Minutes from the meeting of the Cardiff Maccabi Football Club, Cardiff, 1969

Description

Minute book entry from the Cardiff Maccabi Football Club meeting held at the Cathedral Road Youth Centre in Cardiff in (probably) December 1969 - 'Maccabi' referring to a Jewish Organisation with its mission to "Promote Jewish Identity through Sport" [source: http://www.maccabi.com.au/NSW/Page/335/About-Maccabi-NSW/Maccabi-History.cfm].

The individual entries in the book primarily follow the formula of: date, members present, agenda, minutes, correspondence, the treasurer's' report, matches and elections. However, there are variations as the entries continue over the years, with more pressing matters taking priority. For this entry, Mr Stanley Soffa (Secretary) reported that he had written to Maccabi Union regarding a grant for cup matches in London. Mrs L. Felman had purchased a hamper which was to be presented to Len Williams as a Christmas gift - those present at the meeting were asked to donate to the cost. The resignation of Mr H. Harris was also discussed, and Mr S. Soffa gave his reason for offering his own resignation (these consisted of criticisms of the Team Manager – Mr L. Felman). After a heated argument, the manager addressed the meeting. He felt that his integrity was being questioned.

The Maccabi Union Great Britain is the more commonly used shorter name of the Union of Maccabi Associations in Great Britain. Similarly to its counterparts across the globe, it exists 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 [source: https://aim25.com/cgi-bin/vcdf/detail coll_id=14836&inst_id=118&nv1=search&nv2=].

In 1969, Stanley Soffa and Adrian Freedman travelled to London to submit an application, so their Cardiff Football Club would be allowed to join the Maccabi Southern Football League - it was accepted. The team finished 3rd in the 1970/71 season and were promoted, but at the annual general meeting there was discussion about joining the Cardiff Sunday League, which had been founded by a group of individuals (not Jewish) who got together in late August 1970. After a hard struggle with the City Council and the South Wales Football Association, they were later given permission to commence matches in early October 1970 [source: Cardiff Maccabi Football Club. Doc].

Depository: Glamorgan Archives.