Hi,
It is done and closed from this Thursday, according to the the judge decision – Hapoel Jerusalem Football club assocation is closed due to the debts it is in. It was removed from Israel football association league on 26 of August last year, but had extension to try and arrange the money.
It was founded in 1926, what made in one of the oldest club in Israel. The main achievement was a 3rd place in the top Iseali league on 1972/3 and the Israeli state cup tiltle on the same year.
The club was owned by the buissnesman Yosi Sasi and Victor Yona who let it drop from the top Israeli football league to the fifth league (out of 6).
I have nothing against their financial management, I don’t think it is fair to ask them to invest (better say donate) more money than they already had. The problem was they have refused to release it to other investors, and even to a group of fans that wish to buy it. The main reason were the team training field in Kiryat Yuvel, which is a high value piece of land
Just like any other kid growing up in Jerusalem, I thought I fan of Beitar Jerusalem. I even been to one or two matches (I remember sitting on top of east tribune when Beitar lost 5:1 to Benfica Lisbon). While a kid or two in class were fans of Hapoel Jerusalem. It was only when my little brother, Nathan, started playing in the kids team of Hapoel we realized it fits are much more than Beitar.
It was the underdog of the Jerusalem, and had communist roots (an agenda I was connected to in my youth).
He didn’t play there for long, and left to scouts activity. We do remember how his coach used to shoot on him he turns around like a semi-trailer
Since 2009 we have Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem. We hope will come back to be Hapoel Jerusalem, but who knows? Maybe will stay Hapoel Katamon Jerusalem 😉
Today Jannaeus and I went to see our team lossing 3:1 to Maccabi Petah Tikva, the leader of the league which will probably play in the major league.
Take Care
Gad
Nathan Hapoel Jerusalem jersey I still wear to Hapoel Katamon Matches