ISSUE 1 SUNDAY 1ST JULY 2012
MSFL PITCHES SORTED FOR SEASON 2012/13
WELCOME TO ISSUE ONE OF THE NEWSLETTER FOR SEASON 2012/13

FORTUNETELLER

News, views and everything TFFC by Nigel Kyte

Just two weeks ago I sighed with relief as we finally closed the 2011/12 season by holding the Club's 36th AGM in Mill Hill! And now, with a break of only two weeks, this opening issue on Sunday 1st July signifies the start of season 2012/13! Definitely no peace for the wicked! So welcome to season Number 37 of The Fortune News, which has been in circulation since 1976/77 marking the Club's very first League season. The newsletter has always been an integral part of the TFFC, starting as a single page typed sheet and moving on to larger monthly issues printed in colour before being sent by email in recent years. Over the past few seasons, The Fortune News has appeared online as part of the Club's website.

Of course, it still takes time to put together each edition but at least we don't have to print, collate, staple and distribute copies any more like the good old days! There was a time when my lounge floor was covered with numerous copies of an A4 eight-pager, all neatly in a row in piles; my wife and I would collate each issue from the eight pages in turn and staple twice down the left side... then drive them over to a team secretary for distribution that coming Sunday! Multiply that by three teams and that's a bit of running around! Now, I can type up an issue in Adobe GoLIve and upload it via Fetch to the Club's website very easily. All the members need is a link and, hey presto, a neat newsletter to read! No paper, collating, stapling or circulation – the wonders of modern technology!



WELCOME TO JC AND DEANO
We have two new Officers joining the Club's Management Committee for the season ahead, both serving as Admin Secretaries for the First Team and Second Team respectively. So a warm welcome to JONATHAN COHEN (above left) who replaces Jack Morris on the First Team management team, whilst DEAN INGRAM (above right) comes in for the Second Team, taking over from Adam Glekin. Both are intelligent guys – winners of the TFN Inter-Club Football Quiz over the past two seasons! I wish them good luck in their new positions on the Committee.


NEW HOME VENUE FOR THE SECOND TEAM
We have been hard at work trying to secure new home venues for both teams recently and my thanks goes to Lee Fegan for all his help. After quite a few enquiries and many phone calls and emails, we have finally sorted out our MSFL pitches.

Having been told that we were losing the venue earlier this summer, the First Team will be staying on the 3G surface at The Hive (pictured below) afterall, a venue which provides arguably one of the best pitches in the whole League. I have always been in favour of the 3Gs, since I referee most weeks on them in the Maccabi Masters League. Having endured many a poor grass pitch over the years – with their ankle-spraining pot holes, ridges, bumps and generally uneven surfaces synonymous with Council pitches – I viewed the introduction of artificial surfaces as a godsend. The latest artificial grass 3Gs are far superior to the old hard astroturfs and anyone who enjoys passing a football (unless you're an England international), as opposed to humping it anywhere on a muddy, skill-reducing bog, will appreciate the advantages of playing on an all-weather surface! So we have The Hive back for the First Team, which of course, apart from the venue's easy-to-get-to location, offers great changing facilities as well.

The Second Team will be playing their MSFL Division 4 matches at the Roger Bannister Sports Centre (pictured in an aerial shot below), which is located on the Uxbridge Road by the Oxhey Lane roundabout, not that far from our old Hatch End ground actually. We have been allocated 13 weeks there during the 2012/13 season. The RBSC replaces Gosling Sports Park in Welwyn Garden City.

Once a lovely pitch within its own athletics track surrounds, the facilities at Gosling have really gone down hill in recent years, mainly through overuse. A semi-professional Saturday club use it throughout the season (which means midweek matches under floodlights as well) and the pitch does not get the much-needed 'rest' and maintenance it used to enjoy. And at £140 a match, Gosling certainly does not offer value for money any longer. It used to be the pride and joy of the Masters League and even hosted a Masters cup final but now it's pretty ordinary so I have no qualms about turning it down.

So out with the old and in with the new, so to speak! The pitches at Roger Bannister are on a par with Gosling I would say but are priced at a more favourable rate. And the location on the Uxbridge Road would be preferable to most instead of 'schlapping' up the A1 to Junction 4 (which, of course, is not that far really but seen as a long treck by some!)

Incidentally, in the image below you can see the two available senior pitches to the right of the athletics track. The changing rooms are located far left of the picture (a bit of a walk) but I guarantee that there are NO rickety and slippery steps to risk your well-being before and after any match!



The Old Boys Team will continue to play on a variety of venues supplied by the Maccabi Masters Football League. These include The Hive, University of Herts (Hatfield) and Thomas Parmiters Sports Centre on the 3G front, and the grass pitches at both Gosling Sports Park and Fairlop Playing Fields.



2012/13 FEES STAY THE SAME
You will be pleaased to know that there has been no hike in fees for the 2012/13 season. You pay for what you get is the well-known saying and this is very true regarding our two new M(S)FL venues. The Hive costs £136 per game, more than twice as much as what we were paying at Hatch End Playing Fields (£63 per game two seasons ago). To be given the 3G for the same price as The Hive's grass pitches was really a result for us and the fees remain the same for season 2012/13 there too. The pitches at the Roger Bannister Sports Centre cost just under £90 a game, which, although cheaper than Gosling, are still dearer to what we paid at Hatch End. We are hoping to heavily subsidise midweek training costs with the difference between Gosling and RBSC in expenditure. Lee Fegan is in the process of tying up arrangements regarding training next season and details will follow once it's all sorted.


LIST OF OFFICERS EMAIL ADDRESSES
For a list of all Management Committee Officers' email addresses, scroll to the bottom of this newsletter.


WANT TO SPONSOR A NEW PLAYING KIT?
We are always on the lookout for generous sponsors to provide us with playing kit in our traditional yellow and red colours. In return your company name will be emblazoned on Temple Fortune shirts all season and you get free advertising in prominent places on this website including coverage on the Home page and Site Intro page. If you're interested, please email me for more details.


Continued next column

PRE-SEASON FRIENDLIES:
SUNDAY 5TH AUGUST

FIRST TEAM
Opponents:
EDRS STONEGROVE
Venue:
THOMAS PARMITERS LEISURE CENTRE (3G)
Competition:
FRIENDLY
Result:
-
Goalscorers:
-
SECOND TEAM
Opponents:
-
Venue:
-
Competition:
FRIENDLY
Result:
-
Goalscorers:
-
OLD BOYS TEAM
Opponents:
NO MATCH
Venue:
-
Competition:
-
Result:
-
Goalscorers:
-


NEW COACH OPENS SUMMER TRAINING
Welcome to Adam Morris who took the Club's first pre-season football/training session at Mill Hill Park this morning, attended by 16 players. It was great seeing several Second Team players there in addition to a few new faces who hopefully will be joining our ranks for the season ahead. Adam is a budding coach who has taken sessions with Arsenal youth and other clubs, such as Norwood Ladies and also North London Raiders and FC Team of the MSFL. His experience is very much appreciated and hopefully he will instill improved fitness come the start of the season.

If you are a Temple Fortune player reading this, you would be foolish not to take advantage of these pre-season sessions at Mill Hill Park, whether you are First Team, Second Team or Old Boys Team. It's absolutely FREE, fun and obviously will help with your general fitness.

When I turned up at Mill Hill Park, I gazed at the green field ahead of me and viewed a mass of coloured cones set out in formation for several hundred yards! And anyone seeing them from a distance, together with the erected slalom poles, must have thought "oh my god! He's gonna kill us!" But Adam took a session which provided football, fitness and, above all, fun; I daresay that everyone enjoyed his opening treat and I really do hope you will not miss the opportunity to join week 2 next Sunday.



MEMBERSHIP & REGISTRATION FORMS
Forms for the 2012/13 season are available at the pre-season training sessions on Sunday mornings from Jonathan Cohen and Terry Jeffries. They will also be available to download on the Club's website by the weekend. I will email everyone when I have done the updates on the site.



JONATHAN DUBINER MAKES GB SQUAD
Old Boys midfiedler Jonathan Dubiner (above left) has been selected for the provisional GB Maccabiah Games Over 45's squad for next July's big event. Congratulations to Jon and we hope he goes all the way to the Games!


ADAM GLEKIN WINS 'TFN' EURO FL
Former First Team Player of the Year Adam Glekin, who has left the Club to play his football elsewhere next season, is the winner of the Euro Fantasy League table. Adam (pictured above right) won it ahead of James Ryan of the Old Boys Team. Third is Jonathan Dubiner whilst Steven Murad holds last place in the 8-player field.



TWEET AWAY WITH TFFC!
For regularly updated news on anything 'official' about the TFFC worth sharing with Club Members, you will now find the Club 'tweeting' on http://twitter.com/YellowsAndReds! Please connect with TFFC because next season this is where you will find access to breaking Club news, such as fixtures, results and anything else going on.


'TFN' NEWSLETTER BACK ISSUES, 2011/12
Issue 1Issue 2Issue 3Issue 4Issue 5Issue 6Issue 7Issue 8Issue 9Issue 10Issue 11Issue 12Issue 13Issue 14Issue 15Issue 16Issue 17Issue 18Issue 19Issue 20Issue 21Issue 22Issue 23Issue 25 (history edition)Issue 26Issue 27Issue 28Issue 29Issue 30Issue 31Issue 32Issue 33Issue 34Issue 35Issue 36Issue 37Issue 38Issue 39Issue 40Issue 41Issue 42Issue 43 (Ballots results issue) • Issue 44Issue 45Issue 46Issue 47


MOVING? NEW PHONE NUMBER? NEW EMAIL ADDRESS? ENGAGEMENT, MARRIAGE OR BIRTH TO REPORT?
Want to submit a contribution for TFN? Found an error on the website? Email the Club on info@tffc.co.uk


OFFICERS' REPORTS, SEASON 2011/12
You can read the majority of reports below which were submitted by various Management Committee Officers at the recent end-of-season AGM held in Mill Hill. My report is basically a review of the 2011/12 season, whilst the report as General Secretary is a more statistical summary of the season on the administration side.

Regards,
Nigel

OFFICERS' REPORTS, SEASON 2011/12
The following reports were submitted to the Club's 36th Annual General Meeting held on Sunday 17th June 2012 in Mill Hill, London NW7.

The Chairman (N.Kyte):
“The 2010/11 season was the Club’s 36th in Maccabi football and once again we ran three teams for the eighth time during our lengthy Sunday league history. I cannot think of one other club that has been around continuously under one identity in the MSFL for this length of time, something of which we remain immensely proud. And that includes the ‘big boys’ such as Faithfold, Glenthorne, Hendon, London Maccabi Lions and North West Neasden.

I do not expect any season to flow by without its fair share of problems. And season 2011/12 had quite a few which we had to deal with. Even before the season began we were dealt a big blow when, having been assured a grass pitch at The Hive for both of our MSFL teams, Barnet FC did a u-turn by allocating it to junior football. Instead, we were offered a 3G pitch there, plus the grass pitch at Gosling Sports Centre in Welwyn Garden City. Both were an improvement on the facilities at Hatch End Playing Fields, even though Gosling has deteriorated since first being hired by the Masters League over ten years ago. These two venues took the Club to a new level of expenditure and we had no option but to raise our fees accordingly. Yet, since our members wanted better facilities, we were happy to be able to oblige, albeit at a higher price.

Another problem hit us approximately halfway through the season when a First Team regular lost the Daniel Stewart & Co playing kit, which the First Team had worn when winning the MSFL Second Division championship the previous campaign. Although we had sufficient emergency kits to fill in during the kit crisis, we insisted that the player must pay for its replacement. The Club laid out funds for a new kit in the same style which the Firsts started using in late January, whilst the player finally reimbursed the sum of £400 in installments.

One unsavoury problem we could have done without was a repeat of a situation which occurred at the start of the previous season. On the opening day of the MSFL season, certain individuals of the Second Team ill-advisingly chose to play ineligible ‘ringers’ in the first fixture of the new season. We had to suffer the indignity of a fine and points deduction which was publicized in the Jewish press via the Division Four table. Terry Jeffries and Gavin Levy were fined £55 each which are the highest individual fines ever imposed by the Club. The message from me at the time was that TFFC will not tolerate mis-administration of this nature and anyone doing that again will have his membership and registration terminated. Cheating is simply not an option whatever the circumstances; I can think of no other way to describe the deliberate actions of people who should know better on the opening day of the league programme two seasons running.

A fourth problem arose in the autumn after we had committed ourselves to a block booking with London Maccabi, hiring their excellent relatively new floodlit 3G for midweek training. Again we did well to secure the best facilities yet did not get sufficient support from players in return. Whilst the First Team provided most of the attendees, participation by the Second Team was minimal. Eventually, after continued efforts by Lee Fegan and Jack Morris, we were forced to cut short our booking with London Maccabi but thankfully, unlike the previous season, the training deficit of £31 was not too bad.
But these problems did not detract from a sound season overall admin-wise; the Management Committee’s prudent decision-making allowed us to provide improved playing and training facilities whilst covering the considerably increased expenditure more than adequately. Looking at our three teams in terms of administration, the First Team and Old Boys Team had good seasons, both being run with efficiency.

However, although the Second Team’s overall admin was satisfactory for most of the season, the bad start due to the points deduction was compounded by picking up too many fines towards the end of the season, when admin efficiency went AWOL. Not wishing to go on too much about the Second Team’s admin deficiencies, I will add that the highest fines total for years speaks volumes about the failure to maintain the level of organisation which this Club has been blessed with for a long time. Clearly, this must be improved radically next season.

On the playing side, all three teams finished with negative won/lost records and positions in the lower half of their respective divisions. The First Team were always going to struggle to match the previous season’s success and the main objective was stability in a very tough MSFL First Division. The Firsts were sitting pretty in a safe mid-table position when the news came through that Montana Boca, beaten twice by Fortune, had folded having played 13 games, just 0.5 of a game short of the 75% needed to keep their record intact! The six points deducted pushed the First Team towards the bottom end of the table and brought on relegation concerns. But some really good results, including remaining unbeaten in all six games against the Essex teams, enabled the Firsts to survive. Highlights included beating Redbridge ‘B’ and Woodford and two hard-fought draws with Chigwell. The Firsts gained sufficient points to ensure survival and I applaud Lee and Jack and the team for this meritable achievement, which came in Temple Fortune’s first season in Division One since 1988. The Firsts also enjoyed a good run in the Peter Morrison Trophy where, after three wins, they narrowly lost to Premier team Brady in the last 16. Defender/midfielder Brett Stead was a deserving Player of the Year in his first season with the Club.

As expected, the Second Team’s season was a big improvement on the previous campaign’s second-from-bottom finish. With a mixed team of experience and youth, they got off to a good start despite the points fiasco, and were chasing the promotion pack for most of the season until a string of defeats against the higher teams towards the end knocked them into sixth place. Another impressive qualifying group in the Barry Goldstein Trophy saw the Seconds qualify for the knock-out stage for the second season running but they unfortunately faltered in the quarter-final. Another newcomer, namely defender Adam Field, fully merited winning the Second Team Player of the Year award.

The Old Boys Team, having struggled with a depleted squad the previous season which necessitated the use of too many guests, fared better on the playing front and enjoyed an improved second half of the season after a poor start. Indeed, the highlights were beating EDRS Stonegrove and Hendon Harriers after two heavy defeats against both teams earlier in the season. And another semi-final appearance in the Division Two Cup, for the second year in succession, was a reward for this improvement. Graham Meyer stood out head and shoulders above anyone else to take the Old Boys Player of the Year for the second time.

After the pleasure of watching MSFL Chairman David Wolff presenting my brother Peter with a large statuette to celebrate an incredible 700 games for Temple Fortune last December, I was tinged with sadness to learn that he has decided to step down as Treasurer. Peter held this position for 27 seasons, first taking over as Treasurer in season 1984/85. He has looked after the Club’s accounts very efficiently for many seasons and will be missed. Of course, Peter remains a co-Founder of the Club and will carry on as a player for the Old Boys Team next season. On my part, I will continue looking after the accounts which I have more or less been doing for the past couple of seasons. I wish to record my sincerest thanks to my brother for everything he has done for the Club.

To sum up the 2011/12 season, it is interesting to note that as a Club we took part in 75 matches collectively; over the course of the season we broke all records in terms of income and expenditure, topping the 10k barrier in both for the first time. Most importantly, we competently covered our considerably increased expenditure. Although overall we lost more matches than we won, and endured a few problems along the way, for the 36th time the Club provided competitive league football for its members which is what it is all about. That, in itself, makes this Club what it is – one of the best run in the Maccabi sport.

Finally, I will conclude my report by thanking Lee, Jack and David in particular, and anyone else – officers and players alike – who have contributed to a satisfactory season of football over the last 10 months or so.”

The General Secretary (N.Kyte):
“Membership: We had 45 Full Members, 3 more than the previous season. Given that we normally aim for 15 per team, this figure was smack on the mark. Casual Membership increased to 9 compared to 6 the previous season, whilst we signed 9 Honorary Members, compared to 11 the previous season. Overall the Club had a total of 63 members, an increase of 3 compared to the 2010/11 season, although we released 2 players – Saul Stern and Byron Watkins, both from the Second Team – during the season. They received the first membership refunds in 3 years. The average membership fees paid were: Full £65.77 (normal fee £70), compared to £52.14 in 2010/11, Casual £27.77 (normal fee £40) compared to £22.50 in 2010/11, and Honorary £47.22 (normal fee £50) compared to £35.00 in 2010/11, giving an overall average of £57.69 per member, which was an increase of approximately £11 on season 2010/11.

Registrations: With 2 MSFL teams in operation again, registrations were increased from 52 to 56. The Masters team had 20 players registered, 4 up on the previous season. Having some new players and better availability resulted in fewer guests being used during the season.

Pitches: As reported at last year’s AGM, we were offered a grass pitch at The Hive for our MSFL teams to replace the two we had at Hatch End Playing Fields. Then followed the news that Barnet FC decided to use the pitch allocated to us for junior football. Stuart Lustigman offered us use of one of the 3G pitches at the same price which we accepted for 10 weeks. We also accepted Gosling Sports Park also for 10 weeks following the demise of Inter Borehamwood FC. Whereas we had been paying £68 per game at Hatch End, our pitch hire costs rose to £136 per game at The Hive and £140 per game at Gosling. As a result we had to raise our fees to cover the increased expenditure. The usage at both venues was good but we did need extra permits to fulfil both teams’ fixture obligations.

Discipline: We collected a total of 28 cautions, which was 6 up on the previous season. The First Team had 14 and one red card, the Second Team had 11 and the Old Boys 3. Although I realise that cautions are inevitable over the course of the season, I would like team managers to try to drum into players the need for better sportsmanship and respect, especially for the referees. We had too many yellow cards for dissent which are the cautions I find unacceptable and at £16 a time, players need to keep it zipped.

League fines: With £10 being the overall total for the previous two seasons, the 2011/12 tally of £102 was far too high. The majority of this was down to the Second Team’s deficiencies more than anything. As previously reported, the ineligible players in the very first game amounted to a fair percentage of this amount. Things were going ok until the closing weeks when Adam Glekin’s failure to see to several admin duties incurred over £40 in fines. Both the First Team and Old Boys Team collected £10 in fines. Generally speaking, there are improvements to be made to keep fines to an absolute minimum.

Subs collection: Bearing in mind that we raised fees to £8 per player per game, the First Team collected an average of £75.85 per match compared to £60.62 during the previous season, the Second Team £77.25 compared to £58.87 for 2011/12 and the Old Boys Team £76.91 compared to £66.21. These increased amounts brought in a record total of £5903. Allowing for students and kit washing reductions, I believe that these amounts were satisfactory and I would like to thank all those who collected the subs for bringing in this vital income.

Events: On 11 May, the First Team played another special end-of-season match at Vicarage Road arranged by Lee Fegan. Last year Fortune lost narrowly by 1-0 but on this occasion we won 3-1. The match saw the welcomed return of Ben Isaacs after a year out with cruciate knee ligament damage. We held the 2012 Awards Presentation Lunch on 3 June at the Round Bush in Aldenham, which attracted only 11 people. This included a player’s fiancée plus Mike Shorvon and myself, leaving just only 8 out of 61 Members on the Club’s books who attended. Over 50% down on last season’s lunch, which was very disappointing, of the 8 players present, one came from the Old Boys and none from the Second Team. Thanks go to Lee for at least getting some First Teamers there.

Equipment: Towards the end of 2011, the First Team suffered a blow kit-wise when the Daniel Stewart & Co kit, in which they won the MSFL Division 2 championship, was stolen whilst in the possession of First Teamer Matt Gilbery. The Club purchased a replacement kit virtually in the same style and Gilbery reimbursed £400 of the cost in three installments. The Second Team and Old Boys Team wore the all-red and all-yellow kits respectively, both sponsored by Ellis & Co. Due to playing at the 3G at The Hive, which runs adjacent to the Jubilee Line, we stocked up on footballs but didn’t lose too many overall. I intend to purchase three new kit bags for next season and to replenish the first aid kits.

Training: Lee Fegan and jack Morris ran training both at Mill Hill Park in the summer and then at London Maccabi at Rowley Lane where we hired a third of their excellent 3G pitch under floodlights. Attendance figures were good at Mill Hill Park and started ok at London Maccabi but then fell away as winter approached. Of the 20 weeks originally booked, we made the decision to cancel training after 15 weeks which cost the Club £600. Training income fell short but not significantly. Ultimately numbers from the First Team dwindled but the situation was not helped by the general lack of support from Second Team players.

Conclusion: Despite a few admin problems previously outlined, and considering the increase in expenditure, I would say that we had a fairly good season admin-wise and covered our costs efficiently. In this respect, I would like to thank everyone who helped collect weekly subs and training fees and for the general cooperation of most individuals throughout the season.”

The First Team Secretary (Lee Fegan):
“With the news of Andy Souber stepping down as first team manager last season, I knew that it was not going to be an easy pre-season for me and the Team. Thankfully I was heavily involved in running the first team for the last few seasons so I knew what to expect in being the first team manager. I feel that with every game I take as manager, I learn more and more and the hunger is still there to take this team to another level. 

As we were Second Division champions, a lot of teams were looking at us with great expectations to see what we would do this season.  Unfortunately, we lost a lot of keys players at the beginning of the season who helped us win the title last year, i.e. Scott Shindler, David Gance, Dan Nissan and Ben Issacs (though injury) just to name a few.  So we had to bringing in a lot of new faces (over 8 players) from keeper to striker.  Some of our new faces hit the ground running and others took some time but seemed to slowly come together towards the end of the season. 

My main aim was to always to steady the ship and make sure we remained in the First Division in our first year which we did. We got some great results this season and looked pretty comfortable sitting mid table until Montana decided to fold. We took six points off them but as they had only played under 75% of the games, all points were rescinded and as teams below them had lost to them, this meant that we had now been drawn into a relegation battle which we fought our way out of deservedly. Hopefully we will retain a majority of our players from last season and add new players where we need strengthening. I have already started planning for next season and looking forward to new challenges which will come our way. 

On a personal note, I would like to thank Jack Morris who did a fantastic job as assistant manager this season.  Sadly Jack is stepping down from his role as he has recently become a dad to baby Noah who I am sure you will all join me by wishing Jack, Sophie and his family loads of Mazels. He is not leaving the club but feels that being a father will take most of his time and would be unfair to the club to continue as Assistant manager, knowing that he will not being be able to dedicate all his time and effort to the club.  Thank you very much Jack. I enjoyed working with you during every match apart from the Brixton match.”

The First Team Administration Secretary (Jack Morris):
“This was my first season as part of the management team at TFFC, and I believe it went pretty well. Subs were paid on a regular basis by the majority of the first team, and it was very rare that we didn’t collect enough each week to cover costs. Of course there was the odd occasion where someone didn’t have enough but this was usually rectified the week after.

One area that was disappointing however was training. Nigel, Lee and myself went to great measures to ensure training was laid on at a fantastic venue for a reasonable fee, and on the night of the week everyone wanted it. Unfortunately however, only a select few turned up regularly so we were forced to cancel the last stage of training which was a great shame.

On the pitch, our main objective was to survive in Division One and we did this. It should have been more comfortable but due to us losing six points because of Montana Boca folding, we were a bit worried towards the end! However the team showed great spirit and determination to come through the season safely. We also had a decent cup run in the Peter Morrison Trophy, only ended by defeat to the beaten finalists Brady of the Premier Division.

As much as I loved every minute this year, it is with great regret that I must stand down from my role due to the birth of my first child in May. I know I cannot commit 100% to the smooth running of the club and feel it is unfair on Lee and Nigel if I can’t put my all into the job. I will of course be around to support Lee if needed and will try and attend as many matches as possible!”

The Second Team Secretary (Terry Jeffries):
“Temple Fortune B started very well at the start of the season with big expectations, with a large squad all wanting to play week in week out, and it was very hard to keep everyone happy. After a few weeks of trying to keep everyone happy, it became difficult to win games and keep the squad happy so I gave a few players the ultimatum to stay and be sub players or give them the option to leave. We released two players who would not have got a game. We played a non-registered player (Joey Glynne) in our team in the first game, which clearly back-fired.

All in all, our season was much more competitive then the previous season but it was a difficult task keeping some of the older members happy, and I had a number of difficulties with them. I've enjoyed my first season and hope to make next season better by recruiting younger and fitter players to enhance our chances of winning with a mix of some of the older and experienced players there.”

The Old Boys Team Secretary (David Goldberg):
“I'd like to start my report for the 2011/12 season on a positive note for a change. I felt in the second half of the season (2012) there was a great improvement in our overall team play. We had some great results in beating EDRS and Hendon Harriers in the League, especially as we had lost heavily to both those teams in the first half of the season.

We were very unlucky in the cup. After producing a very good performance in beating a strong Marshside team, we were desperately unlucky to lose the semi-final. A terrible goalkeeping error in the first minute followed by a number of easy scoring chances wasted afterwards, cost us the game. Even our opponents EDRS said we were very unlucky to lose.

The addition of John Dubiner to the squad made a big difference to our defence. Also, if Garry Simpson and Andrew Montlake can play on a regular basis together with a couple of new signings (hope to get Geoff Isaacs back) we should be challenging in the top half of the division rather than near the bottom which I felt didn't reflect our true status.

What also helped in the second half of the season, was that we didn't have to use as many guest players and I felt that this improved the team spirit. Let's hope we can get a good start this time to the new season, and then who knows!?”
Management Committee, 2012/13
Chairman: Nigel Kyte
Mobile: 0777 323 0477
Email: info@tffc.co.uk
Vice Chairman: Nicholas Waitsman
Email: nicholas@timezoneseurope.co.uk
General Secretary and Acting Treasurer:
Nigel Kyte
Email: info@tffc.co.uk
First Team Secretary: Lee Fegan
Email: lee.fegan@googlemail.com
First Team Administration Secretary: Jonathan Cohen
Email: jonathancohen@pagepersonnel.co.uk
Second Team Secretary: Terry Jeffries
Email: terryjeffries@hotmail.co.uk
Second Team Administration Secretary: Dean Ingram
Email: dean@werentflats.co.uk
Old Boys Team Secretary: David Goldberg
Email: David_Goldberg@eu.omron.com
Old Boys Team Administration Secretary: Hilton Teper
Email: hteper@ymail.com
Website: www.tffc.co.uk
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