November was a month to remember for Redbridge JC’s marauding left-back Ryan Cole.
Adopting an old-school, no-nonsense approach in the manner of Stuart Pearce and Julian Dicks, Cole has been a revelation since joining the east Londoners. He has given Jon Jacobs’ squad another dimension.
Rarely does a week go by without Jacobs nominating young Ryan. He scored stunning free-kicks in the recent matches against Woodford Wanderers and Camden Park, and his manager is his biggest fan.
"Ryan has been outstanding all season,” said Jacobs. “There isn’t a better left back in the league.”
The top player in Division Two statistically is Israeli hot-shot Jordan Sharifian. Hailing from Lahavot Habashan in Hazafon, Sharifian is proving to be one of the finds of the summer.
You can find a detailed list of the respective player and managerial winners of my third monthly awards online.
* Catford & Bromley Maccabi manager Jeff Gotch is “thrilled” by the arrival of Jacob Richler Kleiman from Oakwood. Gotch said: “JRK is a proven goal-scorer at a higher level.”
Eyebrows were raised when Richler Kleiman left Oakwood by mutual consent but Jason Stein believes it was the best decision for both parties.
"JRK scored close to 50 goals during my time at Oakwood and we are grateful for his commitment as we are with every player,” said Stein.
"But things move on and we had reached a stage over the past few months where I was no longer able to offer JRK the guaranteed starting spot he wanted. I’ve no doubt he could have continued to be a helpful player for us this season. I am sure that in a more suitable environment he will score goals in the MGBSFL and I hope we come up against him one day soon.”
* Israeli tennis starlet Yshai Oliel has reached the top 20 of the ITF Junior World rankings for the first time. Oliel has registered 642.50 points from 36 events.
He produced a strong showing at the recent Yucatan Cup in Mexico, finishing runner-up in the Boys Singles and winning the doubles together with Andrew Fenty.
* Once again there are sadly no Jewish athletes on the BBC’s shortlist for their Sports Personality of the Year award. But there certainly will be at the forthcoming Maccabi GB Sports Awards, where the leading Jewish individual stars and teams will be rewarded for their efforts on the field of play from January to December this year.
There is a plethora of categories, including the Sam Bulka Award looking to acknowledge the achievements of Great Britain’s delegation at the JCC Maccabi Games, as well as the Susan Halter Elite Athlete Award. There is also a prize for the top Jewish Sporting School, sponsored by the JC.
Former winners of the main category including footballer Dean Furman and futsal star Russell Goldstein. Only those nominated by the public will be in contention to win. Online nominations close on December 13. Further details can be found at maccabigb.org/sportsawards.
* The MGBSFL have decided to discontinue their end-of-season awards evening in view of the lack of support from clubs in recent years.
Chairman David Wolff has announced the league will make alternative arrangements to distribute the accolades. Further details are awaited.
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