Redbridge Jewish Care A's double celebrations have only just finished but it appears that they already face an uphill battle to retain the JC MSFL Premier Division next season.
Last week I revealed that striker Daran Bern, the Maccabi League Player of the Year, is leaving to join a team of non-Jewish friends, which he informed manager Sam McCarthy about after the team's victory in the JC Cyril Anekstein Cup.
It has now emerged that a second member of their title-winning team will not play next season as captain Adam Hakimi is going travelling.
Hakimi was keen to stress that the mood in the camp remains confident with a big-money move for Glenthorne hotshot Fabio Revieccio in the pipeline.
"We still have a strong squad," said Hakimi. "Brad Frankel and Joel Berg are top defenders while Dan Cooper is ready to step up."
Asked about potential new signings, he said: "That's work in progress but Berny is possibly irreplaceable."
● Justin Rockberger, the long-standing manager of Camden Park, has left the club. Rockberger has been involved in the MSFL for 20 years with a stint at South London Old Boys (SLOBS) and then Camden. He said: "Quite simply, it's been a huge and amazing part of my life.
"Personally, I don't think there will ever be a team or club like Camden again. We never tried to be anything that we were not. Just a group of lads who got together who loved football, and the odd drink!
"Age and injuries finally caught up with many of the players that have represented the team so well over the years. We've had our ups and downs, which is part and parcel of Sunday league football, but I'm left with so many great memories." Nick Kagan, Josh Marks and Max Saunders will lead the Division One team next season.
● The opening of South Manchester Sports Club on July 3 promises to be an exciting day. As part of the celebrations, there will be a football match that features a South Manchester team against a Manchester City legends XI who look set to include Peter Barnes, Nicky Summerbee, Richard Edgehill, Ian Brightwell, Andy Morrison and Asa Hartford.
● Ben Winston, Team GB's Open football manager, believes that valuable lessons will be learnt following England's early exit at the European Under 21 Championships.
Winston's troops watched the match against Spain at a training session. He said: "It made for really interesting viewing. I think the boys have learnt a lot from watching and assessing how different the style and pace of international football can be."
● Israel will play England in an Under 21 international friendly at Oakwell on September 5. The match is being used as part of Israel's preparations for the Euro Under 21 Championships which they qualify for automatically as the host nation in 2013.
See Danny Caro’s weekend round-up at thejc.com. Email dcaro@thejc.com and/or follow Danny on Twitter:@djcaro
