Former Fort Lee High School Athlete Now Head Soccer Coach

Demba Mane, a member of the Fort Lee Public School District’s custodial staff, was among the fall sports coaches appointed by the school board this week, and he’s got some big shoes to fill as a first-year varsity head coach.

The Fort Lee Board of Education Monday appointed coaches for the 2012-2013 fall sports season at its regular business meeting, and one former Fort Lee High School student and current member of the school district’s custodial staff couldn’t have been happier. Demba Mane waited toward the back of the high school library, where the meeting took place, for the school board to get to the part of the meeting when members vote on resolutions. That’s because one, listed under “personnel” on the agenda, would make him the new head coach of the Fort Lee Bridgemen varsity soccer team if approved. The resolution passed, meaning Mane will take over for longtime head soccer coach Bob Ciccone, who stepped down last year after 23 years on the soccer …

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Tracy Mattei

8:34 pm on Friday, August 3, 2012

A happy artice! I love it! If attending BOE meetings is any indication that he is committed and cares about the district, he will be phenomenal! Good Luck, have fun and Go FORT LEE!!   more ›

Lionel Messi Leads Argentina Into New Jersey

The world's best futball player and his national squad hold open practice at the home of the New York Red Bulls ahead of Saturday match with Brazil.

Thousands of futball fans filed into Red Bull Arena in Harrison on Thursday night as the world's best player and his Argentinian national team prepped for a Saturday showdown with rival Brazil. Lionel Messi, the three-time defending FIFA player of the year, scored once on a header in the half-pitch intrasquad scrimmage as fans hung on his every move. Messi, who stars for Barcelona in the Spanish La Liga, did not disappoint, flashing the speed and power that have many in the sport heralding him as one of the best to ever play the game. He showed off the pinpoint accuracy of his feared left foot during a shooting drill that ended the practice session, beating the Argentina keeper on two shots that bent into the bottom right corner from about…

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State Wrap

Deptford Murder, State Revenue Shortfall Top NJ News

A weekly look at news in New Jersey

A family argument led to the murder of a Deptford man early Friday morning, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office. Chad Gatewood, 45, and his nephew, Elijah P. Gatewood-Gabriel, 20, allegedly got in a confrontation around midnight, when Gatewood stabbed Gatewood-Gabriel multiple times with a kitchen knife in the family's apartment, GCPO spokesman Bernie Weisenfeld said. Tax collections in New Jersey are running $230 million behind Gov. Chris Christie's projections after April revenue came up short, according to a state Treasury report released Tuesday. If the trend continues, Christie and lawmakers may have to revise their plans to cut taxes, or they may have to find other places to trim the budget. [Inquirer] Princeton …

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Former Fort Lee High School Student Has Coaching in His Blood, Future Plans

Demba Mane coaches for the love of the game(s).

Demba Mane loves coaching, and he plans on continuing his career in it for years to come. Mane, a former Fort Lee High School student, has been coaching since 2002; he currently coaches girls track and girls freshman basketball and is an assistant coach for the boys soccer team. But that's just part of the story. "My journey has been quite different from most of my coaching peers," Mane said. "I arrived in the U.S. a month before I started my freshman year with my diplomat parents, which was in 1991, from Guinea-Bissau." Guinea-Bissau is a small country on the western coast of Africa, Mane explained, and he said he arrived in Fort Lee speaking no English. "At Fort Lee High School I immediately reported for soccer and then went out for …

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Howard L. Pearl

10:23 am on Wednesday, December 7, 2011

My son has been a member of the Fort Lee Soccer Team for the past three years. Demba Mane has worked with him and other players in a professional manner and has been instrumental in the improvement of many of the Fort Lee players. He is a true gentleman in his dealings with the players and the parents. Too often, high schools look to the outside to replace a retiring coach. As our long term coach…   more ›

Bridgemen Head Soccer Coach Steps Down After 15 Years

Bob Ciccone said he felt it was time to end his remarkable coaching career, which included 23 years on the soccer coaching staff--15 of those as head coach.

Bob Ciccone has decided now is the time to leave his role as the head coach of the Fort Lee Bridgemen soccer team, and he went out on a very high note, becoming the winningest soccer coach in Fort Lee school history. Ciccone, whose overall soccer coaching record in Fort Lee was 161-97-15, was named Big North Coach of the Year this season, and his team won the Big North American Division title. It was a great way for Ciccone to end his coaching career, as he has given so much to the school on both the academic and coaching level. The Bridgemen soccer team was lucky enough to have Ciccone’s services for 23 years on the soccer staff, with 15 of those years being served as head coach. Ciccone is also in his 28th year of teaching in the Fort …

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Roundup: The Week in Sports and a Look Ahead

How was your week? This is how the week went for the Bridgemen and Lady Bridgemen high school sports teams.

Football Fort Lee fell to 2-7 Friday night after losing to Mahwah 55-20. Frankie Goris rushed for two touchdowns for the Bridgemen and Justin Parra scored for Fort Lee as well. “We played hard until the end despite the score,” said assistant coach Mike Raftery. “Great senior leaders.” The team will play a state consolation game to be be announced Monday. Boys Soccer The Bridgemen advanced in first round of the state tournament with a 3-0 win against Lyndhurst. Fumio Himeno scored two goals for the Bridgemen while Ron Locker scored a goal as well. Nikola Gogic, Ron Locker and Yu Yu Fahmy all had assists. Fort Lee goalkeeper Matt Hernandez had five saves on the day for the Bridgemen. The Bridgemen’s season came to an end on Sunday however …

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Roundup: The Week in Sports and a Look Ahead

How was your week? This is how the week went for the Bridgemen and Lady Bridgemen.

Football: Fort Lee fell to 2-6 on the season Friday night when they lost 28-7 at Dumont High School. Frankie Goris scored the only touchdown for the Bridgemen on a short run. “We made too many mistakes early,” said head coach Bill Straub. The team will take the field again on Friday, Nov. 4, when they visit Mahwah High School for a 6 p.m. start. Boys Soccer: The Bridgemen lost a close one on Tuesday, when they visited Cliffside Park and fell 2-1. Fort Lee’s record dropped to 9-4-1 on the season. Fumio Himeno scored Fort lee’s only goal with an assist from Ron Locker. Assistant coach Demba Mayne knew the importance of the game, but also knows that the team's goal is still in reach. “The defeat was a tough one for the Bridgemen, because we …

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Roundup: The Week in Sports and a Look Ahead

How was your week? This is how the week went for the Fort Lee Bridgemen and Lady Bridgemen high school sports teams.

Football The Bridgemen improved to 2-5 on the season Friday night, when they defeated Englewood during their last home game of the season. Fort Lee picked up the 19-0 win during the seniors’ last game at home. Frankie Goris had 12 carries and two touchdowns for the Bridgemen. Quarterback Mario Jacovino scored an 8-yard touchdown, Tyler Sanders had 13 tackles and Justin Parra chipped in with 6 tackles and 3 sacks. Head coach Bill Straub was very happy for his seniors on such a special night. “It was a great team win, and I am so happy for the seniors to get the win they deserve on senior night,” Straube said. The team returns to the field on Friday, when the Bridgemen travel to Dumont High School for 7 p.m. game. Boys Soccer Fort Lee …

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Fort Lee Soccer League's Peewee World Cup Tournament

Four teams of 5- and 6-year-olds represented England, Italy, Brazil and USA and competed for "The World Cup Sunday"

The Fort Lee Soccer held its “Peewee World Cup Tournament” Sunday at the field on Stillwell Ave. for the boys and girls in the league. The four teams comprised of players born between Aug. 1, 2005 and Aug. 1, 2006, represented the countries of England, Italy, Brazil and USA competed for the Cup. The players marched onto the field waving their country’s flags, and then played multiple round-robin matches to an ultimate final. “This event was a great success,” said Fort Lee Soccer League board member Rich Finizio. “All the players had a great time and received participation medals at the end.” Always a strong supporter of youth sports in the borough, Fort Lee Mayor Mark Sokolich addressed the fans, and Fort Lee Councilman Michael Sargenti …

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Roundup: The Week in Sports and a Look Ahead

How was your week? This is how the week went for the Bridgemen and Lady Bridgemen.

Football: The Bridgemen fell to 1-5 on Friday when they lost at Ramsey High School by a score of 35-0. Ramsey improved to 5-1 with the win. Fort Lee head coach Bill Straub hopes the team can learn from games like this. “We hope to use some of these tough losses to get better for the rest of the season,” he said. The team will return to action on Friday, Oct. 21, for their last home game of the season against Englewood at 7 p.m. Boys Soccer: The Bridgemen defeated Dwight Morrow on Tuesday on the road by a score of 4-0. Fumio Himeno scored two goals, while Ron Locker and Nikola Gogic also scored for Fort Lee. Ron Locker, Yu Yu Fhamy, Nikola Gogic and Alessio Guacci all had assists during the game. Bridgemen goalkeeper Matt Hernandez had six …

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