speak to you when you lose,” Woodman said.
“We’ve got heart, we’re not the best team. We’re the hardest grafting team and the most honest team, we’ve got players who will fight for each other. That showed today.
“I was alright with the penalties because I’ve got the best goalkeeper in the league. I knew he’d save one, maybe two and take care of business.
“This has been an unhealthy obsession for me. It was about changing history at this football club and about making sure that, when we’re long gone, me, my team and my staff, we’ll be forever the people that got us in the Football League.”
