Richman & Green to lead Team GB at London Euros

Robert Richman and Jonathan Green have been appointed as joint-managers to oversee Team Maccabi GB’s open football squad at the European Maccabi Football Tournament (EMFT) in London in 2014.

Richman, currently vice-president of MGBSFL Premiership leaders, Norstar London Raiders, managed the club for seven years, steering the side from the then-MSFL third division to the Premiership, prior to their merger with Norstar Football Club. Richman also has experience of overseeing teams at major tournaments. He was joint-manager of Team Maccabi GB’s U16 futsal squad at the 2009 Maccabiah Games, where his side achieved a fourth place finish. He also spearheaded the Team Maccabi GB U14 football team at the 2010 and 2011 JCC Maccabi Games, winning gold on both occasions.

Jonathan Green is also no stranger to top level, Jewish football. Having won the MJSL with Leeds J-Uni, he then played in the MGBSFL for London Maccabi Lions and Brady Maccabi for the best part of seven years, winning the 2012 Peter Morrison Trophy with the latter, where he scored in the final. His domestic playing exploits saw him represent Team Maccabi GB at international level. He played futsal for GB at the European Maccabi Games in Vienna, winning silver, and was also a part of the Team Maccabi GB futsal team that entered into the FA National Futsal League. Recently, he managed the Team Maccabi GB U14 football team to Gold at the 2013 JCC Maccabi Games in Orange County, California.

Speaking about their appointment, Robert Richman said: “Jon and I were delighted to be asked to manage the Team Maccabi GB side for the up-coming EMFT. The fact it is on home soil makes it extra special and we have been tasked with the mission of regaining the trophy [that the side last won in 2010]. We have both experienced what the JCC Maccabi Games and the Maccabiah Games have to offer and we are very excited about having the opportunity to manage a national side again.”

When talking about their selection criteria, he added: “Our aim is to build a talented and close-knit squad full of players who star in the MGBSFL and MJSL week in, week out but who haven’t previously had the honour of representing British Jewry in an international tournament. We are hoping to pick a strong side who can match the excellent teams that our French and German counterparts will undoubtedly bring to London next summer. We would encourage any Jewish players from all levels of the MGBSFL, MJSL or beyond to apply.”

The EMFT will be held in London for only the second time and welcomes Open Football teams and Open & Masters Futsal teams to play against other European Maccabi Delegations. Initial trials for Team Maccabi GB will be held in January 2013.