Remembering big Maurice – a legend in his own right

Tributes have been flooding in for former Wingate & Finchley vice-chairman Maurice Hanover who passed away in Spain last week. Battling cancer in recent years, Hanover used to be Head of Football Programme at Sinclair House.

Mickey Brown said: “Maurice had three loves in his life – family, Jewish football and Spurs. They consumed his entire day from morning to night. He was a great friend.”

Wingate President Harvey Ackerman said: “Maurice recommended me as President, I owe him a lot. He was a lovely man. I admired him greatly.”

More..

Levenfiche is a shining light to the rest of the leagues

As predicted, North West Neasden’s Daniel Levenfiche won the JC MSFL Football of the Year, and rightly so. He has worked his way up the Maccabi League ladder in great style after initially impressing with Red Sea and at North London Raiders and has taken to the big stage like a duck to water. He has won many people over with his honest and hard working approach, and most importantly, he plays the game with a smile on his face.

More..

I was cut up over Carragher and knocked out by Tyson

Having returned from eight heavenly days in Cyprus, I literally had to be pulled out of my hotel after hearing that Jamie Carragher would be arriving three days later. I learnt much about my mucatanim, especially brother-in-law to be, Jon Tiller. He and my father-in-law, Stephen Lerner, were undoubtedly the characters of the trip with the pair joint-winners of the best sunburn and disappearing act awards.

Smasher Lerner almost got swallowed up by a poolside umbrella and raised eyebrows after getting stuck on the waterslide.

More..

A last night of freedom - then it’s back for the final

Sunday’s JC Cyril Anekstein Cup final brings the curtain down on the season as treble-chasing North West Neasden A take on Hendon United A at Hadley FC.

The match is a re-run of the Peter Morrison Trophy final that Neasden edged 1-0. Both camps hope to put on an entertaining affair with a bumper crowd expected for a 6pm kick-off.

More..

Let’s hope Montana and fair play come out on top

It’s fair to say that pretty much everyone outside of Redbridge will be rooting for Montana Boca United A on Sunday when the boys in red and black take on Chigwell Athletic A.

Redbridge Jewish Care’s decision to forfeit a recent match against North West Neasden A won them no fans as, pending a league decision, it looks set to save them from relegation and instead result in London Maccabi Lions B going down. Montana looked set to join them but last weekend’s heroic display against Neasden means that a draw against Hendon would keep them up.

More..

Why MSFL should not have non-Jewish players

I don’t buy into the idea that the MSFL must introduce non-Jewish players and, judging by some of our letters, neither do others. And the view from Jewish football’s top brass at last weekend’s cup final is: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

Peter Moss’ article last week aroused debate on our messageboard but the Maccabi League family has puffed out its chest in support of a much-loved institution. As expected, the football fraternity pulled closer, with only a ringing endorsement of the world’s biggest Jewish league ringing in my ears.

More..

I was within touching distance of a lead role in cup final

The Jewish FA Cup final takes centre stage this weekend and it is hard to believe that I was just minutes away from playing a hands-on part. Having conceded 18 goals in my last three matches, I was not looking forward to the semi-final against North West Neasden A, one of my former clubs, and up against some of the leading lights of Jewish football, including two Maccabiah players, I was expecting the worst.

More..

Rowley boys primed for the big time historic victory

Hats off to London Lions whose promotion confirmed that they will be playing the highest level the club has ever achieved next season.

Manager Tony Gold, together with his assistant Steve Grenfell, deserve much credit for keeping the team believing and imbedding a winning mentality. Striker Adam Stolerman has had another excellent season but it has been a magnificent team effort.

More..

Conspiracy theories are ruining the MSFL’s reputation

The spirit of the Maccabi League has been called into question after Redbridge Jewish Care pulled out of a Premier Division clash against champions-elect North West Neasden A.

Lions assistant-manager Danny Reuben cried foul after RJC forfeited, knowing that a defeat would consign them to relegation. Lying third from bottom, on the same points and goal difference, Reuben accused the East Londoners of under-hand tactics.

More..

The Maccabi League should be the last place to play race card

Lessons must be learnt from the unsavoury incident that took place in the Maccabi League match between Montana Boca United A and Glenthorne United A (see right).

What appeared to have started out as “football banter” escalated to an unacceptable level and although Glenthorne manager Ian Cohen dealt with the situation swiftly, the league must ensure that there is no repeat of something that could be picked up by the national press.

More..