David Hyman insists its business as usual after the proposed merger between the respective football sections of Maccabi London Lions and Brady Maccabi fell through.

It was believed that the partnership between two of the country’s top clubs would be go ahead, but the move collapsed after members of the MLL committee voted unanimously that a merger “was not in the best interests of the club and football in the community generally, for the time being at least”.

MLL vice-chairman David Hyman said: “The Committee expressed great enthusiasm for the future of Maccabi London Lions, but were also keen to ensure that the Brady Maccabi ‘brand’ be retained with their own special and well respected identity within the community.

“They felt that it was vitally important that the Jewish community should have a choice and that a merger would offer no clear benefits in this regard.”

He went on to say: "Both clubs will continue to have a close relationship and be the main users at Maccabi London Brady at Rowley Lane, and the committee looks forward to exploring ways in which the clubs can work together in the future."

Brady chairman Joel Nathan agrees that the two clubs will continue working together. "MLB is trying to build a centre that the whole community will use for years to come," he said.

"Whilst we go through the process of funding new pitches, as well as the plans for the new sports centre, it was best felt that the two football clubs who will continue to be the main tenants of Maccabi London Brady will stay separate," he said.

"Brady Maccabi has 21 teams and that will not change as we continue to provide football to as many of the community as we can."