Division Two champions become latest Jewish football club to fold

Last season’s Division Two champions L’Equipe has become the latest club to fold from Jewish football.

Set up 11 years ago, the team crowned their tenth anniversary last season by winning the Division Two title – their only piece of silverware, though have endured a horrid start to the season, which included having to postpone yesterday’s game against Oakwood B as they were unable to raise a side.

A statement from the club released on Monday afternoon, said: “It is with regret that the Management Board of L’Equipe FC announces that the club is folding halfway through its 11^th season.

Get The Jewish News Daily Edition by email and never miss our top stories Free Sign Up

“It has become increasingly difficult week on week to field a team due to a combination of factors including injuries and general life commitments from many in what is now an ageing squad!

“It is a sad day for the club, but we will all look back on some superb memories, through the good times and the bad. From a team of whippersnappers fresh out of University in 2006 to a team of balding, fattened, ankle/knee support wearing fathers, we’ve really come a long way. Of course, winning our first (and only!) piece of silverware last season, the Division Two League Title, will always be remembered.

“The club gives great thanks to everyone who has been involved in the club, particularly all of our six managers and those that have kept the club ticking behind the scenes.

“The club also thanks the MSFL Committee for thanklessly (excluding this particular sentence) keeping the league going. We really do hope that the league goes from strength to strength.

“Wishing all the teams the best of luck for the rest of the season. Hopefully we will see you in the Masters.”

Watch: L’Equipe crowned Division Two champions:

This season has been a struggle for them, with them losing six of their eight league games and drawing the other two, leaving them rock-bottom of the Division One table.

Nick Stern, who managed the team to the Division Two title last season, said: “I must say how proud I am to have managed such a brilliant club.

“We experienced the ultimate high of winning the league last year but this club was so much than trophies. Every one of the ten years was filled with the ultimate joy of playing football with your mates and without the dedication of mark singer, Jules Bohm, Josh Lewis and David Prager none of this would have been possible

“It is a heart wrenching decision to fold this club especially after the success of last year but the simple truth is that when you get to over 30 you have new priorities and getting a team together each week was an almost impossible task.

“However, there are a core group that would love to continue playing so if any club in any division are interested in 6/7 committed players then please let me know directly.

“I will end by once again thanking the committee of L’equipe who has led this club for 10.5 unbelievable years.

“North West London/ west hendon playing fields/ old fincholian cricket ground will always bleed orange! Viva L’Equipe forever.”

Support your Jewish community. Support your Jewish News

Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.

For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.

Read more

Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.

You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.

100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...

Engaging

Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.

Celebrating

There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.

Pioneering

In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.

Campaigning

Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.

Easy access

In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.

Voice of our community to wider society

The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.

We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.

Help us here