Maccabi football bonanza

THE DEMAND for player loyalty and commitment in Maccabi League football has never been more important than now. That view is shared by the respective chairmen of the MJSL and MGBSFL. going into the new season.

Both leagues host Charity Shield matches on Sunday, with MJSL champions Haroldeans taking on a Rep Team, while the MGBSFL equivalent features the mouth-watering prospect of league winners Hendon United Sports against cup winners Oakwood A in London.

Hendon have changed managers over the summer, with Jordan Sapler taking over the reins from Greg Corin, who will focus on playing. They look set to give a debut to former Faithfold striker Jonti Aremband and Sapler has promised “a couple of surprises” that he will unveil on the day.

Jonny Kay joined Hendon earlier this week while Yehuda Korman is returning after a year out injured. Rocky Spitzer and Chaim Korman are unavailable.

“We’re looking forward to playing in the first of these Charity Shield games,” commented Sapler. “We’ve had a good pre-season winning four out of four and we’re going to look to take that form into Sunday and the start of the season.

“We know that Oakwood will be very strong, very physical and very organised . I think it will be a tough and tight game but one that’s extremely fitting of being a curtainraiser of the forthcoming season.”

The action kicks-off at 2pm at Cockfosters Football Club in Chalk Lane on Sunday.

There will be a small entry fee (recommended donation) together with some other money-making schemes, with all proceeds split between the clubs’ chosen charities. Oakwood have confirmed theirs will be the Robert Sinclair Davidson Foundation, whilst Hendon will be supporting Kisharon.

Brady Maccabi’s Stanley Offord has been ruled out for the MGBSFL season after rupturing his ACL in a friendly.

Michael Klinger expressed disappointment after Gloucestershire CC missed out on a place in the T20 Blast finals day following a five-wicket defeat against Worcestershire.

Klinger hit 24 in a score of 136-8 but a match-winning knock of 64 from Callum Ferguson sent them tumbling out.

“We didn’t bat well enough,” admitted Gloucester captain Klinger. “Noone took responsibility like Callum did for Worcestershire. We had guys getting 20 and 30 and not going on, including myself. We didn’t get a big enough total.”

Wishing my son, Jacob, a hearty mazel tov on his barmitzvah.