FIVE new teams have joined the fold in Division Three, but REAL SOSOBAD look like the team to beat, and manager Daniel Shafron will be disappointed with anything less than the title.
Having secured a sponsorship deal with Fitness Focus UK, the east Londoners are confident their “strong team ethic” will help them secure the championship.
"Squads wins trophies," said Shafron who has appointed Joe Grant as team captain.
After an improved showing last season, BOCA JEWNIORS go into the campaign full of confidence with new boss Gabriel John bringing experience and a winning mentality to the club.
"We hope to give a strong account of ourselves in all matches,” said John who has added Josh Marlow, Dale Bradman and Jack Goldsmith to the squad. The void left by top-scorer Dovi Fehler was softened with the return of Jamie Weinrich following a spell at Raiders.
Rob Shooman has tipped his FAITHFOLD B team "impress" following relegation. "All my players are capable of winning a game," he said.
Holding on to goal-poacher Dan Gordon came as a much-needed boost.
Viv Emanuel believes a “great pre-season” will benefit LONDON ROVERS.
"We expect to challenge for the league as most of the players have been together for a year,” he said.
Former Dynamo Hendon manager Jeremy Brown takes charge after a five-year absence. Workhorse Aron Luftig and midfield powerhouse Josh Bharier are the “ones to watch” in a team captained by Adam Kaye.
Emanuel has pinpointed Faithfold B and Sosobad as Rovers’s biggest threats. “Sosobad intrigue me. I’m curious to see if they live up to the hype, although league chairman David Woolf normally gets it right.”
But Brown is backing his boys to “mount a title challenge".
SHACHARIT DONETSK are among the youngest teams in the league this season, with an average age of 17.
Manager Elliot Nussbaum predicts "big things" from Maccabiah starlet Adam Ellis. Skipper Gavriel Nussbaum will be looking to lead by example in a side where “team spirit should be exemplary".
Having finished with the wooden spoon last season, TEMPLE FORTUNE are seeking an all-round improvement and a pre-season victory over Boca has certainly boosted morale.
Chairman Nigel Kyte believes “accomplished midfielder” Anthony Shaw is one of watch from a plethora of new faces and he hopes Zach Rich and Laurence Swerner will forge a “powerful partnership in attack”.
Adam Glekin is hopeful of HENDON UNITED SPORTS CLUB B recording a top five finish.
Midfield dynamo Avi Mocton "has been magnificent in pre-season" while the acquisition of Benji Silverblatt and Gideon Barth will provide some much-needed firepower.
KING CROWN boss Jacob Kadoch has set his sights high ahead of the team’s second season in the league.
"We're aiming for the title, playing great football," he said. "We've had a great pre-season and everyone is getting fit for the opener."
James Lewis has identified Jason Goldstein and David Cohen as potential match-winners as KS REUNITED prepare for their first season in the league.
"We are a brand new team and therefore we are not getting ahead of ourselves,” said Lewis. "We have some great players so we hope that we can push some of the other stronger teams for the top few places in the league.
Zack Gordon captains a team that "will bring an entertaining brand of football to the league".
Maccabi London Lions Green complete the line-up.
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