Bromley captain Byron Webster said life has been “really crazy” since his side won promotion to the English Football League for the first time in their 132-year history.
Webster smiled at Solihull Moors goalkeeper Nick Hayes before scoring the decisive kick in a penalty shootout, a moment which instantly went viral on social media, to secure Bromley’s place in the fourth tier.
Speaking to BBC Radio London, the defender said the publicity afterwards was something he had “never experienced at other clubs before” despite the 37-year-old having won at Wembley twice prior to the National League play-off final in May.
Webster added that Bromley “deserve to be in the EFL” and that they are “here to do a job”.
“It was crazy, really, really crazy,” he said.
“Maybe because I was captain and took the winning penalty there was a lot of publicity, questions and interviews, but it just blew up.
“I was invited to make speeches at different places, and even Rio Ferdinand sent me a message; which was great because I’m a [Manchester] United fan.”
Despite Webster receiving many of the headlines and plaudits, he was desperate to acknowledge the rest of his team.
“I was part of a team, and so it wasn’t meant to be all eyes on me.
“People forget that Granty [Grant Smith] saved two penalties, and that Cheeky [Michael Cheek] scored two in the game.”
Bromley currently sit tenth in League Two, having won two of their opening four matches, including an opening victory away to Harrogate Town.
Webster insisted people should take him and his team-mates seriously.
“Bromley are in the football league but we’re not nuggets, because we know how to play football and deserve to be there,” he said.
“We’re not a cartoon character team where we don’t deserve to be there because we do.
“We’ve taken all the accolades, and been the butt of people’s jokes, but now we’re here to do a job.”