Spurs Legends 9-2 Laniado Rabbis XI
Close to three hundred people attended a charity football match in aid of Laniado Hospital on Sunday 11th September. The Rabbis Select XI, a team of Orthodox rabbis representing communities and schools from across the UK, took on the Spurs Legends on a glorious afternoon in North London. The Legends ran out comfortable 9-2 winners, yet the rabbis were far from humiliated against their esteemed opponents. Consisting of former stars of Tottenham Hotspur, the Legends included household names such as Justin Edinburgh, Andy Sinton and Clive Wilson.
Despite getting off to a poor start, conceding a goal in the first minute, the rabbis regrouped and created many chances. Rabbi Pinny Hackenbroch of Woodside Park Synagogue and Rabbi Eliyahu ‘Lollu’ Hibbert, representing the Boys Clubhouse, were on the scoresheet for the rabbis, who also had a late penalty saved by Spurs keeper Gareth Howells.
Rabbis were accepted into the squad on condition that they were football-mad, could play to a decent standard and were willing to raise money from their communities.
In addition to raising over £25,000 for Laniado, which will be used to purchase new medical equipment at the hospital, the event provided a great day-out for families. The Hive, home to Barnet Football Club, hosted the match and a reception was held in their trophy room after the game. The man-of-the-match award was given to Alex Nadler, the Manchester-based rabbi and former youth player at Oldham Athletic and Shrewsbury Town.
‘Lollu’ Hibbert received the award for having raised the most money, over £2,500. Rabbi Nicky Liss, Rabbi of Highgate Synagogue and acting Chair of the Rabbinical Council of the United Synagogue, delivered a short speech after the game.
Rabbi Hackenbroch was delighted with the effect the match had in uniting the spectators. ”It was great to see so many people from different communities come to watch the game”, commented the 42 year-old goalscorer. “Sport is a brilliant way of breaking down barriers between different sections of our community.”
Meanwhile plans are underway for next year’s game.