Nigel Kyte believes the feel-good-factor has returned to TEMPLE FORTUNE following the appointment of manager Simon Linden.
Linden has overhauled the Fortune squad and they go into their MGBSFL Division Two opener at Mill Hill Dons with high hopes.
Club chairman Kyte said: “We’ve endured three difficult seasons where we were forced to field relatively weakened teams.
With Simon now on board, we have strengthened considerably and for the first time in a while we’re optimistic that we’ll hold our own.”
L'EQUIPE go into their 10th season full of ambition. “It is a true testament to the founding fathers of this club that we have managed to stick together and keep going,” says player-manager Nick Stern.
With seven new faces boosting the squad, Stern warned: “This is the year we can really challenge for silverware.”
Brothers Josh and Alex Hershman, Mark Korn, Max Martin and Matt Gilbery will add quality, while big things are expected from Elliot Cantor and Australian star Ben Lazar.
CATFORD & BROMLEY MACCABI recorded some impressive results against the top teams under Jeff Gotch last season and the manager has challenged his players to be consistent this year.
"It’s the title or nothing” for Gotch who is confident that new boys Joel Lassman, Lawrence Bloom, Jason Shoffman, Richard Winton and Craig Edwards will make their mark.
Josh Hambling will spearhead the challenge of the newly-formed REDBRIDGE JEWISH CARE C . He said: “I think we can push for the league, though it’s hard to say with so many new teams."
Youth will play a big part in Hambling’s plans, with the Zartz brothers “impressing” in pre-season, along with the evergreen Barry Green.
RC UK FC appear title contenders, with boss Avi Markiewicz “bringing a lot of talent and experience to the division” from a club featuring several former players from London Rovers.
Jake Lewis captains the team in which Dudi Edreyi, Gideon Caller and Jonti Aremband are the “ones to watch”.
Chaim Gothold is targeting a top five finish for REAL HENDON . Having finished fourth last season, Gothold believes they are in for a sterner test, “with several young, new teams joining the league”. “We know it’s going to be tough, but that’s our goal,” he said.
HERTSWOOD VALE will be looking to the experienced Vivian Emanuel to ensure they build on solid foundations.
Emanuel has been working closely with managers Jacob Emanuel and Jack Shulman to ensure they are “competitive in a division where a number of teams have been playing together for a long time”.
He said: “We are going to work hard and are looking at a top four finish, asserting ourselves this season and building upon that from here.” Joshua Wood has been appointed team captain.
Elio Elia and Josh Gorb are the “ones to watch” in a team packed with “focus, vision and energy”.
David Domb is “delighted” to have Sam Rose in the dug-out, operating as co-manager of NORTH LONDON RAIDERS C , after Zack Gothelf was promoted to B-team duties.
Rose spent time as the number two at Oakhill Lions in the MJSL and Domb is “delighted to have him at the club”.
"Promotion is the priority,” according to Domb, and the arrival of Joel Levitt, Matthew Geppart and Alex Faktor could turn them into an irresistible force.
Brandon Hamme, manager of new boys MILL HILL DONS , is quietly confident of a good showing in the MGBSFL.
Promising to bring a “Barcelona-esque style of play to the league” the arrival of goal machine Jono Gaon is one that will certainly excited their supporters.
Some familiar faces return to the fold with several members of the former Tottenham Chutzpah looking to make the backpages of The JC.
Boca Jewniors, Faithfold B and FC Team C complete the division.
WEEK ONE FIXTURES
Mill Hill Dons vs Temple Fortune
North London Raiders C vs L’Equipe
RC UK FC vs Real Hendon
Hertswood Vale vs Faithfold B
