Caro's column

Ready to go that extra mile

Danny Caro — Fri, 17 May 2013 10:54:20 +0100

As many of you will know, rarely has a day gone by that I didn’t mention an injury, niggle or pain since completing the 2001 London Marathon.

Well I can confirm that three operations down the line, and with my latest sporting comeback complete, that will all stop following what I can only describe as an uplifting, no inspiring, meeting with Israel’s most famous Paralympian.

Noam Gershony wasn’t comfortable talking about the day he was involved in a fatal helicopter crash at London 2012, but he gave a warts and all tale to a captivated audience, relieving how he overcame all the odds following an accident that saw his co-pilot killed.

He told me this week that virtually every bone in his body was broken and the memory of two of his closest allies inspired him to come back from the dead and win gold.

Few people know the real meaning of the word pain like Noam. He is an inspiration to us all, a wonderful ambassador for Israel and proof, if ever there was, of the motto ‘impossible is nothing’.

He has overcome every hurdle in life, and done it with great dignity.

The hairs on the back of my neck stood up watching Noam watch himself receive gold at Stratford and break down in tears during Hatikvah, when the enormity of what he had achieved hit home. It has been one hell of a journey.

As for me, I’m back playing cricket and, due to Noam’s words of wisdom, have agreed to participate in the Maccabi GB Fun Run later this month. If you’re able to, I believe everyone should try to go that extra mile.

* North West Neasden A have started the search for a new manager after Daniel Hodes told the club he will be stepping down at the end of the season. Club stalwart Hodes has helped NWN survive a testing campaign in Division One of the JC MSFL.

He said: "My decision isn’t based on the fact that it’s been hard, at times, to get a team out, nor because we have struggled when we have turned up. It’s purely and simply because I can’t bear the heartache and torture of turning up, being so close to the pitch and not being able to get on it.

"My back has deteriorated to near chronic at times and until it gets fixed I’ll be away from Sunday morning football."

* Having stepped down as first-team coach at London Lions, it’s great to see the highly-regarded Darren Yarlett join David Pollock’s squad for the Open Football competition at the 19th Maccabiah Games.

Winning isn't everything

Danny Caro — Fri, 10 May 2013 10:54:55 +0100

I've been inundated with emails about teams winning various football competitions over the past few weeks, but the cup isn’t so full for quite everyone. The season is almost over so it’s with great sadness I report the demise of two clubs.

UJIA have struggled since Darren Rolfe stepped down as manager. Ben Radstone did his best to see the team complete the JC MSFL Division One season, but in the end it got too much.

"Getting a team together every week was becoming a real challenge and we were having to cancel games at the last minute, which was embarrassing for us and unfair on the team we were supposed to be playing,” Radstone told me.

"We'll use the summer to decide if we are going to start again in the third division next season.”
The U’s are the second Maccabi League team to fold this season and the question of a ‘player loan system’ must be considered again.

Another club to fold are South Mancunians who have dropped out of the Maccabi Masters League. MMFL press officer Jeremy Silverstone said: "We are all sad to see South Mancs pull out of the league and hope that it won’t be long before the players are once again enjoying Masters football, if not for a revitalised South Mancs team, then under another badge."

* It's a pretty depressing stat to think Israel won’t have a player in the main Singles draw at Wimbledon. Clearly Dudi Sela and Shahar Peer will need to raise their respective games. Several qualifying matches await them and it could be game, set and match before you know it.

* These really are exciting times for everyone at the all-conquering Republic of Flixton FC. Joint-manager Stuart Delmonte told me they’ve already had enquiries from "two top players" for next season in the Manchester Accountants League. The battle between them and South Manchester Sports Club will undoubtedly be one to watch.

* Hendon United Sports Club A boss David Garbacz was in fighting mood after the 3-2 victory over North London Raiders A. After watching his team cement second place behind Faithfold A, Garbacz said: “We will be strengthening in a number of positions in the summer so get your bets on early.”

* Wingate & Finchley will be the place to be on Sunday with four teams from the Maccabi Masters League in cup final action.

EDRS Stonegrove hope it's a case of third time lucky as they take on double-chasing Glenthorne United B in the Nathan Horwitz Cup. Then North London Raiders take on second division London Maccabi Lions in the Henry Swerner League Cup. It promises to be a great afternoon.

It’s all change at the top

Danny Caro — Fri, 03 May 2013 10:54:23 +0100

So in contrast to last season, the domestic silverware in London has been shared around. Hendon United Sports Club A, treble winners last year, finished empty-handed, but manager David Garbacz sounds more determined than ever to get back on track in season 2013/14.

I believe the loss of Ben Lauffer, Josh Bentley and Paul Bentley – three match-winners - hurt them more than they realised and it’s clear they need to bring in a couple of top quality reinforcements.

Newly-crowned champions Faithfold A have been the model of consistency, losing just once in the league on their way to the double. Manager Zuriel Solomon recruited well, capitalising on North West Neasden’s fall from grace by adding Elliot Stern, along with Mike Pearson and Sam Reeves to his squad.

Brady Maccabi A have also turned into a real powerhouse, with new faces Ben Joseph, Jordan Nathan, Bradley Sharp and Marc Lazare turning them into an irresistible force in the Jewish FA Cup. I can see them being there or thereabouts in all competitions again next season.

London Maccabi Lions A’s progress has been well-documented and with Andy Landesberg and coach James Gershfield leading the challenge of the JC Cyril Anekstein Cup winners, I expect next season’s JC MSFL title race to be much tighter.

And with Redbridge Jewish Care, Oakwood, arguably the first port of call for the top players leaving the Manchester area, FC Team A and Raiders all set to strengthen, there’s already plenty to look forward as managers across the league start browsing the transfer market in a bid to bring in some top quality signings.

* News of Brady Maccabi’s historic victory in the Peter Morrison Trophy reached as far as Scotland. The team was sponsored by brothers Michael and Brian Green, with the red jerseys emblazoned with the Jewish Care Scotland logo in memory of their late mother, Yvette, who worked tirelessly as a volunteer for the charity.

There was much nachas in the Green household after the game as Michael’s son-in-law, Jon Ellis, and Brian’s son, Jonathan, scored in the final. Michael Green said: “Our father, Aubrey, was in ‘shpilkes’ in Glasgow upon hearing the result and we know that mum’s memory spurred the team on to victory.”

* I'm looking forward to playing my first game of cricket in almost three years when I return to action for London Maccabi Vale in their Middlesex Sunday League opener against Harefield CC this weekend. The old limbs may struggle to warm up amid the cold breeze, but I just hope I score more runs than sweaters I’m planning to wear ...

Something to be really proud of

Danny Caro — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 10:06:15 +0100

I’m sure many of you remember that gag in the film Airplane about the book on famous Jewish sportsman being a light read. Not any more it isn’t. In fact, now is probably about the perfect time to update and extend the notional volume.

There is a certain wow factor about the level of achievement and sporting firsts dominating the back pages of your favourite Jewish newspaper this week, and I’d like to highlight three stories in particular.

It has been something of a Herculean effort from Tony Gold’s London Lions to win Spartan South Midlands League Division One title. They have come through an energy-sapping fixture pile-up that has seen a special group of players show great commitment, both on and off the pitch — leaving work early and travelling up and down the country to get to matches — and make huge sacrifices.

On the pitch, they have shown hunger, passion, commitment, mental and physical strength and recovery, not to mention the talent to win games, but the rewards are there for all to see.

Tomorrow, they will collect the trophy in front of their family and friends in what will be a proud moment for everyone connected to the club.

When Stanley Perlman asked Herschel Gutman to become Israel’s National Cricket Development Officer four years ago, he knew exactly what he was doing. He picked a real gem. Herschel knows his cricket and is a class act on and off the pitch. He made a big impression on English cricket during his time with Belmont & Edgware and his ICC European Coach of the Year award really is big news for the sport in Israel.

Hats off to the Manchester Jewish Soccer League for their special award from the FA. Numbers continue to fall in 11-a-side football across the land, but Brian Myer, Paul Rose and the rest of the league deserve a huge pat on the back for their starring role in helping to give Jewish football the recognition it deserves. The 10-team league also goes to show that size isn’t everything.

* Referee Ken Goldman praised players from both Waldaf Town and Scrabble FC after giving the teams perfect marks for sportsmanship in Sunday’s Maccabi Masters League. Goldman said: "Incredibly, I only gave one foul in the first half. That is a record for me. Excellent sportsmanship all round."

* Faithfold A need just a point against defending champions Hendon to win the JC MSFL title this weekend. The Superhoops have three games remaining, but manager Zuriel Solomon is determined to win it at the first attempt. They last won the title in 2005 and there’s every chance they will be toasting double delight on Sunday.

The barmy army is on the way

Danny Caro — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 09:50:13 +0100

I’m looking forward to Sunday’s cup final for a couple of reasons.

Those who attended the 2011 JC Cyril Anekstein Cup final will recall Redbridge Jewish Care’s barmy army. In essence the residents around Wingate & Finchley’s Harry Abrahams Stadium are advised to have earplugs at the ready as I I’m led to believe the east Londoners will bring their famous ’20 nuggets’ song and a couple of new ones for the clash against the Lions.

A great atmosphere makes such a big difference at a Jewish cup final, where attendances generally disappoint. However, much like the FA Cup final, an evening kick-off could prove problematic for young families.

It’s hard to call a favourite going into the game, but there’s absolutely no doubt Lions will have two legends of Jewish football in their ranks.

Mention must be made of Tony Gold and Aviel Schwarz, men that have been there, seen it and done it, both in Jewish football and beyond. Both are great role models for the next generation, while the former has become one of the hottest properties in the world of non-league management.

Under Gold, Lions’s Saturday first team is closing in on the South Midlands League title and he has also won virtually every honour in the Jewish game, both as a player and a manager.

Schwarz remains a cult figure at Rowley Lane. He’s closing in on his 50th birthday but continues to turn out for his team week in, week out, come rain, snow or shine. Like Gold, his fitness levels are second to none and he continues to help the talented youngsters at the club make the step up into men’s football.

CUP FINAL PREVIEW

MEET THE LIONS

MEET REDBRIDGE

* Hendon C manager Craig Miller paid tribute to club stalwart Haki Elias who marked his final match in the JC MSFL with a stunning strike in the 3-0 success over Tottenham Chutspah.

"It is with great sadness we announce the retirement of Haki Elias," said Miller. "He is retiring from football having had a 15-year career with Hendon. He’s an absolute legend and it’s phenomenal he was still playing this season."

* As I said around the family dinner table last Friday night, the engagement of Andrew Lerner, my brother-in-law, and Charlotte Brandon is certainly a match made in heaven. I’ve also noted that Lerner’s weekend predictions have picked up since he met his sweetheart, who supports Leyton Orient, and believe there can be no coincidence about that.

Lions let off the hook again

Danny Caro — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 10:03:09 +0100

Consistency. That’s all the players and managers from the Maccabi League ask for. Consistency from the referees for 90 minutes on a Sunday morning and consistency from league officials when it comes to key decisions at management committee level.

Some of the players and managers I’ve spoken to this week feel badly let down. Let down by the fact Lions are still in the competition after one of the players who helped them into the final of a major competition had his registration cancelled.

The decision to punish the player rather than the team has raised, shall we say, one or two eyebrows. Some would say it smacks of double standards when you look at what happened to Redbridge Jewish Care last season.

It's has certainly left some of the good folk associated with the league disillusioned to say the least. And should Lions win the cup, many people would call it a hollow victory.

* But nothing should deflect from the heroics of Faithfold A. Few could argue they were worthy winners of the London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup in a first for Jewish football.

Victory brought tears to the eyes of Zuriel Solomon, the Faithfold manager, and the players enjoyed a few l’chaims in the bar after the match. Solomon, Daryl Phillips and Alex Levack have helped overhaul the club in recent times and a second coming is on the cards.

Jewish football is all the better with a strong Faithfold in it and the message is clear – Hendon, Redbridge and Lions watch out.

* Brady Maccabi’s demolition of Redbridge was most impressive. Granted Redbridge had some key players missing, but as the old adage goes, you can only beat what’s in front of you. In the photos of the match the marking of Josh Gordon at set-pieces is non-existent. No doubt the east Londoners will be keen to put on a better showing in the cup final against Lions later this month.

* And these are also exciting times for everyone at South Manchester Sports Club. They dispatched Camden Park with ease and will relish the prospect of taking on the big guns of Brady in the final. Loz Newman has carried on the good work since taking over from Darryl Lee, while club chairman Jonny Davis is making room for more silverware in the trophy cabinet.

* The officials for next weekend’s JC Cyril Anekstein Cup final have been confirmed. Tony McEvoy will referee the tie between Lions and Redbridge, while Steve Russell and Brandon Pieters will assist him. Warwick Blake will be the fourth official at Wingate.

LFA Cup success would be icing on the cake for Faithfold

Danny Caro — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 11:23:36 +0100

I was there when Faithfold A saw their hopes of making history fall through their fingers in 2002 and I’m looking forward to my return to Wingate & Finchley as the boys in green and white look to make history on super Sunday.

Much has changed at the club since then, with only manager Zuriel Solomon, assistant-manager Daryl Phillips and captain Alex Levack still in the squad and it would be fair to say that the trio have unfinished business as far as the London FA Sunday Intermediate Cup is concerned.

I could sense the determination in Phillips’s voice when I spoke to him ahead of the game. Rarely has a day gone by when he hasn’t thought about the painful 5-2 defeat at the hands of Libra Arms. 4,015 days to be precise.

The team has been on a long and eventful journey since but the trio have overhauled the squad with a combination of young and committed players who deserve their moment in the spotlight. And if ever there was a team who deserved to put their name on the trophy, that team is Faithfold.

The other two big games on super Sunday come in the Peter Morrison Trophy. There is more than a striking resemblance to the semi-final line-up in the Jewish FA Cup to the real thing, with Brady Maccabi A taking on Redbridge Jewish Care A in the clash of the titans. That’s similar to Chelsea taking on Manchester City at Wembley a week later.

The other pairing sees South Manchester Sports Club host Camden Park — the equivalent of Wigan Athletic and Millwall. The smart money is on South, who hold home advantage, but Camden have thrived on being the underdog this season, just as Republic of Flixton found out in the last round.

With two regulars missing, South boss Loz Newman has drafted in a couple of 2nd team players. A star of the European Maccabi Games futsal competition in Vienna two years ago, Newman spoke of what it would mean to reach the final.

"I would love nothing more, especially for Mark Stewart and Jody Marks who have put so much hard work in this season. I still see retaining the Accountants League as being the big prize this year, but I know this competition means a lot in Jewish football, particularly to Jonny Davis, Neil Collins and everyone connected with our great club."

The big games have been coming thick and fast for Camden and player-manager Josh Marks believes his troops are ready for the challenge.

"If you asked me before our Anekstein semi-final against Redbridge, ‘would you take being in one cup final now’? it would have been difficult to say yes. Having lost that match and knowing how it feels to lose in a semi-final was horrendous.

"If that wasn’t motivation to get to that extra gear this week that we didn’t find against Redbridge then I don’t know what is. Last time we travelled the 200 miles up north we did what had to be done and this time again we will do what has to be done.

"Redbridge in the final has to be the dream … but we won’t under-estimate the task we currently have at hand."

The other last four clash sees Premier Division rivals Brady host Redbridge at Rowley Lane. Redbridge ran out 4-0 victors when the teams met in the league last October but I’m confident things will be much tighter this time.

RJC boss Eilon Kennet has an excellent cup semi-final record but having conquered 2011 winners Manchester Maccabi 1st away in the last round, Brady have shown they have what it takes to go all the way.

Fab four in a league of their own

Danny Caro — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 11:36:20 +0000

And then there were four. Few would’ve predicted the semi-final line-up for the Peter Morrison Trophy a couple of months ago and the final destination of the cup this year is anyone’s guess.

Brady Maccabi and Redbridge Jewish Care have unfinished business, but the other semi-final is one for the romantics as neither South Manchester Sports Club and Camden Park have won the Jewish FA Cup before.

Joel Nathan’s Brady made few friends with their approach to Sunday’s quarter-final win over Manchester Maccabi 1st in a game where very little football of note was played.

Brady have some fine footballers in their team, but also one or two who can mix it and they have all the qualities of a team that can go the distance. Plus, they have star man Paul Hakim to come back.

Players such as Ben Joseph, Jonathan Green and Josh Hershman are among the MSFL’s top ball-players, while Jonny Ellis, Matt Sofier and others are as determined and committed as they come.

Redbridge are going through the gears nicely and manager Eilon Kennet has a multi-talented squad that blends youth and experience. He has an outstanding keeper in Dan Lee, while Joel Berg, Adam Hakimi, Steve Gevertz, Ben Sollosi, Adam Stolerman and Steve Summers offer a rock solid spine. The emergence of youngsters such as Sam and Nathan Sollosi and Jack Van Gelder means exciting times lie ahead.

South Manchester are faced with a slight dilemma ahead of their last four clash against Camden. Although they have home advantage, they may have to concede it with many players in the squad needing to be in London on April 14 for FA Cup weekend.

An all-Manchester cup clash at Wembley means the team’s United and City fans are hoping for a double serving of cup success on a busy weekend. South Manchester chairman Jonny Davis told me: "There’s still room in our trophy cabinet for the Morrison Trophy, but we must not underestimate Camden Park."

Josh Marks’ Camden are the underdogs to reach the final but victory over South Manchester would keep the final in London.

* Quote of the week goes to Hendon United Sports Club manager David Garbacz. He said: "After all the controversy surrounding the scheduling of this game, we thought we had got away with it with the weather, but alas Manchester proved to be the only place in the country without snow and so the game went ahead as planned." What were the odds on that?

Damned if he did, damned if he didn’t. Andy just can’t win

Danny Caro — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 12:52:54 +0000

If Arsene Wenger could turn back the clock, I’m confident he’d have fielded stronger, more experienced teams in recent cup matches. After all, hindsight is a wonderful thing in football.

So you can understand why London Maccabi Lions manager Andy Landesberg did not want to make the same mistake ahead of his team’s Anekstein Cup semi-final against Faithfold. With seven regulars missing, he faced a big selection dilemma and drafted in some top-quality replacements. All the players he brought in were registered, but questions have been asked about the spirit of his selections as these were boys who play a significantly higher standard of football than the MSFL.

The fact that Faithfold were also missing key personnel didn’t help matters, but that was not Landesberg’s problem. Neither was the fact Faithfold missed an open goal that could have taken the tie to extra-time. “We want to win the competition,” Andy told me.

The inclusion of several big names upset a number people, which is understandable, and not only those in the Faithfold camp, but I can see both sides of it.

The Lions have been going through a period of transition since Eilon Kennet left Rowley Lane. Director of football Landesberg stepped up to take over the role of A-team manager after Malcolm Newman and Josh Newman departed and he has done well results-wise and in terms of giving youth a chance. However, for a one-off cup game against a team chasing the treble, Landesberg opted to draft in several players who have played at semi-professional standard.

Now Eilon Kennet’s comments have lit the touch-paper ahead of the cup final and, for some, have hit the nail on the head in terms of Landesberg’s team selection.

Landesberg was caught in a catch-22 situation and believes he shouldn’t be criticised for taking the competition seriously. You can make your own judgements when his line-up for the final is unveiled.

The final itself will be a nostalgic occasion for Landesberg for another reason though. After hearing that Jack Van Gelder scored twice in Redbridge’s semi-final win, he said that the progress of both Jack, and his son, Nick, will bring back some great memories.

"It will be an emotional time to see both boys on the park together at Wingate for the final," Landesberg said. "Paul Van Gelder and I played for many years together at Wingate, where we had a fantastic time winning many cups, championships and medals, and, most importantly, forging an everlasting friendship.

"We can take the boys into the Wingate clubhouse and see us both up there on the honours board, just to prove we could both play the game properly. It will be great to have our boys out there, ironically at Wingate."

* London Lions boss Tony Gold says his players will face the ultimate test of their mental and physical strength ahead of the South Midlands League Division One title run-in.

Gold’s troops face a crazy schedule of 15 matches in 33 days, including nine matches in 19 days, with their season set to finish on April 27. Defeat in the Challenge Trophy this week means they can focus on giving the title their best shot.

Marks has taken Camden Park to another level overnight

Danny Caro — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 10:07:49 +0000

Even the best managers have fallen victim to the dreaded Manager of the Month curse, but Camden Park boss Josh Marks is showing he is a cut above the rest as he leads his team into unchartered waters this weekend.

When Marks took over the reins from Justin Rockberger a couple of years ago, reaching one, let alone two major cup finals, would’ve sounded like little more than a pipe dream. He has made giant strides in MSFL management and it’s hard to believe the treble remains a realistic target. I was mightily impressed that they eliminated Republic of Flixton in Manchester last weekend, outsmarting two managers who led Manchester Maccabi to Morrison glory only two years ago.

My MSFL Manager of the Month for February, and top boss this week, was in bullish mood ahead of Sunday’s JC Cyril Anekstein Cup clash against 2011 winners Redbridge Jewish Care A at the Ark Academy in Wembley.

“Everyone at Camden Park — from the WAGS to the groundsmen — are really geared up for the game this week,” he said. “We’ve never played a semi-final before and are relishing the opportunity to play at Wingate.

“I don’t know much about Redbridge – judging from their current position they seem to be a mid-table Premier Division side who have done well to still be in two cups. They know even less about us which will certainly be used to our advantage.

“Everyone’s fit, everyone’s playing with confidence and with the wind beneath our wings we back ourselves to send Redbridge back to Essex empty-handed.”

No doubt Marks has already done Eilon Kennet’s teamtalk but the east Londoners will not have things all their own way on Sunday. Far from it in fact. The fact RJC feature household names including Steve Summers, Adam Stolerman, Adam Hakimi and Dan Lee will count for little once that first whistle blows.

Kennet believes a lack of match sharpness will make things tough on Sunday. He said: “Camden are a team in form and, once again, we have to play a big game without a match the previous Sunday.

“It’s been a very frustrating season as far as our fixtures are concerned. This apart, we’ll need to be at our best, physically and mentally.

“However, it is a semi-final and we desperately want to be in the final, so as always, its up to us to achieve.”

The other semi-final sees London Maccabi Lions A host Faithfold A at Rowley Lane. Like Camden, a treble is still on the menu for a Faithfold team who ultimately made victory over Oakwood look easy last weekend, but they could face a very different Lions team on Sunday.

Faithfold recently completed a league double over the Lions, but I don’t think people should read too much into the respective 5-2 victories ahead of the crunch clash.

Since Andy Landesberg took charge at Rowley Lane, the Lions have produced some excellent results, with a predominantly young team. You need look no further than last weekend’s 2-1 win over North London Raiders A at Brunel. And although some people may say the Lions are fortunate to still be in the competition after playing an ineligible player in an earlier round, I expect Landesberg to field an experienced team, featuring Tony Gold, James Gershfield and possibly a handful of players from the club’s Saturday teams.

With Wingate & Finchley 90 minutes away, Landesberg knows as well as anyone they must come away from the game with no regrets.