Community celebrates Boreham Wood FC’s stunning FA Cup victory

It’s a mere 10 miles from Boreham Wood FC’s modest Meadow Park ground to Wembley Stadium. But ever since the Hertfordshire club was founded back in 1948, those shining spires and dreams of FA Cup glory might as well have been 10,000 miles away. That was until Sunday, when the National League side stunned Championship team Bournemouth in the FA Cup, with a nail biting 1-0 victory.

The Wood overcame their south-coast rivals, who are 74 places above them, and will now travel to Premier League giants Everton in the fifth round.

Celebrating the local side’s success, Elstree and Borehamwood United Synagogue’s rabbi Alex Chapper said the whole community is “pleased for the club, we have a number of members who support them”.

He added however, that “we won’t be making a special prayer for them because last time, when they were hoping for promotion, we did – and they didn’t win!”

The rabbi commented “we live very close to the stadium and always hear the crowd cheering when they score – it’s usually during Shabbos lunch”. He praised the “fantastic achievement which shows us what’s possible when you dream big and work hard together as a team. I’d like to wish them continued success in their next game and hope they can go all the way to Wembley”

Sam Franklin, chair of shul, which became the UK’s largest Jewish community in 2015, wished “mazeltov to the Wood!”

“We were all on the edge of our seats as Boreham Wood held on for a famous victory. I know everyone connected with our community was so proud of the performance and we can’t wait to see how the boys do against Everton.”

Meanwhile, Yavneh College said it was “particularly delighted” the Wood were victorious, after the club’s manager, Luke Gerrard, and its chairman, Danny Hunter, recently brought the FA Cup into school and spoke to pupils about their journey.

“May of our pupils are supporters and we are thinking about what we might do to show our support in the next round”, the school said.

Borehamwood Labour Councillor Jeremy Newmark, who attended the game with a Boreham Wood kippah on, said: “It was a huge privilege to have been there as part of the Wood Army – bringing together all sections of our local diverse community.

“I took particular pride in seeing pupils from our three local secondary schools, Hertswood Academy, Yavneh College and Elstree Screen Arts unified on the terraces in Bournemouth.

“The entire local community takes pride in the achievements of ‘The Wood!.”

The club has not conceded a goal in their five matches in the FA Cup, and the historic win means an unbeaten run of 17 games in all competitions, with the best defensive record in the top five leagues – behind Premier League leaders, Manchester City.

• If you were at the game, we’d love to see your pictures and hear about the experience! Get in touch: Editorial@jewishnews.co.uk