Linden flexes his muscles as the Blizzard boys go for broke
of back-to-back titles.
The Division Two champions have kept the core of their side intact, with David Grossman, Josh Green and Lewis Blitz coming in. Strikers Jake Gilbert and Jacob Gold have joined from Athletic Bilbaum and Hendon respectively, giving L’Orange “some serious firepower”.
Adelman believes that “despite Blizzard splashing some serious transfer cash, none of the teams look weak so the gap between the promotion places and the bottom two may well come down to a matter of a few points and fine margins”.
LOS BLANCOS have capitalised on Hendon B folding, with Martin Smulovitch, Motty Korman, Danny Steel, Alon BlitzandChaimGothold welcomed to the squad
Ben Ellis will lead Blizzard’s attack
Simon Linden has left no stone unturned in pursuit of glory, with 10 new players joining his squad ahead of BLIZZARD STORM’S first season in the division.
Linden received strong backing from his board, with Ben Ellis and Oli Henry coming in from the Premier Division.
“Brad Cohen will also play a big part in the new-look team,” said Linden. Centre half ConorBrandhascaughttheeyeduring pre-season. “He has massive potential and we look forward to the return of Andre Greyson following two years out through injury.”
The departure of goalkeeper Oli Simons and top-scorer Dan Simons means squad depth will be tested. “It’s going to be a tough division with a lot of sides capable of pushing for promotion,” said Linden. The first couple of months will be crucial.”
Jonathan Adelman has bolstered defence, midfield and attack as NORSTAR LONDON RAIDERS B go in search by new manager Jon Ison. They have entered the Peter Morrison Trophy for the first time, with Jo Davis the “one to watch” for a team aiming for a top four finish.
Ison compared the departure of leading scorer Jono Gaon to that of Luis Suarez at Liverpool. “I don’t think he can be replaced by one player,” he said.
“But the aim is for the whole squad to bestrongertomakeupforit.Iamexpecting more goals to be shared round the team, and a tighter defence.”
Big things are expected from Adam Waters, James Joseph and Adam Hersh.
It’s all change at REDBRIDGE B with Jon Jacobs’s plans decimated by university call-ups for the bulk of last year’s Division Two runners-up.
The “organisational skills” of stalwart Amir Nathan will be crucial, as will the presence of star midfielder Sam Rank who turned down an offer from new boys KS Reunited.
“We have promised him football and training for six days a week, plus a free tub of ice cream from the local Rossi’s,” commented Jacobs. Goalkeeper Brad Grant is another key player.
“This season is all about consolidation so as long as we are still in Division One next season, all is good,” said Jacobs.
“We have a long-term plan for the Premier League which will only be unleashed when the boys are back from University.”
Ricky Lawrence and Michael Rhodes lead the challenge of SPEC FC who are “looking to be a lot more competitive in the league and challenging at the right end of the table”.
Brothers Brad Fox and Ryan Fox have bolsteredthesquadfollowingthedeparture of Nick Berman and Brad Cohen in a team where Elliot Wallis and James Lesner are the “ones to watch”.
Replacing leading marksman Jake Gilbert was one of the first tasks Julius Judah and Nick Shinder needed to address after taking charge at BILBAUM.
But confidence remains high after a promotion as the aim is “to become a household name of the league, providing attractive, yet direct and dynamic football”.
Eli Lew has been appointed captain for a season which marks the fifth anniversary of club mascot Baum Baum the Elephant.
Josh Dagul has added three names to the BRADY MACCABI squad, with the return of attacking midfielder James Joseph coming as a “major boost”.
Dagulgoesintotheseasoninbuoyant mood after also bringing in “explosive” goal-scorerMattFrohlichandtop,young goalkeeper Sam Singer have also come in.DaveNewmanandSamFrohlichhave moved on.
A return to fitness for Michael Beaber has “set tongues wagging among fans, who are excited to see him pull on a red shirt once again”.
Marauding full-back Ben Hildebrand remains an “exciting attacking outlet and a reliable defender, and is always worth keeping an eye on”.
Brixton Old Boys and CamdenPark complete the division.
WEEKENDFIXTURES:
Athletic Bilbaum vs Los Blancos Blizzard Storm vs Camden Park SPEC FC vs Brady Maccabi
Joel Alterman is predicting big thingsfrom HARMEN after a busy summer where they overhauled the squad ahead of life back in the top-flight.
In a major signal of intent, they have drafted in some top quality in the shape of James Gershfield, George Fierstone, Bradley Dryer, Bradley Sharp, David Ronson, Joey Lazare, Josh Brooks, Marc Foster, Ollie Craig, Jake Gottleib and Rob Blackman. Marc Lazare has also joined but faces a spell on the sidelines having been injured in a horror tackle in his first appearance in Harmen colours.
Alterman is part of a four-pronged management team that also contains Joseph Marsh, Oliver Leslie, Samuel Castle. He said: “We did not take the option of promotion without serious consideration of what we could do with our squad this year.
“Our new personnel left us in little doubt that the Premier was the place for us to be. I’m confident if we can get everyone playing the way we have been in our pre-season games, there is no reason why we can’t be towards the top of the table come the end of the season.”
OAKWOOD A were one of the most