Slough crowned champions as Devils despair

SLOUGH, UK – Slough ENL Jets celebrated this weekend, after title rivals Solent & Gosport Devils crashed 7-5 to Oxford, and therefore handed the ENL South Division 2 championship to the Berkshire side.
 
In a championship race that could not have been any closer, the ENL Jets and Devils finished equal on points however a better head to head record gave Slough the edge over their rivals from the South coast.

 
The key game that would ultimately seal the league took place in early March when the ENL Jets beat the Devils 5-1 thanks to a hat trick by young Stas Prokofiev. This gave the ENL Jets a 9-7 aggregate lead should the sides fail to be separated on points alone, as was the case in the end.
 
With such a small margin of difference between the two sides over the course of the season, it was harsh on the Devils to lose out; however Jets Captain Jamie McIlroy believes that his side deserved to take first place.
 
“Of course I’m going to be slightly biased, but I genuinely think that the best team won the league” explained the 29 year old Scot.
 
“Yes we had some slip ups and made some mistakes along the way but that was to be expected, especially considering this is our first year, it was bound to take time for the team to gel”  
 
“I think that we definitely gave a better account of ourselves towards the end of the season and had some big wins against both Basingstoke and Solent.   A lot of people wrote us off, but we just kept working hard, getting the results and hoped that Solent would slip up along the way”  
 
“It was a bit of a shame that we didn’t have a game on the weekend we won it, as it would have been good for us all to be together as a team. It was still a fantastic feeling though to win the league and we all certainly celebrated that night”
 
The ENL Jets certainly had the roster to challenge for honours this season. Formed by EPL Jets star Adam Greener in the summer, the ENL Jets became the stepping stone between the junior club and the EPL Jets competing in the English Premier League. With Greener coaching when available and the likes of Craig Moran and Tony Milton running the team on a day to day basis, the ENL Jets assembled a solid team.
 
The undoubted star of the show however was Slough’s wealthy owner Zoran Kozic, who opted to play for the side in a league arguably well below his calibre. This prompted debate from other clubs and fans across the league as to whether he should even be icing against players in ENL 2. Kozic ended the year with 54 goals and 71 assists in only 21 games but McIlroy insists that the former Haringey sniper has every right to ice where he wants.
 
“Obviously it’s a massive bonus having Zed on the team and you can’t argue with his stats” explained the 6’ 1” winger.
 
“He also brings a wealth of experience to the team from playing NCAA, Elite League and EPL.   I think he would be the first to admit that he’s past his peak and is now playing for fun, so why should he need to play at a higher level?”  
 
“He has played his part in getting us to ENL1, so he will be playing at a higher level next season anyway.   You find that the people who moan about him playing in our league are the ones who would love him to be on their team”  
 
“The only thing that’s bothered me is people saying we are a one man team, which couldn’t be further from the truth, we’ve got people like Stas Prokofiev, Jamie Milton and Matt Lawday who have put up good numbers too and every one of the guys (and girl) have played their part in us winning the league”
 
Indeed Prokofiev has played a starring role in the ENL Jets success this season. The former Lee Valley and Haringey forward has been on top form in front of net with 38 goals and 39 assists in his 22 games for the club. This good form has seen the Moscow born 22 year old drafted up to the EPL side on occasions to the delight of his Captain.
 
“Stas has got better and better as the season has gone on and his stats speak for themselves” said McIlroy.
 
“He has also popped up with some important goals this year, as the Solent game showed. He gave a good account himself when playing for the EPL Jets and definitely didn’t look out of place.   I would say that he’s capable of holding down a place in an EPL team in the future but hopefully we’re able to keep hold of him for a bit longer”
 
With Prokofiev and Kozic stealing the headlines with their goal scoring antics, it is easy to forget the relatively strong depth that the ENL Jets have within their ranks. Guys like David Print and Joe Webb have tasted success with Haringey in the play-offs before and players like Lee Hardy and Jamie Milton have been around the game long enough to make a big impact at this level.
 
“I definitely think that it has given us an advantage when we have been in tight games and we’ve had to dig deep to get a result” admitted McIlroy when asked about the depth within the ENL Jets squad.
 
“Having players in your team who know what it takes to win and who have been in those situations is always going to help.   The likes of Webby and Printy have definitely had a positive effect in the changing room and they are great to have in the team.   We have plenty of skill in the team but we’ve been tough when we’ve had to be and there have been a few fixtures when we’ve definitely had to up the physical side of our game”
 
In fact the league has strengthened as a result of the natural downwards filtering of players from ENL 1, that in turn improved from a similar scenario in the EPL. Aside from the quality individuals playing out of ‘The Hanger’ in Slough, McIlroy believes that there is a lot of talent spread across the thirteen sides.
 
“There are a couple of players who have definitely impressed me over the season” explained McIlroy.
 
“Daniel Giden from Wightlink Tigers and also Lewis Tribble from Gosport stand out, and are definitely players who could play at a higher level.   There are also the guys who always seem to put up decent numbers in this league like Jason Coles from Wightlink, Kristopher Abbott from Gosport, Kevin Lake from Invicta and Simon Beere from Basingstoke”
 
“Closer to home there are a few players on our team who I definitely think have the potential to go far. Danny Milton is a fantastic young keeper who shares our net minding duties and has also been back-up for the EPL Jets this season, including in the EPL Cup final”  
 
“Stuart Mogg is another player who has proved he has the ability to step up, despite only being a first year under 18.   He has also made an appearance for the Jets this season and managed to register an assist in his first game against Milton Keynes”
 
“It’s testament to the team and the way that Slough is set up, that even though we have been competing in ENL2 this season, that five of our players have been called upon to ice for the Jets in EPL fixtures.   I’m sure that this will continue and I can only see it benefiting the EPL Jets, ENL Jets and the Slough Junior Jets as a whole”
 
For McIlroy himself, leading his team to a league title is a culmination of a journey that started in his native Paisley with the town’s junior set-up, and ended in the home counties of England courtesy of a career in the Royal Air Force.
 
The former Scotland Junior international forward originally signed for Slough Harrier Hawks last season, but when that team dissolved midway through the season he was offered a lifeline by Streatham coach Barry Spours who signed him for the club’s ENL 2 side the Bruins for the remainder of the season.
 
Opting to return to Slough and captain the newly formed ENL Jets was a chance that McIlroy could not turn down and he combines his duties at Slough by also captaining the Royal Air Force hockey team.
 
Now he potentially has the chance to play in ENL 1 next season against the likes of Invicta Dynamos, Wightlink Raiders and Chelmsford Chieftains, however the Scot insists that all of the squad are relishing the thought of playing hockey at that level.
 
“It’s a massive thing for the team and something that everyone is excited about” admitted McIlroy.
 
“The sole aim in forming the team was to eventually win promotion to ENL1, it’s just a massive bonus that we managed to do it in our first season.   We are all aware of the difference in standard and the gap between ENL1 and ENL2, but I’m sure that by the time the new season comes we will have a team that will be more than capable of holding their own against any team in the league”
 
For now though the squad and their manager Martyn Green are celebrating and with a wealthy owner playing for the team, surely the squad are headed for Vegas or Atlantic City on Zoran’s account?
 
“I’ve not heard of any trips that he’s arranged but I’m sure he’s got something planned” laughed McIlroy.
 
“We’ve got our end of season party on the 15th of April which will be our first chance to all get together and celebrate winning the league properly.   I have heard that Zoran is picking up the drinks tab for the ENL boys all night so I’m already looking forward to that”
 
“Seriously though, it’s been brilliant to captain the team and lead them to winning the title.   It’s a fantastic team to be part of and I’m proud to have been able to play alongside all the guys this year”
 
“I have to also thank Martyn Green, who won’t be returning to the role of manager next year.   He has had to put up with no end of hassle, running about after us and generally keeping the team in order”  
 
“He has put a lot of hours work into managing our team for no money and little thanks at times.   I know that each and every one of the team value his hard work and he will be sorely missed next season”
 
“Our coaching team of Adam Greener, Craig Moran and Tony Milton all deserve the plaudits as does everyone who has helped us out on game nights and anyone who has come down to support us.   Hopefully we’ve made all of them proud this season and we can carry that on next year in what will definitely be a tough campaign”
 
So with the “thank you’s” all done and the season reflected upon, Slough ENL Jets fans and players can now enjoy a few weeks basking in glory before the hard work begins for the 2011/12 season. As last years promoted duo of Bristol Pitbulls and Swindon ENL Wildcats will testify, ENL 1 is no walk in the park.
 
Slough ENL Jets – ENL2 Champions
 
Evander Grinell, Chris Beauclerk, Tom Bradbury, Daniel Cox, Alec Field, Tom Green, Lee Hardy, Matt Jordan, Alice Lamb, Zoran Kozic, Matthew Lawday, James McIlroy, Daniel Milton, Jamie Milton, Stuart Mogg, Dave Print, Stas Prokofiev, Daniel Rose, Mark Saunders, Olly Shone, Sam Shone, Carl Thompson, Joe Webb, Joe Wigglesworth.
 
Contact the author: david.carr@prohockeynews.com