The Municipality of Haifa inaugurated a street named after the late Yonatan (Johnny) Hardy | Israel Hayom

The municipality of Haifa continues to pay respect to the city's legendary past players, and this morning (Wednesday) a street was named after the former player and coach, the late Yonatan (Johnny) Hardy (1934-2017).

Haifa Mayor Einat Kalish Rotem, President of the Maccabi Haifa Club, Yaakov Shahar, member of the city council, Nir Shuber, former players, the youth team, family members and friends participated in the festive ceremony that took place near the Sami Ofer municipal stadium.

Hardy, born in Haifa, played for Maccabi Haifa and made over 200 appearances in the league and the state cup - in which he scored 91 goals.

After retiring from football at the age of 34, Hardy worked for decades in the club's youth department and nurtured generations of players.

The youth department of Maccabi Haifa is named after him.

The late Yonatan (Johnny) Hardy. Shem Devar in the city of Haifa, photo: Maccabi Haifa, official website

Kalish Rotem: ""He who dedicated his life to playing and coaching football, Hardy will be commemorated in the Naot Peres neighborhood, alongside a distinguished line of people from the field of Haifa sports. Inaugurating the street in his name is the city's humble way of thanking Johnny, in my name and in the name of all the city's residents, for His work and contribution over the years."

Shahar: "In my youth I used to come to Maccabi Haifa games, at a time when Johnny starred as a player.

Even then I liked the team's offensive game and this is the legacy that accompanies us to this day, this is our motto.

We try to apply the good we learned from Johnny and his friends.'

Hardy's home, Niva Katz: "The main hero of this exciting day is our father, who is all about modesty, humility, honor and pride."

Father educated entire generations of actors according to the phrase that was always in his mouth: 'the person before the actor'.

He was a symbol of fairness in sports, from the generation that catapulted Maccabi Haifa to the top of Israeli football."

A street initiation named after the late Yonatan (Johnny) Hardy, photo: Reuven Cohen, spokeswoman for the Municipality of Haifa

A street initiation named after the late Yonatan (Johnny) Hardy, photo: Reuven Cohen, spokeswoman for the Municipality of Haifa

A street initiation named after the late Yonatan (Johnny) Hardy, photo: Reuven Cohen, spokeswoman for the Municipality of Haifa

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