David Wolff - Chairman of the MGBSFL

This article launches a new series of written pieces about the community's Jewish sport opportunities and the stories of the people who have worked hard to create them.

This piece features the story of David Wolff written in his own words. David has chaired the Maccabi GB Southern Football League (MGBSFL) for over 50 years and is broadly regarded as a true legend of Jewish football. David has shown immense passion and commitment over the years, shaping today’s football opportunities within the community. Read his story below:

I grew up in the East End of London in an area known as Forest Gate and attended Stratford

Grammar School. After my Bar Mitzvah in 1957 I joined the local Youth Club, Ivri Maccabi and it was not very long before I played an active role.

The club formed an Under 16 team and I was asked to be their manager. I jumped at this opportunity and although not a prolific footballer I very much enjoyed the involvement. My family had always supported West Ham United, so it was the obvious choice to do the same and eventually obtained a season ticket that I held for 58 years supporting them through thick and thin.

I graduated from the Under 16 team Management and was asked to join the leagues Management Committee in December of 1963 as its registration Secretary. I then became its Vice Chairman mainly organising the league’s fixtures and in 1970 became its chairman. A role I play to this very day.

During this time, I have seen the league grow to its peak of 65 teams and although in line with the National trend it has now reduced in numbers. I would like to think I played a big part in the development especially with the promotion of the Representative Matches during a period where they held keen interest particularly in the County Inter League Cups. I instituted many individual awards that get presented on an annual basis. I am proud that I was able to lead this organisation for all these years.

I also got involved with the National Maccabi Football Competition, firstly with the Leslie Luck Cup and then the Peter Morrison Trophy which was a competition that was opened to non-Maccabi affiliated football teams. This proved to be a great success.

I also served on the National Executive Committee of Maccabi Union (GB) and also as its Hon. Sports Director.During my years of involvement, I attended Maccabiah’s in Israel and also European Maccabi Games. All of these gave me great satisfaction.

I was co-opted on to the Council of the London Football Association in 1970 on the then Sunday Section of Division 6. Over the years, I have served on various committees including Finance and also Disciplinary Commissions, many of which I chaired. When the London FA was incorporated as a Company, I served on the first board of Directors as Vice Chairman and am now the President of the London FA.

One of the most satisfying periods of my life was to serve as Financial Representative of my

Synagogue at West Ham & Upton Park Shul which I did for 20 years.

I have always been an individual who was willing to contribute and from this I have derived much satisfaction and recommend that the readership tries it.