“Indomitable Kematner” or “Unity”: The twelfth man in the lower house

2023-10-09 03:54:00

They stand for a positive atmosphere – and not for riots: The fan culture in the lower house is alive – on a larger scale at clubs like Vorwärts Steyr, but also among smaller groups of supporters like in Schlierbach: The fan club “Unity Schlierbach” (translated: unity.) was founded in the monastery town in 2017 Schlierbach, note). Since then, he has regularly impressed with choreographies that are only known from large stadiums. “In the 2021/2022 season, we managed to get promoted from the district league to the state league. Back then, the song ‘The train has no brake’ was played after practically every game and thus became a secret victory anthem for our team. Which is why the fans at a playoff game also presented a choreo with a big move,” says Schlierbach sports director Ewald Hollinger.

The support of the fans also gives his players strength when things don’t go well: “Unfortunately, we were immediately relegated. But even if we didn’t have that many successes this season, the fans were always there.” The Schlierbach fan club also regularly comes up with new ideas outside of the pitch: during the Corona lockdown, a large banner was hung in town to thank supermarket employees and hospital staff. Active and loud support is always available from Schlierbach’s league rivals Eberstalzell or the district league east club SPV Kematen/Rohr. Since 2022, the latter has also had its own fan club, “Unbiegsame Kematner”. “Two larger circles of friends have simply come together,” reveals chairman Simon Cordella. The support goes far beyond the football field: recently, for example, a darts tournament was organized and a donation was made to the youngsters. “We all have roots in the town and some of us played ourselves. In this way we can give a little something back to the club, and the players are also really happy about our vocal support,” explained the 32-year-old.

Derby march and fireworks

The kickers from Schwertberg also received vocal support in the 1-1 draw in the home derby against Naarn. “We started with four people,” explains Bernhard Riepl, chairman of the “Aistblock” fan club, which was founded in 2012. “It then grew larger and larger relatively quickly,” reveals the insurance salesman. The fan club now has around 40 members. Hikes and excursions together are also not uncommon. Riepl: “The feeling of community within the fan club is something very special.”

There was also a real derby march before the District League North duel between Gallneukirchen and Schweinbach: 200 fans made their way to the local rival’s sports field three kilometers away, where they whipped their team to a 4-1 derby victory.

Just like the fan club “Sektion 4752”, which got the SV Riedau kickers in the derby of the District League West against Dorf an der Pram (0-1) hot with fireworks before kick-off.