The warning signs have been there for many a week now, but despite the best efforts of club chairman Nigel Kyte, the disciplinary problems at Temple Fortune A came to a head in a big way last weekend.
Three red cards in one match is no way for what is now the league’s longest-serving club to carry on.
As a leading Jewish referee, Kyte is red-hot on disciplinary issues and he runs his club like a well-oiled machine.
As a result, he sees each red card and booking as a personal slur on the club he’s built, and the actions of a handful of individuals have embarrassed him as much as it has Jewish football.
Having enjoyed a successful spell with the club myself during the late 1980’s and early 90’s, I know Nigel will do whatever is required to drag the club’s name out of the mud.
* Given that Liverpool has a close affinity towards Israel, a potential move for Mallorca striker Tomer Hemed makes sense to me. The club are crying out for a natural predator to help Luis Suarez and I think Hemed has all the right attributes.
The late Avi Cohen, Ronnie Rosenthal and Yossi Benayoun became favourites on the Kop and a big performance against Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid on Sunday could help him close in on a dream move to Anfield.
* Players from the JC MSFL will get their first taste of the new roll on/roll off system on Sunday in the first round of the Peter Morrison Trophy. I’m not a fan of the initiative that has been operating successfully in the Maccabi Masters League for some time, and it appears that I’m not alone.
Glenthorne joint-manager Jordan Sapler said: "It makes me feel like we're involved in seven-a- side kids football. I fear some managers will abuse the rule and I can see a case when they bring on three defenders to sit on the goalline towards the end of a match to hold on to a lead. I just don’t understand it."
SPEC FC's Ricky Lawrence said: "I'm pleased the rule didn’t come into the league. I can’t imagine what the games would have been like with subs taking place all the time, but it’ll be interesting to see how it works on Sunday."
* Norstar A manager Phil Peters was hoping to secure a new striker before last night’s transfer deadline ahead of the weekend clash against leaders Faithfold A. This follows the news that Eli Houri has been ruled out for the season with a ruptured ACL.
* There was good news for Maccabiah hopeful Declan Green. The keeper was told this week that he should return to action before Chanukah following a small tear to his meniscus that requires physio rather than surgery.
* Congratulations go to Jake Schindler and Harrison Baum following their respective appointments as Junior captain and Junior vice-captain at Hartsbourne Golf Club.
