The TikTok Non-League Legend Who is Scoring EFL Goals For Fun

The TikTok Non-League Legend Who is Scoring EFL Goals For Fun

Michael Cheek is aging like a fine wine. At 34 years old, the former non-League talisman has just come off the back of an League Two Golden Boot winning season in his debutant campaign in the Football League, and now could well be in the hat for a second.

With Bromley Football Club’s rising success, Cheek has already netted seven goals to kickstart the new term, which puts the striker second in the fourth tier’s top scorer charts.

But why is nobody taking a punt on him? Despite approaching his mid-thirties and not having any prior experience in any league greater than League Two, Cheek doesn’t look to be slowing down his shooting prowess.

📈 Most goals scored in 2025 (top 4 tiers):

20⚽️: 💥MICHAEL CHEEK💥
19⚽️: Erling Haaland
18⚽️: Lorent Tolaj
17⚽️: Charlie Kelman, Davis Keillor-Dunn#BromleyFC @bromleyfc @michaelcheek5 pic.twitter.com/OzRH6h6xFR

— playmakerstats (@playmaker_EN) October 20, 2025

An Impeccable Non-League Reputation

It took the 34-year-old 16 years of hard work and dedication in the non-League system before stepping foot in the Football League. Amongst this extensive yet animated journey, Cheek wore the shirts of nine clubs - commencing from the 15th tier of English Football all the way up the National League.

He began his journey with both Marks Tey in the 15th tier and Stanway Rovers, where he reprised two spells with the latter. After scoring 34 goals in all competitions for the Rovers, Cheek earned a move to Heybridge Swifts at Step 4 of non-League.

The striker then went on to net 13 goals in 20 games in the Division One North, narrowly missing out on promotion. However, he instead made a huge jump to the National League South to play for locals Chelmsford City.

He would then spend two exciting years with Chelmsford, where he registered 27 goals in 59 games and even competed in the FA Cup. Consequently, Cheek earned yet another non-League step upwards - this time to the pinnacle of non-League.

Michael Cheek and Jaanai Gordon were on target when we secured victory at the Kufflink Stadium in 2015! ✅#ClaretsTogether pic.twitter.com/2AcejyJf4Y

— Chelmsford City FC (@OfficialClarets) August 19, 2025

Braintree Town secured the marksman’s signature, as they enjoyed two years of Cheek’s charm. He bagged 42 goals in 97 games for the Iron, before having stints with both Dagenham & Redbridge and Ebbsfleet United at the same level.

After scoring more goals, the striker adjoined Bromley’s rise up the leagues, signing in 2019 and still residing at the Greater London club today.

Amongst the five seasons in the National League Cheek spent with Bromley, he scored 103 goals in 235 games and helped the club achieve its first ever promotion to the Football League, becoming a club hero.

League Two Golden Boot Glory

Michael Cheek’s goalscoring output is exponential. It seems that every time he progresses up a division, he tends to score more goals.

Last season epitomised that theory, as he lit up League Two upon his arrival. The striker managed to net 25 goals in the fourth tier - three more than what he achieved the year prior in the step below.

During this milestone campaign, Bromley finished 11th which was a spectacular achievement - especially considering they were just four points adrift of a playoff place.

Not only did Cheek finish six goals ahead of the second-top scorer, but he also recorded seven league assists along the way and won the League Two Player of the Season award. This took his goal contribution tally up to 32 for the season, making it easily his best campaign to date.

Michael Cheek is the PFA League Two Players' Player of the Year. 🏆@bromleyfc 🤝#PFAawards pic.twitter.com/dLg5kutAro

— PFA (@PFA) August 19, 2025

What a Start!

The Golden Boot winning season doesn’t look to be a fluke. Michael Cheek has already got off to a flying start this term, as he stands as the league’s second top scorer.

He’s managed to grab seven goals already, with two assists to accompany his tally. This has intertwined with Bromley’s push for the playoffs again; the club sit 13th in the table and while that doesn’t sound tremendous, they are just four points off fifth in an extremely competitive league.

Only four points split seventh with first, and just three points separate fifth from 12th. Bromley started the season superbly, as they went unbeaten in their first seven games. However, defeats to Cambridge, Swindon and Oldham lately have pushed them down the table.

Despite their recent poor form, Cheek has still been firing. He has netted a goal in each of his last three games and continues to be the Ravens’ Mr Reliable.