He’s back: Ex-Portsmouth disappointment returns to the Football League to create history

The attacker’s time at Pompey was a huge disappointment – now he’s back in the Football League. And it promises to be a history-making season as Louis Dennis attempts to inspire a Bromley side who have finally graduated from the non-league game. Now aged 31, the out-of-contract winger has signed a new deal with the Ravens after helping them beat Solihull Moors in the National League play-off final in May. It represents the first time they will compete in the Football League, while extending the stay of a player now enjoying his second spell with Bromley, totalling more than 250 appearances.

He departed Pompey in May 2018 with 47 goals in 157 games, becoming the club’s second signing of the summer after Ronan Curtis from Derry. He arrived on a free transfer and was later joined by Craig MacGillivray, Tom Naylor, and Lee Brown at Fratton Park amid a hectic summer of recruitment at the League One club under Kenny Jackett.

Dennis, on the other hand, appeared only once in the league during the next 15 months and battled for first-team participation, despite several supporters demanding for his inclusion.

Louis Dennis had an unsuccessful time at Pompey, but has now returned to the Football League. Picture: Joe Pepler

His only League One appearance occurred against Oxford United in January 2019, when he came off the bench to cross for Brett Pitman to score in a 2-1 loss.

Louis Dennis (@LDennis10_) / X

Dennis was restricted to cup appearances, though he did score in a 2-0 Checkatrade Trophy victory over Southend in January 2019.

Jackett named Dennis as his preferred number ten for the next season during the 2019 preseason, and the striker went on to score twice in an 11-0 friendly win over Irish club UCD.

However, the following month, in August 2019, he was moved to Leyton Orient for an undisclosed fee after only eight games and one goal for Pompey. Dennis spent two seasons at the League Two team, scoring five goals in 49 games, before returning to Bromley on a free transfer in August 2021.

He made 250 appearances for the club last season, appearing 31 times as they won the National League play-off final, including starting at Wembley.

Dennis has now signed on for his eighth full season with the Ravens, who will begin their Football League season on August 10 against Harrogate Town.

Be the first to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.


*