I've returned just in time for the start of the JC MSFL season following two sun-soaked weeks in the Costa del Sol.

There were lots of familiar faces in and around Marbella, including Laurence Swerner, the Team GB Masters and London Maccabi Lions striker, and Team GB golfer Stephen Schindler. But sharing the flight home with Glenn Hoddle was the cherry on the cake.

During our stay, my son turned heads with his sprinting ability down the promenade as well as showing great competence in the pool.

A player strike scuppered our hopes of watching the La Liga clash between Malaga and Barcelona but young Benjamin Conway showed great potential in our penalty shootouts while his sister, Daniella, looks like an Olympic champion in the making.

My eldest, who is seven going on 17, was happier rubbing shoulders with the teenagers. They included North London Collegiate super-brain Katie Schwarzmann, who gained 11 straight A* grades in her GCSEs. Her parents were schlepping nachas while I was busy schlepping nachos. Rebecca Lermer also gained excellent results.

The Lyons family were also on top form with Simon, the former manager of Southgate Harmen, forced on to the sidelines with an ear virus. Children Ella and Joseph certainly kept wife Gemma on her toes, although Simon recovered in time to unearth some mind-boggling magic tricks.

In my role as part of the management team at North London Raiders, we're preparing for a meeting against defending champions Redbridge Jewish Care A. We couldn't have asked for a tougher start but I'm confident the boys will hit the ground running.

● Jonathan Kurrant faces a mad dash to Spain after graduating from Loughborough University on September 7. Kurrant, who helped Team GB take silver at the 2009 Maccabiah Games, will join the England national futsal team travelling to Murcia in Spain for a five-day international training camp. He has spent the summer at Charlton Athletic training the Under 16 scholars.

● Congratulations go to James Fennessy, head groundsman at London Maccabi. He won the London FA Groundsman of the Year Award for 2010/2011 and also placed second in the National category. He said: "Rowley Lane is a fantastic facility and one the community should be proud of."