A last-ditch rescue package, led by Jonathan Abrams, saw NWN B adopt something of a Scouse flavour, with the team rebranded as London Haroldeans. Some big signings mean big things are predicted.
Can you confirm if you're a new team or existing one that has changed name? We have taken over from last year's NW Neasden B team. The team was about to drop out of the league after Adam Levene, last year's manager, decided to join a rival team over the summer break
Faced with the prospect of no Sunday league football this season, at the 11th hour, I called David Woolf and convinced him to keep our place open if I could gather a dozen or so team-mates to put a team together
Within a few days, I had verbal commitments from 25, some of whom were ex-NW Neasden and others are old friends (and three of my brothers and I) from Liverpool
As there is a strong Scouse connection and heavy sense of nostalgia, we decided to rebrand the team as London Haroldeans FC - as a throwback to the Liverpool Haroldeans team, an MJSL institution, which many of our current team turned out for in days gone by.
Which competitions have you entered this season? MSFL Division Two, Peter Morrison Trophy and Cyril Anekstein Cup
New signings? Many of the team are new to the fold. Ones to watch are Bobby Abrams and Paul Harris, veteran striker Oliver Joseph, centre backs Jamie Isenwater and Ali Marks
Which of the signings excites you most? If both are fit, Bobby Abrams and Paul Harris as a formidable attacking partnership. James Abrams as the flared midfielder, but our strength is in defence, where we have experience of Jamie Isenwater, Ali Marks and Ben Kfir and a solid goalie in Darren Witcoop, who has impressed in pre-season friendlies
Have any players left? Many of the NW Neasden team have left. Disappointingly, we no longer have Adam Levene, last year's player of the season
What are your hopes for the season? I'm cautiously optimistic about it. We've got a strong squad, who will grow as the season progresses. With a good blend of youth and experience, promotion is not beyond us
Which team do you consider your strongest challengers? Probably Oakwood. We know a lot of their players, especially the Scousers, many of whom are our ex-Haroldeans teammates and King David schoolmates. So I am sure that will be something of a grudge match!
Captain: Alistair Marks. James Abrams is club captain
Sponsors: We are very grateful to our teammates Richard Specter and Steven Pollack and their respective companies for sponsoring London Haroldeans FC:
- ELS Legal LLP
- Buchanan Bond Real Estate Ltd.
Home ground: White City Tiger Turf at Burlington Danes Academy
What will your team bring to the league this season? Our aims in bringing the team together are competition, pride exercise and bringing old friends together on a regular basis. Without this team, those of us who lead busy lives would never get to see each other!
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