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TEMPLE FORTUNE FC'S
GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY EVENTS
The 50th birthday graphic ran on this website for three years, counting down second by second to midnight on Thursday 27th December 2018... in time for the 28th to mark the Club's Golden Anniversary!
THE GOLDEN ANNIVERSARY LUNCH ON FRIDAY 28TH DECEMBER 2018 The Club held a lunch on Friday 28th December at the Adam & Eve Public House in Mill Hill, attended by thirteen people in all, including MGBSFL Chairman David Wolff. Present were the top five players in the TFFC all-time leading appearances list – namely Peter Kyte, Jeremy Fess, Jonathan Davidoff, Bryan Silver and Steve Feiger – plus other long-serving players in Tony Espinoza, Lee Fegan, Graham Meyer and Nick Waitsman. Making up the group were Brian Melzack, one of the Club's original players in the pre-league days, Mike Shorvon and Nigel Kyte. Nigel brought along a selection of old TFFC shirts which were put on display, along with old newsletters especially a set from TFFC's first league season in 1976/77. Also on display was the original TFFC handbook of season 1973/74 which effectively determined Fortune's traditional colours (a drawing of a footballer on the cover depicted a yellow shirt and red shorts). There were other pieces of memorabilia present such as a set of small A6 newsletters from 1973/74, which covered the Club's activities of the time and also the badminton and table tennis tournaments which were being run at the Kyte's family home next to Princes Park. A 50 years birthday card – which included a few amusing memories of 1968 such as "a mobile was something that hung over a baby's cot", "Showaddywaddy were cool", "social networking meant chatting in a pub", "fast food meant beans on toast" and "a mouse was something that ate cheese and lived in a hole" – was circulated for everyone present to leave a comment and sign, as a keepsake likely to end up on the TFFC website.  From left to right, standing: Peter Kyte, Nigel Kyte, Tony Espinoza, Jeremy Fess, Nick Waitsman, Steve Feiger, Bryan Silver, Jonathan Davidoff, Lee Fegan, Brian Melzack and Graham Meyer. Seated: David Wolff and Mike Shorvon The group lunched in the Adam & Eve's Green Room and drank a few glasses to toast the incredible occasion, before David made a presentation on behalf of the MGBSFL to Nigel, handing him a plaque. Said TFFC Co-Founder Peter Kyte: "It’s been wonderful meeting everyone again. Also, the book is superb and I really liked the extra 50 Years publication – we've had 850 players! Wow! And that’s mainly down to my brother." "I am glad the occasion went well and was enjoyed by those attending. I would like to sincerely thank David for the award, everyone who attended and all those who have been so kind with their messages on Facebook and WhatsApp" said Nigel. "We've always been a friendly club and so many friendships have been created through association with the football club." "This has been a fantastic journey over half a century, aided and abetted by so many dedicated individuals from Day One and we look forward to 2019 with relish."  Nigel Kyte receives the commemorative plaque from MGBSFL Chairman David Wolff
 THE FIFTH PILGRIMAGE TO PRINCES PARK As part of the Club's Golden Anniversary commemorations, a group of players met at Princes Park, where the whole story began in 1968, to play a game on the very pitch upon which teenagers enjoyed many a kick-about in the mid-60s leading to TFFC's formation. Nigel and Peter Kyte, two of the founders, were joined by Brian Melzack, who lived opposite the Kytes in Oakfields Road, Temple Fortune NW11 and four others, namely Jonathan Davidoff, Tony Espinoza, Mike Shorvon and Gideon Wetrin. They played a 4 v 3 game on the leaf-covered sloping pitch, lasting 20 minutes per half. Gideon (7) and Nigel (5) scored for the Bibs, with Peter completing the 3-man team, to beat the Non-Bibs 12–9 after the teams had been level (6–6) at half-time. Brian (7) and Jonathan (2) scored for the losing side, who also had Tony and MIke onboard. Said Nigel afterwards: "Whilst the score didn't matter, the occasion certainly did! It was a sentimental return to where it all began this morning and to score some goals there after a break of some 50 years really did bring home some fond memories of the place. I am certainly paying the price with a very painful right thigh that could well keep me out from refereeing early in the New Year – but being back at Princes Park was well worth it!" There were a few amusing moments worthy of mention: Tony, when trying to retrieve the ball, slipping over feet first on the wet leaves in his trainers (without a tackle in sight); Peter taking a shot from distance only to hit the one tree located between him and the goal; Gideon cracking a shot against the upper 'goal-post' tree twice in thirty seconds; Jonathan making a point-blank diving save to keep out Nigel's goal-bound right foot effort! A huge thanks go to the players for attending this latest pilgrimage to TFFC's birthplace. Brian Melzack and Gideon Wetrin received their 50 Years Book, as had the others at Friday's lunch at the Adam & Eve. Is this the last pilgrimage to PP? "Never say never," says Nigel. "If we're still going in five years – both the Club and those interested enough to attend – then perhaps we will return for the sixth time… who knows?"  From left to right: Nigel Kyte, Tony Espinoza, Mike Shorvon, Jonathan Davidoff, Brian Melzack, Gideon Wetrin and Peter Kyte  50 YEARS OF THE TEMPLE FORTUUNE FOOTBALL CLUB BOOK The TFFC 50 Years book was started in October 2015 by Chairman Nigel Kyte and took three years to be compiled with considerable TFFC-related content, amounting to 104 pages in total. The book included statistics, facts and figures up to and including the 2017/18 season and went to print at the beginning of November. It was launched on the Club's 50th Anniversary on 28th December 2018. The Club is very grateful to the four advertisers who have generously sponsored the publication, which went a long way to contributing to the printing costs. The intention was to give complimentary copies to every player making at least 200 appearances for TFFC (28 so far), plus advertisers, certain league dignitaries and current TFFC serving officers. This amounted to 48 copies. A further 32 were made available to other Club Members, Friends of Fortune Facebook group members and anyone else wishing to own a copy of this book (subject to availability). This gave an initial print run of 80 copies. About the book, Nigel said: "It's been a real pleasure putting this publication together. The book started with essential information such as our history and quickly grew in content to include a lot of TFFC-related stuff. In its colourful and informative format, I am sure it will be particularly enjoyed by the loyal individuals it is intended for." The book was very well received and here are a few comments from ex-players. "Mine arrived today, amazing. Fantastic memories. Thank you sooooo much. It’s brilliant!" Phil Arnold. "The book has arrived. What a wonderful memento - I've just been poring over it. Thank you very much for sending it to me. Bryan Silver. "I've just received my copy of the TFFC 50th anniversary book in the post. What a wonderful read and momento of the club's history! I thoroughly enjoyed all the years and games that I played with the club and if it wasn't for my wretched knees I'd still be making myself available!! TFFC is a 'properly run' club like no other I played for and it's a tribute to you and everyone who has contributed to running it over the years that it is still going today, an amazing feat of dedication, not mention patience and tolerance! Congratulations, here's to the next 50!" David Summer. "Thanks for the book. Just had a flick through looks fab. Will look through it properly over the festive holiday." Serge Weinberger. |
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THE 45TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT BROCHURE
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