Football Manager expert, 23, makes critics eat their words as non-league minnows are promoted to EFL for first time

FOOTBALL MANAGER expert Nathan Owolabi has helped Bromley win promotion to the EFL for the first time in their history.

The Ravens beat Solihull Moors in a Wembley penalty shoot-out to win the National League play-offs on Sunday.

Nathan Owolabi joined Bromley in February

And they had help in their promotion campaign from an unlikely source – football manager enthusiast Owolabi.

The 23-year-old was appointed Support Performance Tactician in February as part of Bromley’s partnership with Xbox and video game Football Manager.

And he has been part of the first-team set-up ever since, learning from the coaching staff and manager Andy Woodman.

Bromley have also documented his time at the club through YouTube series ‘The Everyday Tactician’.

When advertising the job at the end of last year, club officials announced they were looking for “a talented Football Manager gamer to test their skills in the real world”.

Woodman was quick to insist that it wasn’t a “gimmick” and instead revealed he thought it was a “brilliant” idea.

After winning the competition, Owolabi said: “The interview process was a good experience and it was a lot more comfortable than I expected which allowed me to give the best impression of myself.

“This is a great opportunity for me and to be working at a club looking to get into the football league is invaluable to me.

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“I can’t wait to get started and begin this exciting adventure.”

Owolabi will now have the opportunity to put his skills to the test in the EFL next season, with Bromley achieving promotion alongside Chesterfield.