We are now at the half way point in the season and it's pleasing to note that there has been little disruption due to the weather. However, with the seasonal festivities now out of the way, its looks as though the current horrific weather condition could have a large effect over the next few weeks.
We shall have to monitor the situation and decide how best to proceed. Luckily the Cyril Anekstein Cup is well under way and the Peter Morrison Trophy is also on schedule. The debate now is to decide whether it is feasible to run the Barry Goldstein Cup. Hopefully, double-headers will not be a consideration.
I have been to games most weeks and now seen more than 2/3 of the teams in the league. I always enjoy my visits irrespective of the standard of the football and I thank you all for the warm welcome that I am always given.
At the recent Maccabi GB awards evening, I was presented with the Richard Urban Lifetime Achievement Award and I am very honoured to have been given this especially as Dick Urban was such a great friend of mine and a great stalwart of Maccabi both here in the UK and internationally. I have now completed 50 years on the league’s Management Committee and this will be recognised by The Football Association in due course.
Over the year end period I had the pleasure to attend a small-sided football tournament to celebrate 45 years since Temple Fortune was formed and great credit is due to Nigel Kyte for the many years of work and dedication and TLC he has given to his club to ensure its survival. Catford & Bromley and Brixton Old Boys are other long running ‘soap operas’ and they no doubt they will find time to celebrate. Also Maccabi Association London (now London Maccabi Lions) are ‘originals’.
Next June Maccabi GB shall be hosting an International Tournament in London the European Maccabi Football Tournament and I am pleased to announce that Rob Richman (Norstar London Raiders) and Jonathan Green (Brady Maccabi) are the Great Britain teams joint managers. I am sure that you will join me in wishing them and the British team well in the tournament.
The next European Maccabi Games are to be held in Berlin in the summer of 2015. Management is being put into place and you can apply online now on the Maccabi GB website,www.maccabigb.org
Every player in the league has been sent a ‘kippa’ by Maccabi GB, our sponsors. This is one of the ways that we can identify both with them and also our community and I hope that they will be worn with pride.
Another excellent reason for the sponsorship is to associate with the many other activities that Maccabi GB promotes and I would strongly recommend that you visit the website to acquaint yourself with them.
West Ham United. Quite a saga yet again. I must say we have been terribly unlucky with injuries, but to put all your eggs in one basket, and by that I mean Andy Carroll, is not the most sensible policy. Also, some of Allardyce’s team selection and then ludicrous substitutions leaves a lot to be desired, especially the continued selection of Kevin Nolan both out of position and ‘lumping ‘about over the pitch. He is so slow now and well past his sell by date. His discipline in now more than ‘questionable’. I really hope that we don’t get relegated ... but don’t hold your breath, just pray!
Just one word on that incident at Upton Park last weekend. I had never heard of the ‘Quenelle’ but now knowing what it is and means, the FA MUST act firmly and immediately against Nicolas Anelka and West Bromwich Albion to make it abundantly clear that such actions will just not be tolerated. I do not pay good money for my season ticket to have incidents like that happen under my nose. There is massive coverage in the Jewish press and quite rightly so.
My best wishes for 2014 and I hope you continue to enjoy your football.
David Wolff
Chairman
Maccabi GB Southern Football League