NEW club, new boots, sometimes even a new partner – on or off the pitch. Strikers often put subtle changes down to a good early-season scoring return.
But Bromley have something else to thank for the form that has seen them make a superb start to life in the National League: their star forward changing his name!
Moses Emmanuel is the artist formerly known as Moses Ademola, a regular on the Non-League circuit with the likes of Woking, Dover, Welling United and Eastleigh.
But he came back a new man in the summer, not particularly fitter than ever before and certainly not married – the 26-year-old was the one working on his new signature.
Emmanuel hit his 12th goal of the season as Mark Goldberg’s side saw off Chester 3-0 on Saturday to record their sixth win in a row.
And the devout Christian believes that he’s getting help from up high.
Emmanuel said: “I had a name change during the summer. I’ve been wanting to take my mum’s name for quite a while now. Ademola is my dad’s name – I’ve not got married and been forced to be a modern man!
Faith
“People have caught onto it really quickly. I think a few people thought that Bromley had signed a new player, but there wasn’t any chance of going under the radar for too long.
“I’m pleased that I’ve changed my name; I thought with us being at the top level of Non-League it was the perfect time to do it.
“I’m religious, my faith is important to me and Emmanuel means ‘God with us’ – and he certainly is so far!”
Emmanuel’s goalscoring record is even more improbable considering he spent most of August playing out wide.
Moved up top, he is now leading the scoring charts as Conference South champions Bromley suddenly start looking towards the Football League.
“I have managed to take my chance up front and I feel better for it,” he adds. “I like to get in the box and score.
“I played the back end of last season and at the beginning of this season on the wing, but I’ve finally got my opportunity up front and I’d like to think I am taking it. It’s always been my position.”
On the club’s impressive start to the season, Emmanuel said: “It was about getting used to the level and seeing games through.
“We’ve had experiences already this season that have taught us a lot, like FC Halifax away where we were 2-0 up into added time and threw it away. We’ve learnt quickly to see out games properly, and straight away that has taken us to this point.”
