Cole: I'll rid the reps of fear factor

Jamie Cole has vowed to take the fear factor out of Jewish football after being appointed manager of the JC MSFL Rep team.

Filling the void left by former boss Jonathan Kestenbaum, the North West Neasden joint-manager hopes to become only the second man to lead the Maccabi League to victory in the London Inter-League Cup.

“I believe that I am able to breed confidence and although respecting the opposition, I have never feared them. Often, that has been a problem with Rep sides in the past, and Jewish football in general. There are many talented players in the Jewish football leagues. They often tend to fear the opposition and pay them too much respect. That is one thing that I have always tried to avoid with my sides and is something I intend to make a feature of this current team.

Cole, 30, has won all the major honours in Jewish football as a manager including the Peter Morrison Trophy, JC MSFL Premier Division, with two different clubs, JC Cyril Anekstein Cup and the Manchester Jewish Soccer League.

“I feel that the team will respect me as my record as a manager is one that breeds respect and confidence. These components are vital weapons that will bring success.

“This is similar to a Rep side which would be filled with wonderful individuals and it is merely a question of making them work as one. I feel that my man management skills and youthful style and exuberance rubs off on my teams.

“I will pick the best players no matter who they play for. How often have we all read the Rep Team side is made up of all of the usual suspects and it is all politics and they only look at Premier Division sides and the team is only picked based on who they are. People will not be able to make such accusations about this side.

“My team will be made up of the best players and it doesn’t matter which division they are playing in. There will be no favourites in my side.”

Assistant-manager Andy Myers, the ex-Wingate & Finchley captain, and coach Darren Yarlett complete Cole’s management team.