Lipman the star turn for Lions
FOOTBALL AUSTIN Lipman has been named London Lions player of the year.
The former Arsenal and England youth player helped the Lions to a league and cup treble in a season to remember.
Lipman has made a big impact since arriving to Rowley Lane at the start of last season.
He was commended for his “superb technical ability, eye for goal and attitude” which have taken the club to a “new level”, according to boss Andy Landesberg.
Lipman registered 32 goals in all competitions and was also praised for his “tremendous versatility and consistency”.
Striker James Gershfield collected the first team Players’ Player and Golden Boot accolades.
He broke the club’s goal-scoring record, with 46 goals, in a campaign cut short by a knee injury. Gershfield has now scored more than 100 goals for the Lions.
A product of the Lions youth academy, Adam Burchell retained the Young Player of the Year trophy.
The wing wizard excelled in the first team, destroying defences with his skill and pace on the wing.
Burchell also scored and assisted some vital goals, including a lastminute winner in the Cyril Anekstein Cup final for Lions A’s Sunday team.
He is the first player at Lions to win the award more than once.
David Myers lifted the Safe Hands award. The goalkeeper joined the
Lions last summer and his performance in the top of the table clash at Belstone was described as “arguably the best ever seen in a Lions goalkeeper’s jersey”.
Treble-winning boss Landesberg won the club’s Manager of the Year. A club spokesman said: “Andy took a beleaguered and struggling team from the South Midlands League and, within two seasons, turned them around into a young, talented and united squad of players. Under Landesberg the Lions won four trophies in the 12 months.”