Tributes have been flooding in for FC Team coach Peter Moss who died in the Marrakesh cafe blast on Thursday.
Moss (pictured back row, second from right), 59 and from London, was one of 15 people who was killed by an activated remote bomb at Djemma el-Fna square in the city?s old quarter.
A former pupil at Hasmonean School, Luton Town supporter Moss, a father of two, wrote for the JC's travel pages for many years.
His passing came just days after FC Team were promoted into the Premier Division for the first time.
He was the club's fitness coach a played a key role in helping them move into the Middlesex County League.
He was also a big supporter of Maccabi GB and was a regular on trips to Israel.
Share your memories of Peter Moss
'Peter was my true inspiration. I have known Pete since I was nine and being best friends with Gideon over the years have got to know him and what a unique and wonderful man he was. After leaving university we set up FC Team in London and Gids told me his dad was still playing. I couldn't believe it when I saw how fit and sharp he was. He put me and all my players to shame lasting for the full 90 minutes and not even breaking a sweat.
I then appointed Pete as President of FC Team and for a number of years he would be influential in moving the club forward. In arranging various sponsorships, moving the club into the Middlesex County League and various charitable events. Pete was the reason and the senior voice behind FC Team and without him we would not have been a success. Nothing was ever too much for him. I have asked him to help me and the club out on numerous occasions and he always would without question. He believed in mine and Gids' vision for the club and Jewish football and he was constantly encouraging and supporting us. He then became our fitness coach. Every Thursday we would meet at Willesden Athletics track and he would use his experience in athletics to put us through an amazing one-hour session. All the players loved it even though they couldn't walk the next day!
Pete always led the sessions with a smile on his face and a joke ready to be told no matter if we had two training or 20 it didn't matter. He was so happy to be helping us. His coaching played a major role in getting us prepared for our first even appearance in a cup final last season (London FA Junior Cup) and five promotions in five seasons in the MSFL.
Pete used to always be amazed how passionate I was about Jewish Football and FC Team but the truth is it all came from him. He was always going on trips to various Maccabiahs and playing Masters football and always always promoted Jewish football. Whenever I was not sure about a decision he would always say, "Mitch go for it". He always spoke with so much enthusiasm about us and he believed in me. All the players admired him and respected Pete and we all looked at him thinking maybe we can still be playing football when we are nearly 60.
We would speak regularly on the phone about players, football, Maccabi League affairs or club finances and he would always give me his honest and considered opinion on everything, and after our conversations he would always end with a joke. We got on so well and I believe it was our passion about FC Team that saw us become firm friends. We were on the same wave-length and he guided me through a number of important decisions in my life. He was there for every major part of my life and attended my wedding last year. He was a lovely, kind, warm hearted man. He was a true people's person.
I don't know how the club will move forward without him as he played such a major role within the club, but we will continue and will make him proud playing in the MSFL Premier League next season which was his dream as well as mine.
The players and everyone connected with the club are still in shock but I appreciate all the messages and well wishes.
The club will be organising a memorial match and the details will be announced shortly.
I considered Pete to be a friend and family member. He played a massive role in my life for a number of years and I loved him very much. He treated me like a second son and I treated him like a second dad.
We will never forget.' Mitch Young (FC Team chairman and manager)
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'PETER MOSS (b. 29.09.51) was an exceptional multi-talented person who spanned many disciplines from travel writer, stand-up comedian, broadcaster, novelist, Maccabiah athlete, football coach and player, even at the age of 59. He supported many charitable causes and was involved in a project coaching kids in Africa. He latterly played in the Maccabi Masters Football League and participated in a number of Israel tours with the league. His highly amusing report on the 2003 tour was published in the pages of FourFourTwo magazine alongside features on Zinedine Zidane, Sven-G�ran Eriksson, Steven Gerrard and Gennaro Gattuso. Those of us lucky enough to have been mentioned in the article will always be indebted to Peter for elevating us among such illustrious football superstars and giving us our 15 minutes of fame. Peter maintained an incredible high level of fitness visiting the gym almost daily and for many hours. Most people did not realise that his rigorous routine was masking life threatening ailments of which he never complained but always maintained a philosophical attitude towards his life expectancy. It was, therefore, ironic that he should lose his life in such tragic circumstances. Just a few months ago I invited him to join our forthcoming Maccabi Masters football tour of Israel to which he responded, "Organise a masters' tour for old geezers with no more than a 50/50 chance of making it through the night and I'm there!" So typically, Peter. I was very fortunate to have known him and I will always remember him for his individuality and unique personality. My thoughts go out to Susan, Lucy, Gideon and family. Stuart Lustigman (Chairman of the Maccabi Masters Football League)
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'I have known Peter for over 40 years and to say that he was a great character is an understatement. Peter played, coached and managed in the Maccabi (Southern) Football League during this time and had a great sense of humour and a mischievous streak. He will be sadly missed by his devastated family and by those of us who were privileged to have come into contact with him. I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of you all, to wish his family and all the mourners ?long life'. David Wolff (Chairman of the Maccabi (Southern) Football League)
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'Maccabi GB President, Vice Presidents,Chairman and Board of Directors and staff are shocked and saddened at Peters cruel and untimely death. Peter participated in many Maccabi GB programmes including coaching young people at our after-school clubs. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family. Martin Berliner (CEO Maccabi GB)
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'Sometimes in life you meet someone who just inspires you. Peter was this man. He was as charming as he was charismatic and would have you hanging on his every word. It is difficult to put into perspective how much one person can impact on so many people around them, but I think from these tributes you can begin to understand just how well loved he was.
I have known Pete for many years having played for FC Team for six seasons. Peter Moss, as club President, was crucial in moving FC Team from Jewish football to the Middlesex County League and without him, it simply would not have happened. I remember in our first season we managed to stay in the division on the last day of the season with a draw, and it was his fitness sessions which kept us in the league. In true Peter style, he came out that evening with the team and celebrated with us. He was also crucial in preparing us for our first cup final at the end of last season and he was extremely proud to see us get that far.
I know Gid and Mitch are proud that he saw the club move into the MSFL Premier League as he was fundamental in establishing the team in Division 5 and watched with great enthusiasm as the club moved up the divisions. The A team will make him even prouder by turning out a great season in the top tier.
I think I can speak for all the players at our club when I say that this club will not be the same without him. We will miss his presence on game days, fitness sessions at Willesden track, his shiny Audi TT convertible but most of all we will simply miss him. This club will play on in his honour and make him proud. A giant amongst men. Paul Kent (FC Team Captain)
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'Having known Pete for years through his involvement with FC Team, I am devastated by this horrific news. Pete was an inspirational person - living life to the max, with such a positive and refreshing outlook on life. He was constantly on the receiving end of my moaning when he worked me far too hard in our fitness sessions and I always appreciated him helping on the sidelines on match days (even a few cameo appearances on the pitch in the early days!). He will be greatly missed and my thoughts go to Gideon and family.' Jonathan Breger
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'I was absolutely devastated when I heard the news about Peter. I had first known Peter from when I was a kid at Rosh Pinah where he was my sports teacher... but I have mainly got to know since I joined FC Team three years ago. He has always been a warm and friendly guy to be around, with great charisma as well as being an inspirational fitness coach. I know he lived life to the full and we all loved him for that. I will miss him greatly and I know all the boys at the club will too. My thoughts are with Gideon and his family. R.I.P Pete :-(' James Korn
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'Peter was an important figure at FC Team and a man who I really admired. He told me some fantastic stories over the years and I have passed off many of his one-liners as my own! My abiding memory of Peter will be him cycling to our games ? shades on, cappuccino in hand, ready to get the boots on and play for the team. His commitment to football and fitness was inspirational ? playing into his 50s with and putting many of the younger lads to shame. Thoughts are with Gideon and the family at this difficult time.' Laurence Judah
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'Peter Moss was simply a 'one in a million' kind of guy. Whoever had the pleasure in meeting him will say the same thing. A very warm person who always greeted me with a smile and a hug. Pete was quite simply an extraordinary human being who's legend will live on forever. My thoughts are with my dear friend Gideon, Lucy and all the family x.' Emile Ben-Atar
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'Although I have only known Peter for a few years, he made such an impression the first time we met. I went training for FC team and wondered why we had such an old guy taking the training sessions. Fast forward two hours and this 'old guy' was not even sweating. I couldn?t believe the fitness of the guy. I don?t think there would be a human being on this world that felt anything but admiration for him. Rest in Peace Pete. My thoughts are with Gids and his family. Andrew Croll
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'Awful, awful news. A real football man and great supporter of our Sunday game.' Jonny Blain
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'Absolute devastated by the news. Pete was my first football coach at school and a great guy - always a pleasure to bump into on the Maccabi League circuit. Thoughts with all the family.' Phil Peters
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'Shocking news, our thoughts are with the family.' Simon Beresford
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'RIP Pete Moss, thank you for all the great times! Your in our hearts forever! Stand tough Gids.' Michael Marks
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'Shocked and saddened to hear the devastating news about Peter Moss. One of the nicest guys you could ever wish to meet. Thoughts are with Gideon, the family and everyone at FC Team.' Dan Cohen
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'All at Redbridge Jewish Care would like to pass on there warmest wishes to all Peters family and friends. Devastating news for such a legend in our Maccabi family.' Adam Hakimi
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'We?ll always remember Peter as a man with refreshingly strong and informed views, and one who could bring humour to everything.' Jeremy Silverstone
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'From Hasmonean Primary and Grammar, through Bar Kochba and the football fields of north London to the inaugural MSFL Masters Israel solidarity tour in 2002, and more recently the touchline, Peter was a funny, witty and engaging friend and companion. I am still reeling from the shock of his terrible passing. He will be truly and sorely missed.' Jeremy Blain
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'Having reffed quite a few of FC Team?s games over the years, I?ll always remember Pete?s calm communication style either with his team or me, as well as him jumping on his bike or running around various fences and hedges to get errant footballs back, always with a smile on his face. Maccabi football has lost a true supporter. Rest in peace.' Andy Myerson
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'When I played for Kinnor, Peter watched and was always very supportive. He would always pay compliments and was a true mensch. I recently saw him ride his bike through St John's Wood and was thinking I wish I was as fit... you've got me riding now Peter! One of life's good men who shall live on in everyone's hearts forever.' Daniel Collett
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'We were involved in very many things together. I appreciate his first love was football, but we would both regularly turn out for Barnet and District Athletics Club. Peter was an accomplished sprinter and jumper. Often he would compete in events just to gain a few extra points for the club. We roomed together for a fortnight in Tel Aviv when I managed our Maccabiah Track & Field team. Peter was always joking and we had a great time. There was also a very serious side to Peter. He worked hard for charities and his outward comedy masked a caring side which ran deep.' Roger Bruck
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'Peter, Peter what a loss to everyone. I was so shocked that you have been taken from us in such a tragic way. You hear every day about terrorist attacks but until you actually know the victim then it really hits home. You were so talented in many areas and always had a lovely temperament. You were always a great sportsman and always encouraging, a great motivator. What a loss. May hashem bless you and all your family should only have good news from now on. Meir Velenski
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'We met Peter two years ago while travelling in the Balkans with his daugher Lucy and son Gideon and all three made a huge impression on us. We kept ending up in same restaurants and cafes in Sarajevo and Peter made an imediate impact with his personality and joy of life. A week later, as we hoped, we ran into them again in Dubrovnik. Although we only had the pleasure of his company for a few hours he was the sort of person you always remember. Deepest sympathies to Lucy and Gideon from Sinead and Tony Bailie (Co Down, Ireland)
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'I was very friendly with Peter when we were both at the Hasmonean Grammar School but have not seen that much of him in the last 10 years. I well remember being in Israel on our Israel tour at 16 and over the years Peter spent so much time there without so match as a scratch. How ironic that he turns up in Marrakesh, goes to a restaurant and is blown up by a terrorist nail bomb. Such a terrible waste of life and denial of all that is good in the world. As Peter might have said: ?We Jews may be paranoid, but it does not mean they are not out there to get us!? Please pass my sincerest condolences to Peter?s family, Lucy and Gideon, brother Michael and sister Judith. May his dear soul rest in everlasting peace.' Michael Bradfield
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'Not to detract from Peter's sporting prowess; to me he was a brilliantly funny man, someone for whom the phrase 'acerbic wit' could have been coined. Shalom Peter - and thanks for the laughs.' Lawrence Cohen
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'I was deeply saddened and shocked by the tragic and senseless killing of my dear friend and classmate. Peter was a talented and highly intelligent man and it was no surprise to me that after curtailing his business life that he became a travel journalist as his two favourite subjects at Hasmonean were Geography and English. Peter was an extrovert and was the classroom clown - popular with his school-mates but not so popular with the teachers. Peter took up comedy and loved performing in public and very recently he compered a charity quiz evening in Elstree which was highly successful which reflected his charitable spirit. My heart goes out to his children and family and although it is so unfair that a person that had so much to give has had his journey cut short, my memories of his wit and humour will remain with me forever. He will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him.' Ralph Kossman
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'Very saddened by this tragic news. I had not seen or heard of Peter since 5th form Hasmo over 40 years ago, but still remember his cheeky smiling face as a boy.
My deepest sympathies go out to his family. Zalmi Unsdorfer
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'I was utterly shocked to hear the tragic news about Peter. Like many others I remember him well from the Hasmonean, in the good old days when the school was a mixed bunch of interesting people from across the spectrum of Jewish life. Peter was something of a rebel and very well liked by his classmates, especially for his fearless ability to take on authority. I had the honour of being his team-mate on a few long-jump events where he was always the leading man! I know he gave huge pleasure to many, not only through his work, but also through his sunny disposition and generous welcoming spirit. He will be hugely missed and always fondly remembered by all who ever had the good fortune to know him. My thoughts and wishes for long life go to all his family. Shalom.' Maurice Lawson
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'I knew Peter Moss at JAMI where he facilitated discussions about books and music. He was very good at this and he will be much missed. He had a rare talent in making everybody seem very important.' Nick Landau
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'Peter left us doing what he loved best: watching the world go by and soaking up the beauty and quirks of our planet and its people. Sipping sweet mint tea whilst enjoying the grandstand view of the Jemaa el Fna, one of the most breathtaking arenas in the world, comes high on every serious traveller's must-do list. As fellow travel junkies, travel writers and brothers in arms in the hopeless lower leagues of football, Peter and I had spent time watching the world go by just days before he'd left for Morocco ? arguing over the merits of Nepal, the Po delta and Budapest, not forgetting Luton and Wimbledon (football clubs). Peter's doctors had grounded him from his planned trip to the Himalayas, but nothing was going to stop him ? melanoma, a collapsed lung, the relatively fresh mental scars of the suicide bombing he'd survived in Israel ? from enjoying this sortie. 'Catch you further on down the trail,' (quoting The Stranger in The Big Lebowski) were Peter's last emailed words to me.' Fabio Perselli
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'Devastated to hear of the death of my dear friend, Peter Moss, just a couple of days after seeing him. To quote Peter on Peter, more 'a human doing' than a 'human being'. We met four and a half years ago, and formed an unbreakable bond. We also shared a liking for Leonard Cohen - Peter, Our Steps Will Always Rhyme (Leonard Cohen, Hey That's No Way to Say Goodbye).' Ros Stone
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'Peter was my neighbour for 18 years. A creative, humorous and fun person. He climbed mountains, travelled oceans and engaged in anything that was a challenge and dangerous in the pursuit of fulfilling his constant and unabounding energy. To have his life abruptly terminated in such a callous and brutal way has left his whole local and wider community dumbstruck.. My family's thoughts and prayers are with his children and family and with all those families who have lost loved ones in this outrage.' Robert Zeffman
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'In the photo I instantly recognised Peter Moss as a man I saw do a brilliant stand up comedy stint some 20 years ago. I?m a fan of live comedy and have seen some great comedians in great places, yet clearly remember this very low key gig in a small nightclub in Ilford as amongst the most enjoyable. One of his jokes was amongst the funniest I?ve ever heard, which I?ve repeated (though not done justice to) for the last two decades. Such sad news.' Scott Wallman
'I could not believe it when my brother in england asked me if i heard about Peter. I was so shocked. We learnt at primary and grammer school together. Even when I went on aliyah we were in Israel together. Peter had just got engaged to Susan and needed a break with me before settling down. I still remember all the pranks we got up to - in and out of school. Obviously we lost contact over the years but a good friendship can never be forgotten.' David Landsman
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'A top writer, football man, coach and family man. Dignified and dedicated in everything he did. Thoughts with Gideon and everyone at FC Team.' Danny Caro
Share your memories of Peter Moss. Email your tribute to dcaro@thejc.com
Source: http://www.thejc.com/sport/sport-news/48372/tributes-peter-moss
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