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.
