MSFL preview: Division Four - The Jewish Chronicle

Four new clubs have joined the Maccabi League with Blizzard Storm and Jewventus promising big things.

Managed by Simon Linden, the former Essex Wanderers and UJIA midfield maestro, Blizzard Storm could be the team to beat. Set up by Seb Vandemolen and Nick Rubin, Linden will work with a group of players, most of whom were successful in the guise of Southend Jewish Youth Club. The manager said: “I’m very confident that we have a good squad of players capable of doing very well.”

Look out for “the fantastic talents” of Dan Baum, Alex Speck and top class keeper Nick Rubin. Linden commented: “Matt Jaffa, Matt Dias, Alex Petrelis and Ben Graham can bring the essential experience the club will need.”

Jewventus’s goal is simple and ambitious. “We want to win the league,” said manager Nick Bick. With a proven track record, Bick warned his rivals to watch for James Moore and Louis Taylor.

The cultured left foot of Daniel Blass will complement the vision of Gabriel John, the team’s set-piece expert. Skipper Oliver Weingarten will keep the team on its toes with the tough tackling Scot sure to lead by example.

Every successful team needs a strong defence, and in Adam Diamant and Warren Shenk, Jewventus have just that. Opposition wingers will not fancy coming up against left-back Jon Galloway either. He has been described as “the Stuart Pearce of the team”.

The future is bright at Pinner JFC. Constantly raising the bar in the junior leagues, the team is looking for an improvement on their first season in the MSFL.

Alan Kleinman has taken over from club chairman Les Conway as manager. During pre-season, he has attracted some real strength in depth. There is undoubted belief that the team can make their mark in the forthcoming campaign.

Playing in all green, Athletic Bilbaum have set up in fortress Hampstead Heath. Josh Ejdelbaum said: “We’re a brand new team, with many new faces looking to branch into the 11-a-side game.

“We’re expecting a difficult start, but hopefully we can blossom in the spring and finish near the top of the tree at the end of the season. We’re aiming to bamboozle our opponents with our silky skills and solid core.”

David Tropp has signed a contract extension as manager of Real Life. He has broken the bank to announce former North West Neasden C keeper Dave Grabiner as his major new

signing. Tropp said: “We voted him player of the season two seasons ago when NWNC pipped us to the title on the back of his two performances against us.

“He made a one-handed save which was the best save at this level some of us had seen. We are very pleased to have him on board.”

The inclusion of Grabiner frees up Kenny Markeson to play at centre back.

“It will be like a new signing at the back,” said Tropp.

“We are very optimistic for the season. We have a couple of players who we signed who will now start the season
with us and are a season on from the merger of Real MAL and Life FC. Any non-familiarity has now gone and we are definitely one team with a very good team spirit.

“We expect to compete for promotion and are setting ourselves to go up as champions. A lot of us have been together for some time and really have a great understanding.”

Redbridge Jewish Care C could be the surprise package. With an influx of players over the summer, manager Michael Winehouse promised big things from striker Ben Norris who grabbed scored both goals in their friendly win over Athletico Bilbaum. Dean Silver is also looking to take the division by storm.

Glenthorne United B, Hendon United D, Highgate & Muswell Hill JYC, Team JLGB and UJS Norstar B complete the
division.