Rivals gear up to de-throne quadruple winners HMH A

He is refusing to name any potential stars, claiming it would be like “asking who a favourite child is”. But he is confident of another positive campaign. “Success will be another strong year for the club, both for the men’s first XI and all our youth teams. We try and set a positive example to any new teams forming in Jewish football. We’re here to win, but in the right way,” he said.
HMH’s nearest challengers last season were Hendon United, whose player-manager Alex Rosenthal is determined to finish one place higher up the table this time around. He said: “It’s quite simple, we need to win the title. Missing out on the title last season on goal difference was harsh and we’ll need to channel that pain.”

Last season's historic quadruple winners - and reigning Premier Division champions - HMH A are looking to once more be amongst the trophies this season. Photo by Georgia Rosenberg[Missing Credit]

Having enjoyed a strong pre-season, he said they had “built fitness, team spirit and added some fresh faces ready to mount a serious challenge”. Akiva Restan and the returning Gav Lewis, Avi Korman, Rocky Spitzer and Alex Randall would be integral to any success they had, he added.
Last year’s Division One champions Yallatasary have set their sights high and are looking to claim back-to-back titles. Manager Buddy Smith said: “We were invincible last year, winning every single league game, and we had good cup wins against the likes of Hendon and Stoke Salmon. The Premier Division is, in my opinion, the hardest we’ve seen in many years with not a single weak side in the division. Nevertheless, we’re confident we will be up there and absolutely have our sights set on the title.

“We’ve had a really strong and consistent pre-season, playing seven games. The bulk of the squad are fit and match-ready and I think we’re very quietly confident in what we can do this season.”

It’s been a busy summer at the club with numerous additions and outgoings, with Yallatasary retaining the likes of Freddie Land, Sammy Garcia and Dylan Richards. Smith is clear what would constitute a successful season. He said: “There are numerous things. I want to see my boys prove that we have learnt lessons from last season, the losses and very low moments should have struck a nerve and I want to see a reaction from those tough moments.

“Last year far too often our heads dropped after going 1-0 down, this season we’re going to be facing a lot of fantastic talented squads, which means this can very easily happen, but I want my boys to react maturely and stay trusting in themselves and their teammates that we can recover the result.”

Redbridge Jewish Care manager Brandon Levine said he had one objective this season – to make the club great again.

He said: “We’re excited to be back in the top division for the first time in many years. We aren’t here to just take part, but to compete for the title and all the cups, and to show we belong at the top level.”

He believes the club’s new signings will make a “huge difference”, adding: “We’ve gained a reputation over the last few seasons as the most physical and aggressive team across all three divisions. With the new players in the side this season, I want us to combine this while also playing some beautiful football.”

Premier League new team Stopinsky also have high hopes. Their manager Jacob Brand said: “Even though we’re a new team, we back ourselves against any opposition on our day and are hoping for a top-half finish.”

Brand sees skipper Joe Bregman as a player who can make a big impact. He said: “He’s a proper goalscorer and all-round great footballer.” He is also pinning his hopes on Jake Shooter, describing him as “a brilliant centre half and a leader at the back”.

He added: “We don’t want to constantly hoof the ball from the back, we want to play football.”
Athletico Bears, Geez Park Rangers and Stoke Salmon complete the line-up.