REPORT FOR SEASON 2020/21
In April 2021 Nick Waitsman, the Club's Vice-Chairman since 2008/09, sadly passed away after an ongoing battle with bone marrow cancer for a number of years. Nick originally joined TFFC in 1987, starting with the Second Team before managing the Firsts and then the Old Boys for ten seasons. He led our Masters side to the Division 2 runners-up spot twice. In recent years his activity within TFFC was very limited, presenting the trophies at the awards presentation a couple of times. For my brother Peter, Tony Espinoza and Mike Shorvon, we have lost a good friend; undoubtedly Nick will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.
Season 2020/21 has been the bizarrest ever in the long history of the Club. A dreadful season blighted by lockdowns and restrictions caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. And regarding league competition, very little went right for both our MGBSFL and MMFL teams. This has been a weird, extremely bitter-sweet campaign – appalling results in league football across the Club but unprecedented success in cup competitions, which will be covered elsewhere below.
Prior to the season starting, the Club changed the playing kit policy for the first time in 45 seasons. Always previously we had provided playing kits kept together in a kit bag but this time, because of the pandemic and the need to adopt health and safety measures, we purchased 60 new red and yellow shirts. James Ryan of Ellis & Co very generously sponsored the shirts so that every player could be allocated a numbered shirt throughout the Club. With players buying their own shorts and socks, this wisely eliminated team kit washing. However, we will be returning to full bagged-up playing kits next season.
Before I take a look at Temple Fortune's 45th season in the MSFL (as the league was named before Maccabi GB sponsored them), I would like to thank everyone who was committed to the cause this season, either as a player or on the management team. I remain very proud of the Club's longevity over so many years, thanks to the continued contribution of people who love everything we stand for. So, a timely huge 'thank you' from me for their continued dedication and commitment.
The First Team started season 2020/21 full of optimism after finishing fourth in Division Two, which, due to withdrawals further up the league, resulted in the side being elevated into a very tough Division One. I looked at the composition of the division before a ball was kicked and could see this was always going to be a massive challenge for Simon Linden's team. Despite bringing in some new players, plus a change of manager more or less half-way through the season, nothing went right for the team. The Firsts finished the campaign with a single point (gained by an unplayed fixture in the very last match) in Division 2, the first time this has happened in all 45 seasons of MSFL participation. I would like to thank Simon for all his efforts. He felt he needed a break and in stepped Michael Goldberg to take the reigns, facing a mammoth task to revive the team's fortunes. This was not possible despite numerous newcomers joining. There were several really close games which ended in single-goal defeats; the Firsts always just fell short of gaining points.
The Old Boys Team, under the new management of Phil Silver, signed several players themselves which looked to have improved the squad. Phil made a fantastic start to his TFFC managerial career when Fortune defeated Marshside 3–1 to reach the Masters League Plate Trophy final, a competition left over from last season (later to be renamed the Jack Morgan Memorial Cup). The ongoing coronavirus situation scuppered plans to get the final completed in 2020 so the eagerly-awaited showpiece tie against St John's Wood Tigers was finally played on 20th May – more about that soon. However, results in the league were not good at all after that bright semi-final win and the team soon languished bottom of the table and completed the season with only a single point gained from 14 fixtures.
Like the First Team's miserable league season, this was the worst ever league campaign during the Old Boys Team's 22 season in the MMFL. Without wishing to dwell on the reasons for such abject results by both teams, the fact remains that Temple Fortune played 32 league matches between the two sides this season and lost 30 of them.
In other competitions, in contrast the Club fared much better. The First Team entered the new MGBSFL Seven-a-side league, held at Maccabi London Brady towards the end of last year. In the eight-team division, the Firsts finished in a creditable fourth and then did brilliantly to end up in second place in the semi-final play-off group, beating one of the tournament favourites, Maccabi Lonon Lions, by 6–2 in one of the group fixtures. A week after losing heavily to Faithfold Blue, Fortune came within one penalty kick of defeating them and winning the trophy. What would have been the winning Fortune penalty was saved and Faithfold went on to take the trophy by the narrowest of margins in the sudden death shoot-out. A great effort by Simon's squad – but ultimately a case of fine margins costing him a richly-deserved trophy with the Club.
So back to the Jack Morgan Memorial Cup between our Old Boys Team and St John's Wood Tigers. Played on the showpiece 'stadium' pitch at Maccabi London Brady, Fortune overcame a single-goal deficit to win by 2–1 thanks to a double by long-serving striker Robert Botkai. A tremendous victory under the lights at Rowley Lane to win the Club's first ever knock-out trophy. The success certainly lifted the league gloom suffered by both teams and although we could count the piece of silverware under season 2020/21, technically on our honours list we have to put it down as season 2019/20 (much like this year's Euro finals officially counts as 2020!)
Looking ahead to season 2021/22, with the new Second Team formed and a pitch at the Metropolitan Police Sports ground in Bushey rapidly secured – with thanks to Simon – we managed to get two new playing kits sponsored by Hamptons (through Grant Bates) and Fantasy Fives (through Jacob Kalms), so will be returning to full kits-in-a-bag next season. A sincere thank you to both of them in securing the sponsorship. This means we have reformed the Second Team for the fifth time in the Club's history; under Jacob Kalms they will be competing in the MGBSFL for the first time since season 2017/18.
Last month we restructured the management and admin side of the Club by stream-lining the Management Committee and introducing two Sub-Committees – one for Admin and one for Team Management. Simon Linden (our new Director of Football) will coordinate the Team group, whilst I will look after the Admin group. Approved by the Executive Committee (the Founders), I am hopeful that this new structure will serve the Club better and more efficiently during season 2021/22.
The Club Awards Presentation Event, always the highlight of any season, was held virtually a month later than originally planned due to the knock-on effect of the pandemic. The event was well organised thanks to the invaluable help of Kerry Higham and the staff members at SJP. However, the attendance of players staying on after the two curtain-raiser games was extremely disappointing and I think it is only right to question the format for next season.
In conclusion, leaving aside the cup success, the Club's 45th season in Maccabi football has been very difficult overall and in terms of league results, and the positive steps the Club has taken already, next season can only get better!.
NIGEL KYTE, 12th July 2021
In April 2021 Nick Waitsman, the Club's Vice-Chairman since 2008/09, sadly passed away after an ongoing battle with bone marrow cancer for a number of years. Nick originally joined TFFC in 1987, starting with the Second Team before managing the Firsts and then the Old Boys for ten seasons. He led our Masters side to the Division 2 runners-up spot twice. In recent years his activity within TFFC was very limited, presenting the trophies at the awards presentation a couple of times. For my brother Peter, Tony Espinoza and Mike Shorvon, we have lost a good friend; undoubtedly Nick will be sorely missed by everyone who knew him.
Season 2020/21 has been the bizarrest ever in the long history of the Club. A dreadful season blighted by lockdowns and restrictions caused by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. And regarding league competition, very little went right for both our MGBSFL and MMFL teams. This has been a weird, extremely bitter-sweet campaign – appalling results in league football across the Club but unprecedented success in cup competitions, which will be covered elsewhere below.
Prior to the season starting, the Club changed the playing kit policy for the first time in 45 seasons. Always previously we had provided playing kits kept together in a kit bag but this time, because of the pandemic and the need to adopt health and safety measures, we purchased 60 new red and yellow shirts. James Ryan of Ellis & Co very generously sponsored the shirts so that every player could be allocated a numbered shirt throughout the Club. With players buying their own shorts and socks, this wisely eliminated team kit washing. However, we will be returning to full bagged-up playing kits next season.
Before I take a look at Temple Fortune's 45th season in the MSFL (as the league was named before Maccabi GB sponsored them), I would like to thank everyone who was committed to the cause this season, either as a player or on the management team. I remain very proud of the Club's longevity over so many years, thanks to the continued contribution of people who love everything we stand for. So, a timely huge 'thank you' from me for their continued dedication and commitment.
The First Team started season 2020/21 full of optimism after finishing fourth in Division Two, which, due to withdrawals further up the league, resulted in the side being elevated into a very tough Division One. I looked at the composition of the division before a ball was kicked and could see this was always going to be a massive challenge for Simon Linden's team. Despite bringing in some new players, plus a change of manager more or less half-way through the season, nothing went right for the team. The Firsts finished the campaign with a single point (gained by an unplayed fixture in the very last match) in Division 2, the first time this has happened in all 45 seasons of MSFL participation. I would like to thank Simon for all his efforts. He felt he needed a break and in stepped Michael Goldberg to take the reigns, facing a mammoth task to revive the team's fortunes. This was not possible despite numerous newcomers joining. There were several really close games which ended in single-goal defeats; the Firsts always just fell short of gaining points.
The Old Boys Team, under the new management of Phil Silver, signed several players themselves which looked to have improved the squad. Phil made a fantastic start to his TFFC managerial career when Fortune defeated Marshside 3–1 to reach the Masters League Plate Trophy final, a competition left over from last season (later to be renamed the Jack Morgan Memorial Cup). The ongoing coronavirus situation scuppered plans to get the final completed in 2020 so the eagerly-awaited showpiece tie against St John's Wood Tigers was finally played on 20th May – more about that soon. However, results in the league were not good at all after that bright semi-final win and the team soon languished bottom of the table and completed the season with only a single point gained from 14 fixtures.
Like the First Team's miserable league season, this was the worst ever league campaign during the Old Boys Team's 22 season in the MMFL. Without wishing to dwell on the reasons for such abject results by both teams, the fact remains that Temple Fortune played 32 league matches between the two sides this season and lost 30 of them.
In other competitions, in contrast the Club fared much better. The First Team entered the new MGBSFL Seven-a-side league, held at Maccabi London Brady towards the end of last year. In the eight-team division, the Firsts finished in a creditable fourth and then did brilliantly to end up in second place in the semi-final play-off group, beating one of the tournament favourites, Maccabi Lonon Lions, by 6–2 in one of the group fixtures. A week after losing heavily to Faithfold Blue, Fortune came within one penalty kick of defeating them and winning the trophy. What would have been the winning Fortune penalty was saved and Faithfold went on to take the trophy by the narrowest of margins in the sudden death shoot-out. A great effort by Simon's squad – but ultimately a case of fine margins costing him a richly-deserved trophy with the Club.
So back to the Jack Morgan Memorial Cup between our Old Boys Team and St John's Wood Tigers. Played on the showpiece 'stadium' pitch at Maccabi London Brady, Fortune overcame a single-goal deficit to win by 2–1 thanks to a double by long-serving striker Robert Botkai. A tremendous victory under the lights at Rowley Lane to win the Club's first ever knock-out trophy. The success certainly lifted the league gloom suffered by both teams and although we could count the piece of silverware under season 2020/21, technically on our honours list we have to put it down as season 2019/20 (much like this year's Euro finals officially counts as 2020!)
Looking ahead to season 2021/22, with the new Second Team formed and a pitch at the Metropolitan Police Sports ground in Bushey rapidly secured – with thanks to Simon – we managed to get two new playing kits sponsored by Hamptons (through Grant Bates) and Fantasy Fives (through Jacob Kalms), so will be returning to full kits-in-a-bag next season. A sincere thank you to both of them in securing the sponsorship. This means we have reformed the Second Team for the fifth time in the Club's history; under Jacob Kalms they will be competing in the MGBSFL for the first time since season 2017/18.
Last month we restructured the management and admin side of the Club by stream-lining the Management Committee and introducing two Sub-Committees – one for Admin and one for Team Management. Simon Linden (our new Director of Football) will coordinate the Team group, whilst I will look after the Admin group. Approved by the Executive Committee (the Founders), I am hopeful that this new structure will serve the Club better and more efficiently during season 2021/22.
The Club Awards Presentation Event, always the highlight of any season, was held virtually a month later than originally planned due to the knock-on effect of the pandemic. The event was well organised thanks to the invaluable help of Kerry Higham and the staff members at SJP. However, the attendance of players staying on after the two curtain-raiser games was extremely disappointing and I think it is only right to question the format for next season.
In conclusion, leaving aside the cup success, the Club's 45th season in Maccabi football has been very difficult overall and in terms of league results, and the positive steps the Club has taken already, next season can only get better!.
NIGEL KYTE, 12th July 2021