VfL Bückeburg....The Final Chapter

Well they finally managed it. The team I really took to my heart ended up shafting me. Not for the first time.

In this final blog I shall point out the incidents, most of them minor, but in the end there was just one too many for me to continue to go there and support the team.

I shall not name individuals, anyone with Google could find this out within 5 minutes anyway.

INCIDENT 1: THE IGNORING

I like to keep myself to myself. I have never stood with other Bückeburg fans, just to ingratiate myself with them, I like to stand where I always do at a football match. To that end, when I am the only away fan, and people recognise you each week, surely a little nod, or "alright?", is ok?
On the same token, I do not expect to be exchanging spit in the shower with someone just because they were wearing a green scarf.
When I go to Romford games, there is none of this animosity. This is possibly a cultural thing, more of which later.

INCIDENT 2: THE MONEY

There was a time I tavelled on the team/supporters coach to away games. At no time was money asked for, even though I thought it a tad strange. At no time in the press, the programme etc was ANY mention of a fare remarked upon.
On the return journey of a game, the captain of the team confronted a man sitting in front of me on the coach, asking where the money was for the team kitty. This was news to me, and having learnt that it was expected that €5 was the norm, I apologised to this man, explaining it was the first of such arrangement I had heard, I offered my fare for the trip. He didn't want any money, which I thought odd.
Because I felt guilty of all the times I had travelled I offered to even the score at the next post-match piss up. He actually said it wasn't necessary, but in the end I bought the team a bottle of booze. A man of my word!

INCIDENT 3: THE MEMBERSHIP

I decided to become a member of the club, paying a fee and hopefully looking foward to taking part in the General Meetings. 
I never attended any of the three meetings during my membership (before I resigned it). The reason? I was never once invited. I learnt of their existence after the even. It's ok though, it was incredibly difficult for the club to contact me, I mean they only had FIVE different mediums to do so.

INCIDENT 4: THE INTERRUPTION

I am a stickler for manners (stop laughing). The one and only time I was chatting to one of the few fans that actually gave me the time of day, a rude oik on the balcony above butted in, and started shouting over the top of me, mid conversation. To the young man in question, who I often see in the town with his family: if you ever see my wife, be sure to thank her. For if it was not for that wonderful lady, the old Graham would have returned and I would have thrown you off the balcony. Even now, when you walk past with your shit eating grin, I would like to teach you manners Romford stylee!

INCIDENT 5: THE RUDE STEWARD

I like to stick to rules and regulations as much as possible. If I know something is taboo, not alloweed etc, I shall do my best to stick to that rule.
At one home game, I was standing behind the goal. Behind the goal is a metal fence, a gate in the middle and a path. There are no spectator facilities, but there are also no signs to say I couldn't stand there. I have stood there before, and no one had been bothered.
On this particular occasion one of the stewards approached me. I realise I may have been in the wrong, but there is a way to speak to people to point this out. The way I was spoken to was an utter disgrace.

INCIDENT 6: THE JOB OFFER

This was the straw that broke the camels back. After a home  game,  we were all having a drink in the club house, when the manager, Assistant manager and two of the staff call me over. They offered me a job (non payment, but I would never have asked for money anyway) of helping out with the team on matchdays. I said yes, we shook hands on it, the manager took my number and said he would be in touch.
A couple of weeks had passed when at an away game, we spoke and he said, "I thought you were coming to (insert away team) on the coach". "No", said I, I never said that. "Did you wish to speak about the job?". "Yes, I'll be touch".
Another fortnight passed and we had our last home game postponed due to the weather. I sent the manager a text saying "When can we talk", Again, a text came back "I'll be in touch". 

Well that was in May. It is now October. He has seen me since then, even shook my hand to say hello, but no other mention has been made. 

Again, maybe a cultural thing, but when two people shake hands on a deal, although not legally binding obviously, I expect a little more. Even if they had decided against offering me the job, let me know. Have the bollocks to contact me, and let me know. Otherwise you just make yourself look like a cunt.

After that incident I became very disillusioned with the club. There were a couple of other things which I found out about people at the club, which did not involve me, but people which have given up their free time and effort, being treated like shit. I think, if the club is willing to do that to hard working supporters then quite frankly I do not wish to be a part of it.

I won't even go into the "marketing" of the club, for that is an absolute clusterfuck, not my problem anymore. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.

Good luck VfL!

The only way is up

1.FC Wunstorf 3 VfL Bückeburg 0 - Oberliga Niedersachsen - Attendance: 350

 I have decided to add a history section in my blog. In fact, this will be a tinkered entry. If you are not interested in the history of the club, just scroll down to the heading "Match Report" and watch me vent my spleen (albeit in a literay sense).

HISTORY

 

Formed in 1913 as VfB Wunstorf.  Due to the outbreak of WWI the club dissolved.

On the 4^th April 1919, the roots of the modern club were formed as Fußballclubs von 1919 Wunstorf

In 1926 work started on the ground, finally being completed by 1928

1927 an new club, “Schwarz-Weiß Wunstorf von 1927“ was formed

1934 both Wunstorf clubs merge under the name of Spielvereinigung Wunstorf von 1919. Club colours were black and white.

1945. At the end of the war us Brits decreed that only one club was allowed in every borough. Why, god only knows. Once again a name change, this time to TSV Wunstorf von 1862. The 1862 was taken from the formation of the gymnastic club formed on 20^th June 1862

In 1950, would you believe it, a second team in Wunstorf was formed, namely  Fußballclubs Rot-Weiß Wunstorf von 1919 e. V

For the season 1950/51 both teams found themselves in the same league.

On the 1^st October 1950 the footballing section of TSV Wunstorf separated and were once again called Spielvereinigung Wunstorf von 1919. Keeping up?

18^th March 1956, the derby between Schwarz-Weiß and  Rot-Weiß Wunstorf drew a crowd of 1000

1961/62 the two clubs tried to merge, however the Rot Weiß side voted 4/5 against it

1964 the club wins promotion to Verbandsliga Niedersachsen Süd, which at the time was the 2^nd highest league in Niedersachsen.

1967 the club finishes 2^nd in the league.

1972 the two clubs FINALLY merge, the name now being 1. Fußball-Club Wunstorf von 1919 e. V.

30th April 1978, the team reach the play-offs for the Amateuroberliga, losing 0-1 aet to SV/MTV Winsen. The team are relegated the next season to the newly formed Landesliga West“.

1980 to 1994 the team bounces between the Bezirksoberliga and in 1993 is relegated to Bezirksliga Nord

1994 the club celebrates its 75^th anniversary

1995 the club builds its club house, for the grand price of 600,000 DM. This they pay all out of their own pocket.

1996 relegation to the Bezirksliga, the lowest placed league in Wunstorf’s history

1998 the 1^st team are promoted to the Landesliga whilst the reserves into the Kreisliga

1999 and the team finishes 7^th in the Landesliga. In July of the same year, the girls team were formed

2000 another double promotion as the first team are promoted to the Niedersachsenliga and the reserves to the Bezirksliga

2002 the team enters its first womens team into a league.

2007 the ladies team are promoted to the Bezirksliga

2009 and the club celebrates its 90^th anniversary with a friendly against the Cuban national team. Result is not recorded on their website.

The club has 380  members. 

MATCH REPORT

Opening game of the 2013/14 Oberliga Niedersachsen season, and we find ourselves away at newly promoted Wunstorf, a mere 47kms away so billed as a "derby". 

Wunstorf play in the BarneArena. I have a massive problem with clubs using "Arena" or "Stadium" for what is little more than a Step 5 ground. If that is the case my old nans garden in Dagenham must have been the Heathway Stadium.

 

 The game plan for this season is high pressing, and swift counter attacks. All very well in theory. But I don't think we won a single ball. In fact, Wunstorf were using the exact same tactic but it was working for them.

Admittedly the first 10 minutes were ok, we even had a couple of half changes from the head of Bubi Bremer, skippering the side in the absence of icon Niko Werner, out injured.

But that was the highlight of our performance. In the 16th minute, the bald shiny pate of Wunstorf player Sebastian Schirrmacher waltzed through the pathetic attempts of two of our "defenders" to slot past Spilker in the goal.

One of our defenders

 After 36 minutes, a clumsy challange from Nils Rinne in the box, and Leutrim Kabashi strokes the ball home on his debut for 2-0.

Just before the whistle, Wunstorf hit the bar.

And so it stayed going into the halftime break. The ref actually, very sensibly paused the game after 26 minutes so that on the hottest day of the year, the players could take on liquid.

I took advantage of the break in play, and wandered round to the only refreshment stand in the ground, where of course everyone else had the same idea as me. In fact the queue extended outside of the ground. Pity the officials at the Barne"Arena" didn't have the same foresight as the ref.

 53rd minute, a corner from the right and the Wunstorf number 3,
Tobias Alker glances a header into the net, to make it 3-0 to the hosts.

Even the late introductions of Buruk and Tobias Versick could make no difference to Bückeburg, as the players had started playing "pass the ball over the touchline and nowhere near a VfL player". 

With the light fading, the mosquitoes buzzing around, the ref ended my mysery and I trudged off back to the car.

The second song on my iPhone on the way home? Madness - "You're an embarrassment". 

LINE UP

 Spilker, Pascal Könemann, Abram, Städter (72. Buruk), Buchwald (46. Tobias Versick), Bremer, Rinne, Heine, Lennard Versick (72. Hattendorf), Steininger, Schneckener

NEXT UP

Saturday 10th August VfL v VfL Osnabrück II 

 

 

Winning in the rain

VfL Bückeburg 4 TuS Niedernwöhren 3

Here we go again. Another season. I don't usually bother with pre-season friendlies anymore, however this was under the guise of a cup competition, and as we were the highest placed team in said competition, we entered at the semi-final stage.

We have been in the middle of a heat wave, so I drove the 20 odd kilometres to the ground of TuS Lüdersfeld, dressed for an African safari.

I saw no elephants

 

As I arrived, the parking spaces were all being used, so had to park at the end of a country lane. Eek, thought I. This will be fun after the game when it's dark (I was right). Entrance was a modest €4.50 and I got to see the 1st semi-final between FC Stadthagen and SC Rinteln. 

As the second half got underway, the heavens opened and I tried to seek refuge under a tree. This was as much use as an ashtray on a motorbike, so I made my way to the opposite end of the  ground where everyone else was sheltering. The referee stopped the game, as it really was impossible to play in those conditions.

Good decision ref

 After 15 minutes, the rain has eased and the sun came out again, and I took up my place for the mighty green (and whites) against their lower league opposition.

We didn't have a full strength team out....No Spilker, Werner, Peter, Buchwald, Basti Könemann, Abram. But the team on the pitch was more than capable of progressing into Sunday's final against SC Rinteln (who after a 0-0 draw overcame FC Stadthagen on penalties).

I didn't see or indeed hear who scored our first goal, but it was a lovely move down the left flank. Further goals from Schneckener and Pascal Könemann saw us with a 3-1 lead going into halftime. 

Then the inevitable collapse happened and Niedernwöhren drew level at 3-3. Time for the floodlights as night was drawing in. I use the term "floodlights" loosley. It would have been more effective if two moles had shinned up the pylon holding a birthday candle each.

Show me the way....

 With 3 minutes left, another good move involving Versick, Bremer and a nod down for Tim Buchwald, meant the game ended 4-3 and we had reached the final of the Volksbank Masters (snazzy title eh?) on Sunday.

On the Saturday we have the more pressing matter of a real cup game (no offence Volksbank Masters) at home v FT Braunschweig, who are new in the Oberliga Niedersachsen this season, so a bit of an unknown quantity. 

We have two new stands at the Jahnstadion now. Two shiny new stands...I shall christen one of them. How does one christen a stand? Should I urinate in it? Bang against its metallic walls? Put a sticker on the back? Answers on a postcard to.....

 

SC Langenhagen 2 VfL Bückeburg 3

This was my 9th Bückeburg game this season. Pretty pathetic for a fan of the club, but I really needed a "time out" as our American cousins say. Maybe one day I shall give my reasons as to why.

This was a bottom of the table clash. Full credit to SC Langenhagen for even playing the game though. They have pulled out of the league for next season and will start again in the Kreisliga, so many of the players were just playing for pride and maybe the hope of a contract with another local side higher up the league system.

With that in mind, I expected a bigger crowd than the 64 I counted (yes, I really am that anal). I counted 10 away fans, including the obviously formed in my absence Bückeburg Ultras. Well, when I say ultras I mean 4 ladies who bang on the advertising hoardings and sing "VfL" ad infenitum. I have decided to call them the Spice Girls.

I know there were 5 Spice girls, but this is just an excuse to stare at Geri Halliwell's arse for a bit

 

 

   Although there were five goals this game was low on quality. However the two Bückeburg goals in a five minute period in the first half were quality.

The first was a rasping drive from Pascal Könemann, no keeper in the world would have got to it. The second, an equally good finish from veteran and assistant coach, Martin Prange.

They don't call him Yeboah for nothing. Actually, they call him Martin

 

  In at the break 2-0 up and just after halftime we could have added a third as first Niko Werner had a header well saved, then Tobias Versick clipped the post with a stinging shot.

However it was the home team which scored next, a well worked goal and the excellent Paddy Spilker in goal was left woefully exposed. 

All was not lost as captain marvel, Werner, bulleted in a header from Burak Buruk with his lovely dayglo boots.

I don't know but I've been told, Burak's boots are made of..erm...luminous yellow

  Into time added on and Langenhagen score with the last kick of the game, the ref blowing for full time immediately after.

The win sees us now in 14th in the 16 team league, with the amount of teams to be relegated still not clear. However, TuS Celle visit on Friday, just a point ahead of us, and we have 3 games in hand over TSV Ottersberg directly above us, and they visit the Jahnstadion in a couple of weeks.

Added to that the reserves and the Under 18's both top of their league and the future is very much in good hands. 

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

                                               
                                                                                            
OSV Hannover 1 SV Arminia Hannover 1

Decsions, decisions. Do I drive 150kms to Wolfsburg, to watch U.L.M. Wolfsburg v VfL Bückeburg, get ignored by the so-called "fans", or worse still insulted? Or do I get the train to Hannover, have a couple of beers, and meet some mates to talk about football, politics and music, people who are friendly and on my wavelength? Easy choice!

I picked a busy day to visit Hannover. The shops were open (yeah I know, in Germany they are still closed except on certain Sundays), 96 were at home to Stuttgart in the evening, the Hannover Fair started the  next day and President Putin was in town.

Today was the top of the table clash in the Landesliga Hannover, between OSV Hannover in 2nd and Arminia Hannover in 1st. 

Both teams have a proud tradition and super grounds, well worth a visit for anyone with a football ground fetish such as myself.

Wooden terracing!

 The game attracted a crowd of over 600 and I reckon a good 200 odd away fans. As a game it was nothing special, both teams looked nervous and I guess a 1-1 draw was a fair result.

A boisterous bunch, the Arminia fans

 The game was a pleasure as I met so many interesting people, Jan from Altona, Jens an Arminia fan who lives in Flensburg, and Thorsten whose own blog about the ups and downs of SVA can be found linked on here in the right hand side.

And even better, the sun finally decided to make an appearance.

 The ground itself is a gem....massive wooden terracing with wooden crush barriers, but with a modern glass fronted bar at the rear. Opposite, a few steps of terracing with a metal cage at the front, a remnant to their days in the 2nd Bundesliga in the late 70's.

Nice place to put your beer.

 

Remnants of days gone by

 
 The silly thing was trying to get a bratwurst at half time. You queue up for ages, only to be asked, when you are at the front of the queue if you have a token to purchase said sausage. Then to be pointed to another long queue to buy a token. Tip: Put up a sign, so that people can read that they need this token before anything can be purchased, otherwise, fuck right off with your bratwursts.

Great idea, bar area at rear of main stand

 And now to the ratings:

Capacity:          6000
Friendliness:      6
Clubhouse:         0 (Regular readers of this blog will know why)
Seats:             Yes
Behind goals:      One area of hard standing
Cover:             Yes
Floodlights:       No
Barrier:           Cage on one side, metal fencing
Bratwurst:         -1
Beer:              Gilde €2
Entrance fee:      I did not pay
Programme:         Yes
Weather:           8
Ground:            8
Home fans:         7