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MANCHESTER MACCABI 1ST SPORTING MANCHESTER
FOOTBALL TONY Gellman likened Manchester Maccabi’s historic double to the shock success story of English football champions Leicester City.
Even though Manchester Maccabi’s title triumph might not rival Leicester’s on the Richter scale, Gellman believes it should send shockwaves through Jewish football.
Not since 1989 have Manchester Maccabi 1st won a top division. And after following up their County Cup triumph by holding off the challenge of AFC Flixton to lift the Accountants Premier League title, Gellman said: “This is massive for the club. We won the County Cup for the first time in our history this season and ended our 27-year wait for the championship.
“We have won the Eccles League and the Tameside League over the years but those were the lower divisions. To be top of the tree speaks volumes for the players.
“Some might say we’re not the best team in the league, but we have got over the line by sheer tenacity, organisation, character and team spirit.
“It’s very similar to Leicester City’s story when you look at it.”
M a c c a b i w e r e crowned champions after edging past Sporting Manchester 2-1. Oli Grant and Sam Hatton were the scorers at a tense final game at Brooklands.
Gellman paid tribute to Maccabi manager Scott McGarvey. He said: “Scott has got the team fit and organised. We train hard twice a week and that got us through the back-end of matches. While teams have faded, we have come on stronger.
“We have been so hard to score against. We rarely lose our discipline or shape in matches.There’sbeenquite a few narrow victories. “So it’s certainly not by luck that we sit here with the trophy. AFC Flixton are a top team, perhaps the best team, and it’s been neck and neck between us both all season. “To get over the line ahead of them is a fine achievement as they are a good side who didn’t want to give up their trophy lightly.” McGarvery believes the double is the start of something special for the club.
He said: “I think the team can only get better. You would hope we could dominate this division for years to come.
“We had just 21 players this year and we want them all back. The most important thing is that the squad stays together.”
AFC Flixton co-manager Stuart Delmonte praised Maccabi for their success.
He said: “Maccabi are worthy winners. To play six games in two weeks and do what they did is unbelievable.
“It’s a testament to their management team. They must have been superfit to get though all those games and to keep winning.”