After a couple of months of doom and gloom and number crunching, Maccabi football is back.
Although Team Maccabi GB failed to retain the gold in the Open football competition at the European Maccabi Games in Berlin, there is still a great buzz around the place as clubs bolster their squads in pursuit of glory. The players who excelled in the futsal tournament will be keen to carry their momentum into the new campaign.
Age old battles will be reignited, respective wars of words will be renewed and, dare I say, new rivalries will be formed in the name of Jewish football. It promises to be another dramatic season full of twists and turns.
The race for the Premier Division looks set to be one of the tightest in recent years, with Harmen and Oakwood having strengthened significantly in a bid to close the gap on North London Raiders and Hendon United Sports. Harmen have made a real statement of intent in securing the signings of Johnny Haik and Alex Taylor from Faithfold for whom it could be a long season.
Oakwood have stayed true to their northern roots, with Kyle Bentwood and Sam Cantor two players that will really excite their fans. And when you throw Dave Woolman, Brad Wine, Adam Levine, Guy Helman and Simon Davies into the mix you have a really strong group of players.
It will also be interesting to see how Maccabi London Lions A shape up under the tutelage of new coach Mikele Leigertwood.
FC Team A are also capable of springing a surprise or two and I also expect a strong challenge from a Redbridge Jewish Care A team featuring Ben, Sam and Nathan Sollosi.
I expect FC Team B to maintain their winning formula in Division One, with free-scoring goalkeeper David Grossman looking for another reason to celebrate following his recent wedding. Raiders B and Brady Maccabi pose their biggest threats to a second consecutive league title.
It’s great to see Scrabble FC, one of my former clubs, returning to the fold. Josh Bentley was spotted in the famous club colours at a recent friendly and with Adam Solomons coming out of retirement, albeit with a dodgy hamstring, they look set for a strong season.
MY TIPS
Premier: NL Raiders A
Division One: FC Team B
Division Two: Maccabi London Lions B
DAVID WOLFF'S TIPS
Premier: Hendon
Division One: Real Sosobad
Division Two: Scrabble
