As one of the UK’s leading Jewish football clubs and the only one to be affiliated to Maccabi GB with teams in the Maccabi Junior, Watford Friendly and Excel Football Leagues, HMH enter 2020 stronger than ever after successfully completing and becoming an accredited FA Charter Standard Club.

Nick Sonenfield, who has successfully steered the club’s growth over a 20-year tenure, remains at the heart of the club being elevated to honorary life president. Marcus will be supported by a renewed management committee team of Simon Pollock, Lewis Cohen, Douglas Conn and Danielle Lipton.

Looking forward to 2020 and beyond, Marcus explained: “As a club with almost 600 registered players across all age groups, including boys, girls and adults, we have some fundraising campaigns ahead of us which will allow us to offer ground improvements, kit sponsorships and to bring the club to the digital age with a new website and dedicated App.”

Marcus continued: “We will increase our exposure and association to more charities, like we did with Beit Halochem this season, and will continue our support for the Yellow Candle Project which gives families the opportunity to speak about the Holocaust and raise awareness of what can happen if antisemitism goes unchallenged.

“It’s equally important to note that we take the welfare of all our players very seriously and will continue to support and promote JAMI and Childline. This is one of many reasons we decided to aim for FA Charter Standard.”

HMH club secretary Deri Ansher successfully led the FA Charter Standard initiative. She said: “This shows the our commitment to all our players and makes us stand tall amongst other Jewish football clubs in the region. The accreditation raises standards in the grass-roots game, supporting the development of clubs and leagues, recognising and rewarding commitment, quality and achievement.”

The club will run a series of trials throughout the week of March 30. For further details, sign up www.hmhjyc.org/trials20 or email Deri Ansher on office@hmhjyc.org for more details.

David Marcus said: “Our staff are professionally qualified FA coaches, with most qualified to UEFA B standard. We play on FIFA approved pitches and after a recent audit, the London FA have described our players as “having a great experience and feeling safe at our training sessions”.