By, Danny Caro
3 min read
ByDanny Caro, Danny Caro
Dan Howard paid tribute to his Faithfold teammates after he was crowned JC MSFL Player of the Season.
The 30-year-old centre half was the stand-out performer for a Faithfold team that completed a memorable double.
Howard played a starring role as Faithfold became the first Jewish team to win the London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup which was followed by claiming the Premier Division title.
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CLICK FOR PHOTOS FROM THE AWARDS
DANNY CARO'S PREMIER DIVISION TEAM OF THE SEASON
DANNY CARO'S DIVISION ONE TEAM OF THE SEASON
DANNY CARO'S DIVISION TWO TEAM OF THE SEASON
DANNY CARO'S DIVISION THREE TEAM OF THE SEASON
DANNY CARO'S YOUNG MSFL TEAM OF THE SEASON & MORE
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"I feel very happy as this award has been voted for by my peers,” said Howard.
"It's a big achievement and I’m proud of the boys for what has been an excellent season."
Howard was a key part of a Faithfold defence that conceded just 14 goals in 18 games in the league.
He said: "At times, when we were under pressure, we were still in games as we didn’t concede. That’s why we won the title.
"We worked together and there was a real team ethic. The amount of effort put in was reflected by what we won this season."
Howard offered words of praise for two other teammates. “Our captain, Alex Levack, has been there, seen it and done it in Jewish football.
"He has lots of experience, is a very calming influence and it’s a really good centre back partnership.
"Ben Law is definitely one of the best goalkeeper in the league. He’s a great shot-stopper.”
Asked what made him stand out from the rest, he said: "I believe that as you get older you read the game better. My favourite player is Vincent Kompany, but I see myself as more of a Michael Dawson type of figure."
Reflecting on the team’s success, Faithfold assistant-manager Daryl Phillips said: "It's great to win the league again. It’s been eight years since the last one and, other than two players from that era, we have a whole new crop of young players that we have recruited and helped us to achieve this.
"By also winning the LFA Cup it shows how good we really can be on our day. When a good winning team gets older it's very hard to find new young blood and get back to competing at the top.
"Most teams fold at this stage or slump down the divisions. It has not been a quick process but Zuriel Solomon, Ben Lewis, Alex Levack and myself have spent the last few years trying to recruit new players to keep Faithfold
A amongst the best teams in Jewish football.”
Phillips finished as the team’s top-scorer. He said: "We have had a few transitional years in between but have collectively managed to keep the club going and eventually been rewarded.
"We have a great young team, with me being the most experienced player, but as I said to the boys over a drink after the awards night, the hardest thing is to keep it going and to win the league again next year, when everyone wants to beat the league champions."
There was double delight for the club after Zuriel Solomon collected the Manager of the Year accolade.
He said: "I am very happy to have won my award. It is a great feeling and great to have my name etched on the trophy."
There was also joy for Brady Maccabi A's Jordan Nathan who won the Young Player of the Year award.
The 18-year-old defender told JC Sport: "This is a great moment. I did my best every match and it's great to be recognised by my fellow players."
Zuriel Solomon won the Manager of the Year accolade after steering Faithfold A to the double.
Athletic Bilbaum Simon Roth saw off the challenge of some top-quality rivals to win the Safe Hands award.
There were two winners in the Referees category, with Warwick Blake claiming the top prize for the third time in four years, while Neil Cooper was named Best Newcomer.
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JC MSFL AWARDS SEASON 2012/13 ROLL OF HONOUR
PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Dan Howard (Faithfold A)
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YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Jordan Nathan (Brady Maccabi A)
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MANAGER OF THE YEAR:
Zuriel Solomon (Faithfold A)
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GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR
Simon Roth (Athletic Bilbaum)
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SUSAN LION MEMORIAL TROPHY (Top-Scorer/Golden Boot)
1. Jamie Kent (Shirley Park) - 35 goals
2. Reiss Mogilner (Brady Maccabi B) - 33 goals
3. Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill) - 32 goals
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DIVISIONAL AWARDS
DIVISION ONE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jamie Kent (Shirley Park)
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DIVISION TWO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Reiss Mogilner (Brady Maccabi B)
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DIVISION THREE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Ben Zloof (AC Mill Hill)
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SPORTSMANSHIP/TURNOUT AWARD
Los Blancos
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TEAM SECRETARY OF THE YEAR
Josh Cohen (Los Blancos)
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REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Warwick Blake
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NEWCOMER REFEREE OF THE YEAR
Neil Cooper
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London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup winners: - Faithfold A
Peter Morrison Trophy winners: Brady Maccabi A, Runners-up - South Manchester Sports Club 1st
JC Cyril Anekstein Cup winners: - London Maccabi Lions A, Runners-up - Redbridge Jewish Care A
JC MSFL
Premier Division champions: Faithfold A, Runners-up - Hendon United Sports Club A
Division One: Camden Park, Runners-up - London Maccabi Lions B
Division Two champions: Brady Maccabi B, Runners-up - Los Blancos
Division Three promoted: Oakwood B, Runners-up - FC Team C
