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For any player or parent involved in Jewish football, David Wolff needs no introduction. Born in 1944, the 66-year-old has been associated with the league since 1963.
Wolff combined the role with his daytime job as a chartered accountant. The ardent West Ham supporter recalls: “I used to be involved with a youth club in Forest Gate called Ivri.
“One day I was asked to manage one of the football teams. This required me to attend various meetings and as a result it was not long before I got commandeered to go on the league committee.
“I joined as assistant secretary in 1963, and after serving as vice-chairman for five or six years I became chairman through natural progression.”
According to Wolff, the Maccabi League has evolved in terms of numbers and competitiveness.
“Numerically the league has progressed since 1963. There were fewer teams and because of this there were fewer good ones. There was not the abundance of players there are today.
“Today, as you go down the divisions, one would think that you get different levels of play. This does not necessarily follow. Some of the developing sides in the lowest division are among the best teams we have.”
Wolff, who is now semi-retired and lives in Barkingside, enjoys going to the theatre and visiting museums in his spare time, and his role as chairman consists of two main elements.
“Part of my role as chairman is to ensure the operation is running correctly. I am fully briefed and aware of all the fixtures and changes, and am in virtually daily contact with the fixtures and referees secretaries. The second role I have is public relations. I think of myself as a ‘face of the league’ and see as many teams as possible in a season.”
The Maccabi League is involved in the London Inter-League Cup, which Wolff believes is crucial: “It is a massive opportunity to be part of a high-profile tournament as it enables us to meet with and play against other ethnic groups.”
Ensuring a continuous and well-run management committee is his main challenge: “It is vital that everyone on the committee does their job and works well together. The biggest challenge the league has is ensuring it maintains a good number of qualified referees.”
The JC MSFL is arguably his main focus but he also has a special fondness for Ryman League outfit Wingate & Finchley, for whom he serves as vice-president. Outside Jewish football, Wolff is a member of the London Football Association (LFA), where he has been vice-chairman of the board of directors since 2000 and one of 10 vice-presidents.
Asked where he sees Jewish football in five years time, Wolff responded: “I hope the league develops numerically, but it all depends on the birth-rate and number of people who want to play football. Providing costs can be controlled and it does not become too expensive, people will always want to play 11-a-side football. I hope the league will at least remain stable and well administered by whoever is on the committee in the years ahead.”
