REPORT FOR SEASON 1976-77
I would like to open the Chairman's Report by giving you the latest news about our Team Manager, Michael Rook, who has been very ill in hospital for almost a month. I am pleased to say that Michael came out of the Royal Free Hospital last Friday and appears to be on the road to recovery. I am certain that I can speak on everyone's behalf by ending Mike our very best wishes for continued good health.
Last season marked an historic occasion for the Temple Fortune Football Club, namely our first season in league football. This has been a dream come true for my brother and I. We have been running this Club since 1968 and it has always been our intentions of putting Fortune into a league. In 1973, we were on the verge of accomplishing this wish, and only failed to apply to the Maccabi (Southern) Football League at the last moment. We had to wait a further three years before the Club once again had the opportunity to join the Maccabi (Southern) Football League in season 1976/77.
As you all know, our second attempt in the Club's 8-year-old history was successful and all too soon our first complete league season flowed by. The Club went through three lean seasons by playing no more than ten friendlies until it was revived at a meeting on 18th February 1976. This meeting proved vital in the Club's revival and the Management Committee was soon formed and the rules drawn up. Before long Temple Fortune FC had risen out of almost nothing, to having a promising set-up, a set-up which has been the basis of our success behind the scenes for the past two seasons. We arranged five friendlies towards the end of the 1975/76 season and signed up a good squad of players, most of whom remained with us for our first league season.
The make or break opening fixture in that historic season was against Mill Hill at Wormwood Scrubs. Playing for the first time together, we won this crucial match by 5-0. Marc Lewis scored two that day, together with goals from Andy Gold, myself and Peter Christie. One particular fact that stands out in my memory was the one of the Mill Hill players was Lawrence Bellman, whom I remember went off during the match with injury. I am glad that this apparent injury subsided in time for Lawrence to play for us in our next match.
After this victory against Mill Hill, who later joined the Maccabi League with us, we played Marylebone Dynamo (3-3 draw) and Westway Dynamo (5-2 win). Both were league sides at the time and the win over Westway was perhaps the highlight of the season. Danny Espinoza scored a hat-trick on his debut for the Club in that game.
We ended the 1975/76 season by beating Kingsclere 9-0 and Hampstead Eagles 6-0, and due to these successes we never looked back. Our application to the league was accepted and Temple Fortune went through 29 matches last season with a squad of 19 players altogether. We won 12 and lost 14 and finished in a credible 8th position out of 13, altogether a very satisfactory season. I have no doubt that the Captain will tell you more of how we fared in his report.
On the subject of discipline, this could always be improved. This Club has a strict code of conduct and as part of our Rules and Regulations and Conditions of Membership this code will continue to be enforced next season. For the record, the Club collected 9 cautions and 2 dismissals in 29 matches. Five players were fined £1 each, and the player sent off paid £3 and was suspended for 14 days (the other sending off was in a friendly). All fines were swiftly paid and I thank the players concerned for their prompt attention.
I am both honoured and proud to have been Chairman of such a splendid Club over the past two seasons and hope that all of you remaining with the Club next season will continue to give us your dedication and loyalty so that Temple Fortune will be up there amongst the honours where I feel we belong.
I would like to thank everybody who has been connected with the Club last season, in particular Mr and Mrs Kyte and the dogs, who have supported the team throughout the season, and provided those lovable home-made biscuits at most matches. Thanks to Colin Keye who is leaving us to emigrate to Israel. Colin, we all send you and your wife our very best wishes and the best of luck in the future. Thanks to my companions on the Committee without whom the Club would not exist, to you players who have represented the Club, and to any other person present here tonight for showing your interest in the Club. All of us are part of Temple Fortune Football Club in one way or another.
Finally, I would like to conclude my report by wishing you all a pleasant summer holiday, and I now hand you over to the Treasurer. Thank you.
NIGEL KYTE, June 1977
I would like to open the Chairman's Report by giving you the latest news about our Team Manager, Michael Rook, who has been very ill in hospital for almost a month. I am pleased to say that Michael came out of the Royal Free Hospital last Friday and appears to be on the road to recovery. I am certain that I can speak on everyone's behalf by ending Mike our very best wishes for continued good health.
Last season marked an historic occasion for the Temple Fortune Football Club, namely our first season in league football. This has been a dream come true for my brother and I. We have been running this Club since 1968 and it has always been our intentions of putting Fortune into a league. In 1973, we were on the verge of accomplishing this wish, and only failed to apply to the Maccabi (Southern) Football League at the last moment. We had to wait a further three years before the Club once again had the opportunity to join the Maccabi (Southern) Football League in season 1976/77.
As you all know, our second attempt in the Club's 8-year-old history was successful and all too soon our first complete league season flowed by. The Club went through three lean seasons by playing no more than ten friendlies until it was revived at a meeting on 18th February 1976. This meeting proved vital in the Club's revival and the Management Committee was soon formed and the rules drawn up. Before long Temple Fortune FC had risen out of almost nothing, to having a promising set-up, a set-up which has been the basis of our success behind the scenes for the past two seasons. We arranged five friendlies towards the end of the 1975/76 season and signed up a good squad of players, most of whom remained with us for our first league season.
The make or break opening fixture in that historic season was against Mill Hill at Wormwood Scrubs. Playing for the first time together, we won this crucial match by 5-0. Marc Lewis scored two that day, together with goals from Andy Gold, myself and Peter Christie. One particular fact that stands out in my memory was the one of the Mill Hill players was Lawrence Bellman, whom I remember went off during the match with injury. I am glad that this apparent injury subsided in time for Lawrence to play for us in our next match.
After this victory against Mill Hill, who later joined the Maccabi League with us, we played Marylebone Dynamo (3-3 draw) and Westway Dynamo (5-2 win). Both were league sides at the time and the win over Westway was perhaps the highlight of the season. Danny Espinoza scored a hat-trick on his debut for the Club in that game.
We ended the 1975/76 season by beating Kingsclere 9-0 and Hampstead Eagles 6-0, and due to these successes we never looked back. Our application to the league was accepted and Temple Fortune went through 29 matches last season with a squad of 19 players altogether. We won 12 and lost 14 and finished in a credible 8th position out of 13, altogether a very satisfactory season. I have no doubt that the Captain will tell you more of how we fared in his report.
On the subject of discipline, this could always be improved. This Club has a strict code of conduct and as part of our Rules and Regulations and Conditions of Membership this code will continue to be enforced next season. For the record, the Club collected 9 cautions and 2 dismissals in 29 matches. Five players were fined £1 each, and the player sent off paid £3 and was suspended for 14 days (the other sending off was in a friendly). All fines were swiftly paid and I thank the players concerned for their prompt attention.
I am both honoured and proud to have been Chairman of such a splendid Club over the past two seasons and hope that all of you remaining with the Club next season will continue to give us your dedication and loyalty so that Temple Fortune will be up there amongst the honours where I feel we belong.
I would like to thank everybody who has been connected with the Club last season, in particular Mr and Mrs Kyte and the dogs, who have supported the team throughout the season, and provided those lovable home-made biscuits at most matches. Thanks to Colin Keye who is leaving us to emigrate to Israel. Colin, we all send you and your wife our very best wishes and the best of luck in the future. Thanks to my companions on the Committee without whom the Club would not exist, to you players who have represented the Club, and to any other person present here tonight for showing your interest in the Club. All of us are part of Temple Fortune Football Club in one way or another.
Finally, I would like to conclude my report by wishing you all a pleasant summer holiday, and I now hand you over to the Treasurer. Thank you.
NIGEL KYTE, June 1977