Adelman: ‘Maccabi League must look beyond 11-a-side and Sundays’
FOOTBALL JONATHAN Adelman admits North London Raiders B have withdrawn from the MGBSFL with a heavy heart, just three weeks before the start of the new season.
Club chairman Adelman confirmed the decision to fold last season’s B-team who finished runners-up in Division One. This follows the demise of NLR A at the end of last season.
Adelman explained: “Whilst we will still have two Raiders teams competing in the Maccabi League next season — one a new young team, including some who have played for Raiders before, and the former Raiders’ Masters side who will play in Division Two. This is the end of an era with the closing of the chapter for two sides who between them won every honour in domestic Jewish football over an incredible decade-long success story.
“For me, personally, it brings to an end 27 amazing years in Maccabi League football, all of which have been with Raiders.”
Raiders A won the Peter Morrison Tro- phy two years ago — the culmination of a period of sustained success following back-to-back league and cup doubles. But Adelman insists it has been more than just football that made the club special.
“For many boys, playing Maccabi League football on a Sunday is their only connection with the Jewish community. Certainly over the years it’s played a vital part in keeping some of our lads connected with the community and we’ve also historically provided a footballing home for Israelis studying and working in London,” he said. “Some lifelong friendships have been made and whilst it’s sad that it’s come to an end, the natural retirement of players who now have young families together with reduced interest and commitment from a younger generation feels like part of the wider loss of interest in 11-a-side football, especially within the community.
“I know the league management committee are looking at various ways to stem the decline. “I wonder whether now is the time for a more radical approach, perhaps even looking beyond 11-a-side and Sundays to the provision of a structured environment tailored for the footballing needs of the new generation of our community.”