REPORT FOR SEASON 2019/20
In March 2020 the calamitous coronavirus pandemic curtailed what had been a far from memorable season. Both the MGBSGL and Masters League adopted the points-per-game system to prematurely complete their league campaigns.
The season began with participation in the new David Wolff 8-a-side Trophy held at The Hive and Temple Fortune excelled in reaching the final, winning the group and then beating Maccabi Lions Masters and Premier Division Oakwood along the way, aided by a handicap system. In the final, against North London Raiders, Fortune were just 30 seconds away from winning the Trophy but Raiders scored a very late goal to steal the victory away. In fact, they had needed to score two goals in the closing minutes and, much like Manchester City when securing the Premier League title in 2012, they achieved it – very frustrating for the Temple Fortune camp who had done incredibly well to get that far.
After a poor pre-season – I cannot recall five defeats in six games ever before – the First Team recovered into a strong position near the top of Division 2 and with it a chance of automatic promotion. Simon Linden's team clocked up nine wins from 13 fixtures including the Club's second highest ever league victory, a thumping 15-1 result against West Hamdillah. Included was an impressive run of six wins in seven fixtures.
But all this was completely derailed by an ineligibility scandal that was to effectively hamper the promotion challenge. Without pointing a finger in anyone's direction, an error of judgement in fielding an ineligible player lost the First Team three valuable points and a cup semi-final. Altogether the whole sad episode was hugely embarrassing and one that we as a Club must never repeat again. Indeed it sickened me to the pit of my stomach and left me feeling very disheartened. However, the Club dealt with the situation as best as possible and the support I received from MGBSFL Chairman David Wolff at the time really did help my personal resolve to stay positive.
One pleasing aspect of the adversity we faced came in the form of support that Simon Linden received from his squad in the First Team WhatsApp group once they found out we had been withdrawn from the Division Two Cup. Everyone had been looking forward to a winnable semi-final so breaking the news to them was difficult. But almost to a man they backed the manager in particular at that difficult time. Of course, it did not cover up the immense disappointment but sometimes one has to draw positives when things are going badly and I found the squad's support for their manager very heartening.
Not long after, the coronavirus struck – which certainly put everything into perspective considering the alarming daily fatalities – to cut short the season with Temple Fortune sitting in third place. The three remaining League games were not completed so the First Team ended in fourth position once the points-per-game system had been applied, a final standing which disappointed the team's management given how well the season had been progressing.
Moving onto our Masters League side, under the management of Andy Montlake, the Old Boys Team had little joy all season and stuttered to their worst League campaign on record, gaining just four points from 12 fixtures. Even the lone victory was tinged in controversy as the league questioned the use of too many substitutes during the 2-0 victory over Marshside. That result, which stood after we had successfully appealed an ineligibility charge, was as good as it got for the Old Boys Team during the whole campaign which included no less than four horrendous 9-0 defeats.
Financially, after the shock and horror of making a record loss the previous season, we fared much better and reached 1st June in a positive position. One major plus was the use of Steven Black's iZettle which provided much improved income from the First Team subs collection and thanks go to him for implementing this service. Hilton Teper's usual efficiency in collecting subs for the Old Boys Team also helped give us a decent return on the Masters side.
A big thank you to all our officers who served us well during the season. A special mention to David Goldberg who had been Team Secretary of the Old Boys for quite a few years. His administration skills were there to be admired by the club in running the Old Boys side and also his invaluable help as the Masters League Fixture Secretary. David was involved with our Masters side for 20 years and has been a class act on the admin and organisational front for TFFC.
He endured the immense frustration of dealing with a very limited Old Boys Team in more seasons than he cares to remember but he always did a really good job as a long-suffering manager and never flinched from his responsibilities. I have always enjoyed his commitment, dedication and wisdom and I'm particularly saddened to see him stand down.
So, all in all, not a good season by any stretch of the imagination compounded by the unprecedented pandemic which has caused the country into lockdown and, the way things stand at the time of writing this report, threatens to delay the start of the 2020/21 season.
NIGEL KYTE, 1st June 2020
In March 2020 the calamitous coronavirus pandemic curtailed what had been a far from memorable season. Both the MGBSGL and Masters League adopted the points-per-game system to prematurely complete their league campaigns.
The season began with participation in the new David Wolff 8-a-side Trophy held at The Hive and Temple Fortune excelled in reaching the final, winning the group and then beating Maccabi Lions Masters and Premier Division Oakwood along the way, aided by a handicap system. In the final, against North London Raiders, Fortune were just 30 seconds away from winning the Trophy but Raiders scored a very late goal to steal the victory away. In fact, they had needed to score two goals in the closing minutes and, much like Manchester City when securing the Premier League title in 2012, they achieved it – very frustrating for the Temple Fortune camp who had done incredibly well to get that far.
After a poor pre-season – I cannot recall five defeats in six games ever before – the First Team recovered into a strong position near the top of Division 2 and with it a chance of automatic promotion. Simon Linden's team clocked up nine wins from 13 fixtures including the Club's second highest ever league victory, a thumping 15-1 result against West Hamdillah. Included was an impressive run of six wins in seven fixtures.
But all this was completely derailed by an ineligibility scandal that was to effectively hamper the promotion challenge. Without pointing a finger in anyone's direction, an error of judgement in fielding an ineligible player lost the First Team three valuable points and a cup semi-final. Altogether the whole sad episode was hugely embarrassing and one that we as a Club must never repeat again. Indeed it sickened me to the pit of my stomach and left me feeling very disheartened. However, the Club dealt with the situation as best as possible and the support I received from MGBSFL Chairman David Wolff at the time really did help my personal resolve to stay positive.
One pleasing aspect of the adversity we faced came in the form of support that Simon Linden received from his squad in the First Team WhatsApp group once they found out we had been withdrawn from the Division Two Cup. Everyone had been looking forward to a winnable semi-final so breaking the news to them was difficult. But almost to a man they backed the manager in particular at that difficult time. Of course, it did not cover up the immense disappointment but sometimes one has to draw positives when things are going badly and I found the squad's support for their manager very heartening.
Not long after, the coronavirus struck – which certainly put everything into perspective considering the alarming daily fatalities – to cut short the season with Temple Fortune sitting in third place. The three remaining League games were not completed so the First Team ended in fourth position once the points-per-game system had been applied, a final standing which disappointed the team's management given how well the season had been progressing.
Moving onto our Masters League side, under the management of Andy Montlake, the Old Boys Team had little joy all season and stuttered to their worst League campaign on record, gaining just four points from 12 fixtures. Even the lone victory was tinged in controversy as the league questioned the use of too many substitutes during the 2-0 victory over Marshside. That result, which stood after we had successfully appealed an ineligibility charge, was as good as it got for the Old Boys Team during the whole campaign which included no less than four horrendous 9-0 defeats.
Financially, after the shock and horror of making a record loss the previous season, we fared much better and reached 1st June in a positive position. One major plus was the use of Steven Black's iZettle which provided much improved income from the First Team subs collection and thanks go to him for implementing this service. Hilton Teper's usual efficiency in collecting subs for the Old Boys Team also helped give us a decent return on the Masters side.
A big thank you to all our officers who served us well during the season. A special mention to David Goldberg who had been Team Secretary of the Old Boys for quite a few years. His administration skills were there to be admired by the club in running the Old Boys side and also his invaluable help as the Masters League Fixture Secretary. David was involved with our Masters side for 20 years and has been a class act on the admin and organisational front for TFFC.
He endured the immense frustration of dealing with a very limited Old Boys Team in more seasons than he cares to remember but he always did a really good job as a long-suffering manager and never flinched from his responsibilities. I have always enjoyed his commitment, dedication and wisdom and I'm particularly saddened to see him stand down.
So, all in all, not a good season by any stretch of the imagination compounded by the unprecedented pandemic which has caused the country into lockdown and, the way things stand at the time of writing this report, threatens to delay the start of the 2020/21 season.
NIGEL KYTE, 1st June 2020