FORMER Bromsgrove Sporting boss Keith Draper believes the Rouslers will finally escape the clutches of Midland League Division One this year.
After three consecutive runners-up spots, Sporting seem well on their way to securing promotion to the Midland Premier Division as they remain unbeaten after 23 games and sit four points clear of second placed Atherstone Town, six clear of Leicester Road and eight clear of Hinckley AFC.
And with just 17 games left of the campaign, Draper, who managed Sporting from 2011 to 2013, told the Standard the club fully deserve to go up as invincible champions.
“Over the last few seasons, Brocton, Highgate United and Coventry United all deserved to go up and I think this year is finally the year Bromsgrove get out of the division,” said the Studley boss.
“There are so many great people at the club, Smudge [boss Paul Smith] has done a fantastic job and the fans are tremendous so they deserve to go up.
“With the fact Bromsgrove do not play their title rivals towards the end of the season, I believe they will have the job done with five games to spare.
“I also believe they will go the whole season unbeaten, that’s no disrespect to the rest of the sides in this league but Bromsgrove are going to be hard to beat.
“When you look at the likes of Leicester, Atherstone and Hinckley you know they have the capability to go up but Bromsgrove have got a bit more class about them this year and that’s what will send them up.”
Draper also has his ticket for Sporting’s historic FA Vase quarter-final clash against Buckland Athletic on Sunday and after doing some research on the Toolstation Western League outfit, he believes Smith’s men can go on to reach the semi-finals.
“It’s going to be tough for sure as Buckland have got five players who have scored more than 12 times each this season,” he added.
“But I think Bromsgrove are more than capable of winning and then they will hope to draw Coleshill Town or [Sporting] Khalsa in the next round.
“Win lose or draw, Bromsgrove cannot look at this game to define their season.
“Sporting are a sleeping giant and they are very close to my heart – I will be cheering them on and look forward to the electric atmosphere.”
