Voice of Jewish Sport: Liron lands top award to cap off dream season

HE CAME, he saw, he conquered. Liron Mannie capped off a dream season on Monday night by being named MGBSFL Player of the Year. Having joined North London Raiders A last summer, he helped them to the Premier Division title and Cyril Anekstein Cup, scoring in the final of the latter, to become one of the stars of the team. Humbled and a little bit surprised at picking up the accolade in front of his peers, all good things must though come to an end. Announcing he won’t be playing for the side next season, he has though promised to come back, especially when the Raiders come up against Hendon. Paying tribute to the management duo of Rob Richman and Jonathan Green, he also hailed the squad’s team spirit as key factors in their success. And whether with him or not, he’s confident the side will once again be the team to beat next season.

DAYS AFTER the Palestinian Football Association withdrew their bid to vote on Israel being banned from FIFA – though set up a committee to look at Israel’s ‘wrongdoings in the poor treatment of Palestinian footballers’ – a football match, dedicated to ‘Kidnappers and Killers’ took place in Gaza. The game took place before the Palestine Cup Final between Shujaeiya and Rafah, with a flyer advertising the match as being between the kidnappers of Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin – both of whom were killed in ‘Protective Edge’ but whose bodies continue to be held by Hamas. With the Palestinian FA seemingly allowing – or at least in the knowledge that – this match took place before their showpiece event – perhaps this is something for the new FIFA president to look into, and then put their membership to a vote at the next Congress?

SUNDAY MORNING sees the last football match of the Jewish season being played. Both Raiders and Chigwell Masters will contest the final of the MMFL/MFL Invitational Cup and having seen both side’s semi-finals, it promises to be a fascinating clash. If you fancy seeing them stutt their stuff, Kingsbury FC at 10am is the place to be.