Sunday’s London Marathon brought back some of my most painful sporting memories. I limped home in the 2001 race in just under seven hours after suffering severely sprained ankle ligaments. That was not the worst of it though. Getting overtaken by a 75-year-old and someone dressed up as a rhino rubbed salt into my wounds.
London Maccabi Lions’s Scott Levy defied the odds to raise £3,700 for Whizz-kidz at the Paris Marathon last week. His experience was similar to mine. His knee gave way after just four miles, forcing him to hobble the remaining 22. “It was the worst thing I have ever done,” said Levy, “but the good news is never again.” He finished in around six hours.
Over the years, I have been criticised for being an armchair supporter. It is not through lack of trying as getting a ticket to watch Liverpool these days is nigh on impossible.
However, I was fortunate enough to get one for the Champions League quarter-final second leg against and Arsenal last week. What a game it was.
Anfield was rocking as the reds overcame the Gooners after scoring four goals with the team’s European experience seeing them through.
Granted, Arsenal played the better football but the Anfield factor, when the Kop was in fine voice throughout, helped the team through.
Now on to Chelsea whose boss Avram Grant will try to do what his predecessor Jose Mourinho failed to; get the team into the Champions League final.
Grant has been knocked and ridiculed since taking over, and if Liverpool don’t win the competition, I would love him to lead Chelsea to silverware.
Former Wingate & Finchley captain, Andrew Myers, who kindly gave me a lift to Liverpool, has denied rumours that he is considering taking part in this year’s Le Mans Rally.
Hats off to FC Team chairman and player-manager Mitch Young. Last Thursday night he had to juggle celebrating his first anniversary with girlfriend, Sophie, with making a couple of emergency signings ahead of the Peter Morrison Trophy semi-final against North West Neasden A. Given special dispensation to add to his squad, he wined and dined the missus before speeding off to get the appropriate registration documents into competition organiser Laurence Thorne. Only the former JFS pupil could mix business with pleasure. On the phone half of the night, it may not have been the most romantic evening but it just goes to show how devoted he is.
Players from Brixton Old Boys and Catford & Bromley were locked in a crime scene last weekend. A stabbing incident on an adjoining pitch resulted in police blocking their route home for an hour as sniffer dogs they tried to find a knife at Enfield Playing Fields in Donkey Lane. One player said: “It was a major upheaval as it caused me to arrive home late for Pesach cleaning.”
Richard Sacks, a former vice-chairman of the JC MSFL, has announced his retirement from the league after 21 years. He is expected to make a move into the Maccabi Masters League.
Hendon Hawks Under Eight’s ended their season in style with a celebratory meal at the White House restaurant in Hendon, North London, followed by watching Arsenal Reserves play their counterparts from Spurs at Underhill.
Pinner JFC’s dedicated FA Skills Sessions are proving popular. Chairman Les Conway said: “They have been a fantastic success with almost 50 children pre-registering.”
Email dannycaro@thejc.com
