VMy recent conversation with Glenn Hoddle got me thinking … what about an Anglo-Jewry football commission whose brief is to identify a player who can make it in the Premier League. Now there’s an idea. Who’s in?
Following criticism that the new FA taskforce lacks a figure from the black community, I’d like to point out that there isn’t one from the Jewish community either. No need to start a broiges over that, is there lads?
But the more I think about a Jewish commission, the more excited I get. There are some really strong candidates. I believe it would be wise to bring together some leading agents, former players and brains from inside and outside Maccabi football.
Starting with the players – you can find out all about the exploits of Mark Lazarus, Barry Silkman and Dean Furman at the excellent Four Four Jew exhibition at the Jewish Museum in Camden. Their first-hand knowledge and experiences of what you need to make it on the pitch would be essential.
There’s also figures such as Jon Bolle and Adam Lee, both former managers of Wingate & Finchley, who could offer some wise words, along with Blues chairman Aron Sharpe and former Wimbledon and Dagenham & Redbridge star Sam Sloma.
London Lions defender Michael Sacks was in the same Manchester United youth team as Ryan Shawcross, Jonny Evans, Darren Gibson, Frazer Campbell and Danny Simpson. He also trained regularly with the likes of Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Gary Neville, Nicky Butt and even Cristiano Ronaldo. It’d definitely be worth picking his brains.
Silkman has also fared well off the pitch since turning his hand to agency work, while Phil Smith, Jonathan Barnett, Pini Zahavi, David Menasseh, Peter Lazard and Alex Levack could be adopted in an advisory (commission-free) capacity to find out what qualities they look for in a player.
Hoddle also talked about "teachers rather than coaches" to help improve the technical side of young players. Michael Stone has been there, seen it and done it, while I’ve had rave reviews about Scott Shulton, who works at the QPR academy, Wingate coach Darren Yarlett, Andy Zeller and Adam Fegan, who wins gold medals for fun at the Maccabiah. There’s plenty of knowledge that can bounced off between them.
Former London Lions boss Tony Gold is an automatic choice. No doubt his phone has not stopped ringing since he left Rowley Lane and I know he’s still keen to continue to push Jewish footballers to play the highest level they can.
Darryl Lee, Jonny Davis and Ian Tussie would be my picks from the north. Tussie would certainly liven up meetings. Have you seen his quotes on my weekend preview?
It’s essential that some of the leading visionaries from the MGBSFL, such as Phil Peters, Mitch Young, Rob Richman, Richard Slater, Jonathan Adelman and Jon Jacobs, are consulted too.
So I’ve put it out there. A penny for your thoughts gents …
* The country has been rejoicing in England’s qualification for next year’s World Cup finals in Brazil and five members of MJSL Executive Committee witnessed it first hand, as guests of the FA following their Respect Silver Award won last season. The group enjoyed some great hospitality but we can only hope they didn’t bump into Roy Keane’s prawn sandwich brigade!
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