On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the scene was set, for the first time in living memory (well at least in the living memory of the U9s), a team formed with representatives from both Belsize Square and Alyth Gardens headed out onto the pitch in the knowledge that a victory in that afternoon’s match against the North-West London Jets would ensure that Alyth Belsize U9s would become league champions 2011/12!

So, with the bit between their teeth and words of encouragement still ringing in their young ears, out they strode with glory on their minds!

Before I give you the result (we won BTW!) let me introduce you to the boys and management team from the Belsize Square side of the team. In the centre of midfield, running up and down the pitch like a young Patrick Viera, is the team captain Max Cutner. Up front are Alex ‘The Rocket’ Godfrey and Rufus Colman-Deveney, with defensive duties falling to Ben ‘Chopper’ Hurst and Oliver Abrahams. And between the sticks our superstar goalkeeper, Jake ‘The Cat’ Brass!

The team is managed by two further Belsize ‘boys’, Simon Cutner and Phil Godfrey.

Back to the match ... the team were magnificent, and those of you who have been following the team’s progress in the back pages of the popular press, well the Jewish News, will already know that they won the game 8 - 1!

So, with a game still to play, your shul team are officially the Maccabi Under 9 CHAMPIONS!! And what’s more, we have also reached the final of the U9 cup so could even end the season double winners! And that’s not all... In June we embark upon our first European tour, with a place in the largest Jewish football tournament in Europe, ‘Jom Havoetbal’, to be held in Amsterdam.

A big congratulations to the entire Alyth Belsize squad (and in particular to the boys and management team from BELSIZE SQUARE)! We are all very proud of you.

Back row: Phil Godfrey (Assistant Manager) Eli Jay, Eden Cohen, Lior Solomons-Wise, Jake Brass, Asher Hayes, Alex Godfrey, Simon Cutner (Manager)

Front row: Oliver Abrahams, Rudy Berman, Rufus Colman-Deveney, Max Cutner, Gabriel De Leuw, Ben Hurst.