All systems go for kick off on Sunday
SUNDAY SEES the big kick-off to the 2021/22 Maccabi GB Southern Football League as 32 teams across three divisions get set to do contest the fight for titles, cups and avoid relegation.
Division Two has the potential to be the most exciting of all the Divisions bearing in mind it features 12 new teams.
Club Atlético Boca Chillers manager Sammy Huberman is making the boldest of all statements by claiming his team “aren’t here to take part but here to take over!” He says: “Our ambitions are big, not only are we looking for an opening season promotion but to do so in keeping with our clubs ethos of ‘Stoke-style’ football. You won’t fancy coming down to Bushey Met on a wet Sunday morning! We will fight for every trophy available and hopefully make this a debut season to remember.”
Similar expectations are those of Hapoel Hampstead chairman Jake Russell. He says: “We’ll strive to win on all fronts with a group of players who haven’t played together before. Contesting promotion or silverware will constitute a positive start for the club and we look forward to leaving our mark on the MGBSFL in a positive way.”
Also hoping to push for the title is Millbrook Park Calicio. Chairman Dominic Levene says: “Myself and manager Dean Cramer have been working hard over the last year to build this team. We’re really excited for our first season and believe we can have a really good push for the title.”
Gabriel Spalter has high hopes for Real Madreidel. He says: “We have big aspirations. We’re a young, loud and hungry group of boys who are looking to make a stance in our first season. Our main goals are to win a cup and also claim the league but we appreciate the talent in the league and know that we have battle on our hands against a good amount of teams.
Camden City’s Joe Levi says he can’t wait for the season: “With 12 new teams, we’re not sure what to expect or what a successful season looks like. However, we’re hoping to do well and will be aiming for promotion!”
London Athletico boss Michael Phillips says: “We’re aiming for league promotion and a good cup run. We’re hungry for silverware and are eager to show this league what we’re made of.”
Of a similar sentiment is Oakwood Town boss Mickey Cohen, who says: “We’re very much looking forward to getting the season started. The league is totally unknown, but our aim is to finish in the top four and go on a cup run.”
Temple Fortune B will be embarking on their fifth spell in the League, managed by Jacob Kalms.
With slightly lesser expectations is Qarabagel. Ollie Reback says: “We plan on winning over one football match and providing a consistently entertaining stream of social media content.”
Brady Football Club, Geez Park Rangers and Redbridge Jewish Care White complete the line-up.
Having won promotion last season, Hampstead Ducks are promising to “ruffle some feathers” in Division One this year. Manager Avi Goldberg says: “We’ve have had a busy summer securing excellent signings to bolster an already competitive squad and are looking to challenge on all fronts!”
Hoping to push for promotion is Brook Farm Rovers. Their manager Dan Cohen says: “Two consecutive fifth places in Division One were fantastic achievements, but now we’re looking to make the next step. If we can crack that top three and have a little cup run too it will be one hell of a season.”
Under the leadership of Michael Goldberg, Temple Fortune A will be looking for stability, with the club entering its 46th consecutive MGBSFL campaign. Borussia Jewdinese, Faithfold Green, FC East London Bees, Mill Hill Dons, NWL Azzuri, Redbridge Jewish Care Purple, Scrabble, Stoke Salmon and Straw Hat Pirates are the other sides in the division.
Oakwood may have ended up Premier League champions last season, but it was Hendon United Sports who denied them a league and cup treble. Their boss David Garbacz believes they’ll be thereabouts come May, saying: “Our main aspiration for this year is to challenge strongly for the title again as well as going all out for the cups. We’ve strengthened in terms of personnel and are raring to go.”
It’s a virtual new look for last season’s joint-runners-up Maccabi London. Manager Laurence Judah says: “A number of the players have graduated to the first team, but captained by Jordan Nathan, our objectives are to finish as high up the league as possible, get to a cup final, and provide more players to the first team.”
Club De Chigwell, Faithfold White, HMH, London Bears and North London Raiders complete the line-up.
You won’t fancy Bushey Met on a wet Sunday