In the wake of the events of 7 October, and particularly given the deafening silence from the English grassroots clubs, I felt compelled to write a letter to all the clubs we’ve visited over the years.
You can read the letter here:
In the morning of Saturday, October 7th, the Hamas terrorist organization launched a murderous attack on settlements in the Gaza periphery in southern Israel. Hamas terrorists, along with Gaza civilians filled with hatred, carried out killings, assaults, and kidnapped innocent civilians, including the elderly (some of them Holocaust survivors), women, and vulnerable infants. On that day, more than 1,400 soldiers and civilians were killed, and over 229 civilians were kidnapped. The horrors that occurred on that day will be etched in the hearts of the people of Israel and all those who cherish life in the world.
Since then, Israel declared war on the Hamas organization and promised to dismantle its power and military capabilities to ensure the safety of its citizens.
In the past decade, I visited England several times as part of the "Cindrella Men Tours" project. This was a lifetime project aimed at visiting as many football clubs from lower leagues as possible and bringing back to Israel some of the culture and traditions that English football, especially at these levels, offers. We were received with great honor by over 50 clubs across the country, always emphasizing our Israeli identity, and we made sure to leave a gift for their hospitality in the form of a flag and plaque bearing the event, proudly displaying the flag of Israel and the title "Ambassadors of Goodwill."
To my regret and astonishment, not a single club bothered to issue even a single condemnation of this murderous attack, and your social media pages remained completely silent, in deafening silence. There are no words to describe the disappointment of this silence and the fact that you also disregarded all the values that "the beautiful game" is supposed to stand for.
English football had many Israeli fans, especially in the Premier League. Due to the lack of solidarity, many of them canceled their subscriptions and their memberships in the fan clubs. Some even removed tattoos bearing the symbol of their beloved team.
Unfortunately, due to the steps you have taken, I can no longer continue the Cinderella project. I no longer feel safe in the company of organizations like yours, which couldn't muster even a minimal condemnation for such a heinous act.
I hope you can awaken and understand that your actions bring upon you the actions we experienced here, in places like Devon, Essex, Yorkeshire, Somerset, London and other peaceful locations in the kingdom.
Bath City Football Club
Official Buxton Football Club
Soham Town Rangers FC
Ivor Heller
Manda Rigby