Posted on Jul 3, 2003

Early on Sunday 18 May the lads turned up at Tottenham Hotspur football club along with 23 other teams. The nine man ‘squad’ captained by Richard Hawkins, included Tajul Islam (goalie), Alan Finkel, Michael Rowan, Darren Pemble, Martin Crump, Stuart Cager, Rubait Hossain, and as a last minute replacement, Scott Donavan (son of Merle and Dave). Providing tactical guidance and moral support on the sidelines were Dave Donavan and Paul Westbrook.

It being the day after the FA Cup Final and with the season over, the teams played on the actual Spurs pitch. Perhaps it was the pressure of such a famous venue that prevented our team from progressing into the semi-finals. We did however win one of our three matches – against British WIZO ladies team, overcoming the two goal start they had been given.

The aim of tournament was to raise funds for Maccabi UK and other charities. The Maccabi Union is a worldwide organisation whose aims are to promote the active participation in sports and education of young Jewish men and women, in order to enhance their Jewish identity, values and commitment to the community.