In the summer of 1995, the players and officials of Maccabi Association London (MAL) decided that they had reached the limits of Sunday football and that a new challenge was required. The Hertfordshire Senior County League was a popular choice, and the club made its debut in the 95/96 season under a new name of MALEX. Four years later the club had made many friends but had narrowly missed out on promotion from Division 1 in each season. During the summer of 1999, the club revised its management structure, and decided to change its name to LONDON MACCABI LIONS, whilst retaining its all-Jewish status. Under the management team of Bobby Fisher and Adam Solomons the 1st team lost only three league games that season as they won the Division 1 and reached the semi-finals of the Aubrey Cup. The club grew into one of the strongest teams in the Premier League but had to wait to land its first major honour in 2007 when Lions beat Metropolitan Police to lift the Herts Centenary Trophy. This was supplemented by the Reserves who were also promoted as champions, in 2002, and made it to three Herts Reserve Cup finals, winning one in 09/10. After a decade in the Herts Premier, in 2009/10 now under the stewardship of Tony Gold and Steve Grenfell, Lions won the Herts Senior County League for the first time in the club’s history, winning promotion to the Spartan South Midlands League in the process. The following season – the club’s first in the South Midlands Division One – they added a second Herts Centenary Trophy beating Letchworth Garden City Eagles 3-2 in the final. Lions were able to go on better in 2012/13, winning the South Midlands Division One title and promotion to the heights of the South Midlands Premier Division. The club also made their debut in the FA Cup, winning 4-0 against Clapton.Now just one league away from semi-professional football, it was a tall order for a team missing a number of players who had departed following promotion, and so 2013/14 saw Lions suffer their first ever relegation at the end of a difficult season. Having steadied the ship, the club decided to return to the Herts Senior County League for 2015/16 in order to rebuild. Seeking to promote a new generation under manager Andy Landesberg, there was immediate reward by winning the Anagram Records Trophy at the end of their first season, with most of the starting XI having come through the club’s massive youth set up. We then achieved an unprecedented treble in winning the league, Centenary Trophy and, for the first time, the Aubrey Cup.The club was welcomed back to Spartan South Midlands League where we have won further honours in the shape of the Division One Cup (2018), Herts Centenary Trophy (2019) and Spring Cup (2021) while threatening to get promotion to the Premier Division before Covid struck.The club was reassigned to the Combined Counties League Division One in the summer of 2021 and we are again targeting promotion to the next step, as well as representing our community with pride.The club was promoted to step 5 in 2021/2022 season On a sun-drenched Bank Holiday Monday at Rowley Lane 5th May 2025, London Lions made history in front of a passionate home crowd, overcoming Wormley Rovers in a tense and thrilling Spartan South Midlands Premier Division play-off final. After a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the Lions held their nerve to win 4-3 on penalties—securing a first-ever promotion to Step 4 of the FA pyramid in the club’s proud history.Having finished the regular season in fourth—just one place and one point above today’s opponents—London Lions showed their quality and determination throughout the play-off campaign. After an impressive away semi-final victory at Cockfosters, they stepped up again in the final, backed by an electric Rowley Lane atmosphere.Wormley Rovers had the game’s first opportunity, but it was the Lions who struck first. A dangerous in-swinging corner from Max Davis caused chaos in the Wormley box. Goalkeeper Carlos Simeon couldn’t deal with the delivery, and as Luke Marshall desperately tried to clear, he only succeeded in heading the ball into the roof of his own net. A dream start for the Lions—1-0.The visitors responded with pressure of their own, forcing Lions’ ever-reliable keeper Nathan Bloohn into two strong saves from Joshua Asiedu and Reece Mosanya. Eventually, Wormley found a way through, with Asiedu finishing neatly into the bottom corner after a smart turn just outside the box. It was a blow—but one this resilient Lions side absorbed with typical composure.Before the break, the home side came close to restoring their lead. Max Davis continued to pull the strings in midfield, first sliding in Daniel Creese, whose shot was saved, before firing a thunderous effort just over the bar after strong hold-up play from Max Kyte.The second half saw both sides battle for control, but chances were few and far between. Wormley had the better of the opportunities late on, but again Bloohn came to the Lions’ rescue with a number of key saves, including a brave block from Erald Desa’s low drive and sharp handling from a Ryan Stevenson curling effort.As full-time approached, London Lions pushed for a winner. Benji Weinberger’s dangerous cross picked out Louie Basso at the back post, but his header went just over—agonisingly close to snatching victory in the dying moments.And so it went to penalties. Under pressure, the Lions showed remarkable calm. After both teams converted their first spot-kicks, Bloohn—heroic all afternoon—made the first breakthrough, saving from George Beattie. Weinberger calmly slotted home to make it 2-1. Further conversions followed, making it 3-2.Then, the nerves took over—both sides missed their next efforts. When Wormley keeper Simeon stepped up and scored, it was down to one final penalty. Enter Jack Mattey. Composed and clinical, he buried the winner with authority—sparking scenes of joy as Rowley Lane erupted.History made. Job done. Step 4, here we come.This achievement represents a landmark moment for London Lions—a club built on togetherness, belief, and ambition. Against a strong Wormley side, the Lions showed courage, character, and class. Congratulations to the entire squad, coaching team, and supporters—your club is now a Step 4 team.

Spartan South Midlands League Division One
Winners 2012/13
Spartan South Midlands League Division One Cup
Winners 2017/18
Runners-Up 2018/19

Spartan South Midlands League Spring Cup
Winners 2020/21
Anagram Records Trophy (Capital Counties Trophy)
Winners 2015/16

Herts FA Senior Centenary Trophy
Winners 2006/07, 2010/11, 2016/17, 2018/19
Runners-Up 2017/18
Herts Senior County League Premier Division
Winners 2009/10, 2016/17
Runners-Up 2008/09

Herts Senior County League Division One
Winners 1999/00

Aubrey Cup
Winners 2016/17

Spartan South Midlands League Reserve Challenge Trophy
Runners-Up 2010/11

Herts Senior County League Reserve Division One
Runners-Up 2004/05

Herts Senior County League Reserve Division Two
Winners 2001/02

Club Records

Record Win: 14-2 v Bedmond (2010/11, Herts County Premier Div.)

Record Defeat: 1-11 v Cockfosters (2013/14, South Midlands Prem. Div.)

Most Appearances in Career: Adam Myeroff (507)

Most Goals in Career: Austin Lipman (210)

Most Goals in a Season: 46, James Gershfield 2017/17

Most Goals in a Game: 6, Adam Bolle v Broadfields United (W 6-3), SSMFL Div 1, 2017/18

Best Performance in FA Cup 1st Qualifying Round, 2013/14

Best Performance in FA Vase: 5th Round Proper, 2024/25

Highest Home Attendance: 409 v Wormley Rovers 2024/2025 playoff final )


7	Welwyn Garden City	24	14
8	Haringey	23	14
9	Thame Utd	22	11
10	London Lions	22	16
11	Beaconsfield Town	21	16
12	Waltham	20	11
13	Biggleswade	20	13

London Lions

Match Outlook

Division One Central