The empty cardboard boxes were doing a roaring trade as MGBSFL volunteers were tasked with filling them with silverware.
The question that everyone wanted to know was, where were the recipients? North London Raiders and Scrabble FC were the only ones who turned up to the awards in force.
You had to feel for league chairman David Wolff who cut an almost forlorn figure as he called out the winners on the stage. On the surface, it appears that many people could not be bothered to turn up. Was it the lure of Euro 2016, Love Island or Glastonbury? We will never know.
I had to cut short a delicious dinner at Kaifeng to celebrate the JC’s 175th anniversary to attend an event that used to be a must on the calender of even the most average Sunday morning footballer.
I had only just started to tuck into my duck and pancakes when I had to up and leave, only to be greeted by a not-even-quarter-full room. This event used to be the who’s who of Jewish football, but it was more a case of Where’s Wally? Indeed there was just about enough for a minyan.
The hall used to be packed to the rafters, buzzing with atmosphere and positive vibes. But the turn-out can be best described as horrendous. An insult to the chairman himself. In my opinion the awards evening turned stale a few years ago.
It would be more sensible to finish the season on a high with Rob Richman’s suggestion of holding the awards after the last cup final of the season, together with a BBQ to make it “much more inclusive and enjoyable” for all concerned.
And while my colleagues back in Hendon were feasting on toffee apples and ice cream, league officials must reflect with honesty and admit these are sticky times for Jewish football. What the future holds nobody knows.
* Several MGBSFL clubs are in the hunt for Aaron Zucker, who Daniel Tannenbaum described as “one of Germany’s best players at the EMFT”. GB and NLR boss Dan Shafron is believed to be in the market for the player who is moving to London in September. Hendon United are also rumoured to be putting together a bid that the player “won’t be able to refuse”. I understand this could involve dinner at La Fiesta and a shakshuka before every match.
* London Lions have confirmed their schedule of pre-season friendlies ahead of the new Herts Senior County League campaign. The Rowley Lane club returns to training on July 2 before matches against Harpenden (July 9), Hoddesdon Town (July 16), Colney Heath (July 23) and Springfield (July 30).
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