Non-League and Academy football writer

Jandir Da Cruz is a player who I have seen on a good number of occasions, from when he played his football for New Salamis, FC Romania, and now Cockfosters. A versatile player who now often plays in central defence, Jandir is a player with real quality, but he is also a leader on the pitch. He has made over 24 competitive appearances for Gavin Kelsey’s Cockfosters side so far this season (in all competitions), after joining the club from FC Romania last summer. The 36 year old has not only brought even more quality to this ambitious and talented step 5 club in the Premier Division of the Spartan Football League, but Jandir will also have brought so much experience to the squad. Having played in Portugal earlier on in his footballing journey, for clubs such as Amora, who he represented in the Taça de Portugal, and Luso, since playing non-League football in England, he has played at a very good level of non-League.

Having played for non-League clubs such as Enfield Town, Hendon, Harlow Town, and Arlesey Town, Jandir has in recent years played a lot of his football in the Premier Division of the Spartan Football League, after moving to FC Romania from Ilford. However, during his time at a very talented New Salamis side, where he played in the same team as other excellent players such as Derek Asamoah, Taufee Skandari, and George Lutaaya, it was at New Salamis that I first saw Jandir play. A commanding defender, when playing in central defence, who has real quality on the ball, Jandir is a tall and skilful defender, who reads the game impressively, and who is very decisive in his defending. A player who is also very strong in the air, he has scored a good number of goals in non-League football, as a result of set-pieces.

In a London Senior Cup match versus step 3 side Hanwell Town (from earlier on this season), Jandir showed real quality with his defensive positioning, decision making, and organisation of the defence, for his side. I have always been very impressed with how calm and composed Jandir is, especially under pressure, and I personally think that if Cockfosters, a side who are having a really good season, were to reach the play-offs, then Jandir will I’m sure, be very important for them in the play-offs. With his experience of the game, and the quality that he has, the defender has a lot to be proud of for what he has achieved so far in his footballing journey.