With the start of the new Maccabi GB Southern Football League (MGBSFL) just over two weeks away, we begin our countdown to the big kick-off with a look at those sides who will be contesting Division Two.

There are four new clubs entering the league this season, 40 Year Wanderers, Beitar Bushey, HMH B, Lads On Torah and a returning Club De Chigwell, after a year’s absence from the division. 40 Year Wanderers have set their sights high.

Manager Sam Anderson says “As a new club, we’re hungry for success in our first season. We have high expectations for the team this year, with promotion to Division One our main objective.”

Saying how preparation has been promising, with several training sessions going well, Anderson claims the squad “is blessed with natural footballing talent”, citing winger Zak Singer as a fantastic dribbler, who beats defenders at ease and has a potent right foot, while right-back Cody Roth spent pre-season in the US and is eager to take the Maccabi GB Southern Football League by storm.

Leading the club both on the pitch and off it is striker and club chairman Callan Stepsky, who will be playing an integral role in determining the club’s fate in their inaugural season.

As to their target and what they can bring to the league, Stepsky says: “The drive for success within the squad is unquestionable, with promotion and a deep cup run being our ultimate targets.

"We’ll bring so much to the league. With a club full of great friends and an exciting brand of football, it’s inevitable this team will keep neutrals and our growing fanbase entertained throughout the campaign.”

Silverware is definitely the objective for Brady Football Club’s manager Ricky Ansher. “Our target for the season is to win the league, and retain our David Wolff Division Two Cup,” he says.

“We’d also like to push on in the County Cup as last season we definitely felt it was winnable. Solid performances in the Cyril Anekstein Cup and Peter Morrison Trophy would also be nice extras, especially after tough draws last season.”

Saying how confidence is high, big-name signings include Jordan Nathan and Jake Aspis, though he says “every signing is more than capable of stepping up in the big moments too”.

Looking forward to the campaign, he adds: “We’ve set our goals, but have to be realistic with injuries and availability. We have a great group of lads who want to provide good football and goals.”

Redbridge Jewish Care White are another side who harbour title aspirations. Manager Brandon Levene says: “Our aim is very clear — to win the league title, nothing else is acceptable for us.

"We haven’t had the strongest showing in the league over the last couple of seasons, but we showed what we can do in the second half of last season, beating the top two teams in the division and higher division teams in the cup. We made it to a cup final last season, but fell at the final hurdle, this season we are aiming to go all the way in the cup too.”

Highlighting Harry Goldsmith as being their biggest summer signing, he says: “Harry will add significant quality and leadership into our midfield. We’ve also made signings in other areas to bolster the rest of the squad with quality and I think we now have a very well rounded and balanced group.”

He says they have picked fixtures against higher division opposition during pre-season as they ‘really want to test themselves’, adding: “For us a good season means silverware while playing attacking, fluid football, with a successful cup run following closely behind.

"With the squad we now have, we’re confident that we will be one of the most exciting teams in the division to watch and can’t wait to get going.”

Also hoping to mount a title challenge is Club de Chigwell. Manager Josh Dobias saying: “We don’t have star names, but are a unified team.

“We have a couple of old faces returning and some new signings including a couple of brothers who are known to the league.”

Promising to deliver entertainment, something different and loads of goals, he adds: “A league win and a cup will be a successful season, we can’t wait to get started!”

Camden City manager Joe Levi isn’t predicting what his side can achieve this season, saying: “We have a very light squad, so won’t be putting too much pressure on any targets. I’d like to see us improve through the year and it would be nice to have a cup run.”

With a few friendlies set up to welcome in a lot of new faces, Zac Cowan has been pinpointed as their potential star. Levi says his team will bring a strong work rate to the division, and as to what would constitute a successful season, he adds: “Playing good football, giving 100 per cent commitment and to be organised defensively. A cup run would be nice and everyone is looking forward to the kick-off.”

Someone else who also isn’t raising expectations is Hampstead Ducks’ coach Jacob Summerfield.

He says: “After a disappointing season last year, we’re looking forward to carrying the good form we had at the end of the campaign and want to really crack on.

"We want to build a strong core of the team, bring in people that complement our group and play nice football.”

He adds: “I think we can realistically expect a title push. We loved our cup run last year and to replicate it would be amazing”.

Millbrook Park Calcio complete the line-up.