By
David Wolff
The season has now been in operation for two months so now seems like the perfect time to make a short report.
Let me firstly say how delighted we all are that the league is now being sponsored by Maccabi GB to whom we are affiliated. This helps to cement our long-standing relationship and it will create an even more special bond between the two of us.
Maccabi GB is the leading ‘brand’ in the field of Jewish sport. It promotes many sporting (and indeed other) activities. It has no age boundaries and people both young and old can be involved.
This season there are 41 teams in the league which is divided into four divisions. I have seen 15 of the teams in action so far and I must say am pleased with the standard and also the sportsmanship. There never seems to be a problem when I attend!
The weather has been reasonably kind with few postponements but we must always expect, now that winter is quickly approaching, for there to be disruptions.
We are very lucky to have a full coverage of referees and although I have said this many times in the past, I cannot emphasise enough how important it is, for many reasons, to accept the decisions of the referee. Please remember that we are party to the FA RESPECT program and everyone, be they players, referees, club or league officials are expected to abide by the requirements of this promotion. Behaviour does, from time to time, fall below the required standard and this is unacceptable and must be improved.
Also, some teams and players use the press to vent their feelings particularly against referees. This must also be discouraged and you must learn to accept decisions at all times.
November 17 is Mitzvah day and the league has agreed to be a participant in this. I have asked you all to let the organisers have any old football kit or kits that are no longer required. For our part, we have given three full League kits that were used for the representative teams to this cause. I am extremely delighted that your Management Committee agreed to this because it will show the league up in really good light within the community.
I am not going to let my article pass without a few lines about West Ham. We are not picking up the points as we did last term. The first home game against Cardiff was very pleasing, but then we were absolutely abysmal against Stoke City, were beaten by an excellent Everton team with two fine goals from Leighton Baines and then last time out against Manchester City we were classes below. On the road, we have picked up a few points but I must mention how pleasing it was to come back from White Hart Lane with all the points in the bag. We must do that again. We have been unlucky with injuries to our front men. Andy Carroll and Carlton Cole (who managed not to pass a fitness test at the first time of asking). But Ravel Morrison is a revelation. More about the Claret and Blue next time.
Seriously, I look forward to getting round to you all by next April and please continue to enjoy your football.
David Wolff
Chairman
Maccabi GB Southern Football League