London Lions have pulled off a real coup this week in announcing that Adam Lee, Jewish football's leading managerial light of the past decade, has been tempted back into the game with them.
After almost 10 years at Ryman/Southern League clubs Wingate and Finchley and more latterly Potters Bar Town, during which time he also managed Team GB at The Maccabiah, Lee decided to take a break from the intensity of running a club at this level when he stood down in the autumn. But with batteries fully recharged, the opportunity to take on a more varied role at the Rowley Lane club was just too good turn down.
A clearly delighted Lions chairman David Pollock was quick to heap praise on their new appointment. He said: "To get Adam to commit to our vision of London Lions is a massive boost, not just for the committee but also for the players at the club who will learn so much from him. He brings not just a wealth of experience, but also a level of professionalism that is sure to rub off. It's no secret that this has been a tricky year on-field for the men's section of the club following the loss of some of our senior players and management at the end of last year. But the transition is progressing, and the addition of Adam is another enormous plus."
Lee's eventual role is yet to be defined, but short-term he's taking in an overview of the club and working in particular with Director of Football and current incumbent of the 1st team manager's hotseat Andy Landesberg. As well as working with Andy during the week and at training, Lee will be assisting the Spartan League Reserve Side on matchdays, enabling him to see and nurture the crop of 16-20-year-old's most likely to be able to make the step up.
Lee said: "Everyone knows the huge potential at Lions and no-one more so than me having been involved as a player, manager and father over the years. With 30 teams that now allow you to play at the one club from age 7 to 57, the chance to help shape the next generation of footballers was too good to turn down.
"The facilities for both playing and training are the envy of most, and with planning permission now granted for floodlights and a stand for the top pitch, these really should be exciting times.
"I'm really looking forward to the challenge of helping putting things in place so we are ready to kick-off pre-season in the best possible shape, with a team of dedicated managers and coaches plus a set of committed squads who want to achieve their maximum. If you've something to offer I want to hear from you as I'm really excited about working with Andy and to getting involved on a strategic level, rather than running just a single specific team!"
There is no doubting the passion, knowledge and commitment of the man - his appointment surely a huge step in the right direction for Lions. If Lee's track record is anything to go by then success is almost assured - and he's determined to take the best along for the ride.
To compliment this great news off the pitch, there was positive news on the playing side emanating from the Rowley Lane outfit this morning with word that Landesberg has secured the loan signing from Wingate of one of last year's starring Lions player in the form of Josh Kennet.
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