David Wolff
1944 – 2026
The Club was extremely saddened to hear about the passing of David Wolff, M(S)FL Chairman on 3rd February 2026.
David was the backbone of the Maccabi (Southern) Football League for more than 60 years, chairing the Management Committee for over 50 seasons, and under his leadership the League grew into a large well-established competition that has given thousands of players the opportunity to play competitive Sunday League football.
David’s influence extended well beyond the Jewish community. He served the London FA continuously from 1970, contributing to its Cups Committee, Finance Committee, Disciplinary Committees, and Benevolent Fund. In 2022, he was appointed Honorary President of the London FA, a rare and fitting honour that reflected decades of service to grassroots football across the county. Earlier, in 2004, he received the London FA’s Bobby Moore Award as part of the Grassroots Heroes Awards, an accolade he spoke of with particular pride as a lifelong and passionate West Ham supporter.
Throughout his career, David was an inspiration to others. He actively supported and advised the Maccabi Masters Football League when originally founded up by Stuart Lustigman, the AJY Football League, and the Maccabi GB Junior Football League, sharing his experience generously and helping shape governance, documentation, and sustainable structures. He was especially committed to encouraging younger volunteers, creating a pipeline of future leaders who felt trusted, supported, and empowered. In recognition of his extraordinary contribution, divisional trophies bearing David’s name continue to be competed for each season in the MGBSFL.
At the 2025 Jewish Volunteering Awards, David was awarded Maccabi GB’s Lifetime Achieve-ment Award and was inducted into JVN’s Living Volunteer Archive.
He served on the Maccabi GB National Football Committee and was the Maccabi GB Vice-President, as well as giving many years to the London Football Association where he sat on various committees before being elected President.
Apart from supporting his beloved West Ham, for a long time he was involved at Wingate & Finchley. On a more personal level, Nigel Kyte worked closely with David on numerous annual League handbooks and over time this Club had built up a fantastic rapport with him.
TFFC first played a fixture in the M(S)FL on 5th September 1976 against Bushey United which was attended by David. He had visited many TFFC games over the years and was no stranger to TFFC events either, attending our 50th Anniversary lunch, as well as being the Guest of Honour at various Club Awards Presentation Events in the past. David was extremely proud of TFFC’s longevity within the League and his heartfelt message on page 5 was written late last year; we are thankful that it was emailed early enough to be fittingly included in this book.
His stature in the Maccabi game was second to none and his organisation, wisdom, wit and overall presence will be sorely missed as the League adjusts to a future without him.
