Brian Bromley, born Burnley, England, March 20, 1946. An influential midfielder with a keen eye for goal, Brian Bromley developed a reputation for being a reliable and hardworking player across several clubs, including Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth, Brighton and Hove Albion, Reading and Wigan Athletic.
Hailing from Lancashire, Brian Bromley’s professional career started with Bolton Wanderers where he was given his First Division debut by manager Bill Ridding in a 3-2 victory against Sheffield United at Burnden Park on the 9th of March 1963. During his tenure at Bolton, he amassed 166 Football League appearances and scored 25 goals, a respectable tally for a midfield player. His contributions were not limited to goals, though, as his work rate and ability to read the game set him apart. As a result, he attracted attention from other clubs and he was eventually transferred to George Smith´s Portsmouth for an estimated fee of £25,000 in November 1968. His arrival on the South Coast was met with optimism and he quickly became a regular fixture in the midfield, significantly raising his profile. Over the course of his time with the Fratton Park club, he provided creativity and energy in the middle of the park and played in 95 League matches for Pompey, hitting three goals in the process. While his goal tally may have seemed modest, his presence on the pitch was invaluable in linking play between defence and attack and his experience added a layer of stability to Portsmouth’s midfield.
In the middle of the 1971-72 campaign, however, Bromley found himself on loan to Brighton and Hove Albion. His loan spell proved successful enough that the club decided to secure his services on a permanent basis, paying a £14,000transfer fee to bring him to Goldstone Ground. This decision would pay dividends for The Seagulls, as Bromley became part of the team that achieved promotion to the Second Division that same season. Despite a comparatively short stay, Bromley’s contributions during the promotion push helped cement his reputation as a dependable midfielder capable of rising to the occasion when called upon. Following 50 League outings for Brighton, he signed with Fourth Division Reading partly into the 1973-74 campaign, but his time with The Royals was not as fruitful as his previous stints and he only managed to make 14 appearances before he was shipped out on loan to fellow Division Four club Darlington. Nevertheless, Bromley’s journey did not end there as he moved on to Northern Premier League outfit Wigan Athletic and then Southern League Division One South side Waterlooville where he finished his playing days in 1978. Brian Bromley Playing Career: Bolton Wanderers, Portsmouth, Brighton and Hove Albion, Reading, Darlington, Wigan Athletic, Waterlooville.