When TSV Aubstadt played in the A-Class Rhön in the early 1990s, no one in the 778-inhabitant village in the Rhön-Grabfeld district would have thought of regional league football. When this league was first reached in 1997, regional league football was played in Schweinfurt, 40 kilometers away, but not even in Würzburg or Bamberg. And when you were promoted to the Regionalliga Bayern this season, it was not the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream, at most that of the team, which you only dared to dream of at the beginning of the season and had committed to it.
However, the facts prohibit speaking of a football miracle. Years of solid work lie behind success, and there were also setbacks. How can this be done better than if down-to-earth board members are at the head of such an association, who work solidly and do a lot themselves? In Aubstadt, there have been three chairmen in the last 24 years, of course former TSV players, all three of whom bear the Köhler name and yet are neither related nor related: The Köhler era began with Wolfgang (1996 to 2008). He was succeeded by Reinhard (2008 to 2014) and since then Herbert. Under Wolfgang Köhler and when Reinhard Köhler (Waltershausen) was at the helm, Reinhard Köhler (Aubstadt), the deputy chairman, was even of the same name for two periods.
Köhler is certainly one of the most common surnames in Germany. In the small, but politically independent (“and debt-free”, mayor Burkhard Wachenbrönner) community of Aubstadt there are 19 landline connections under the name Köhler and 54 citizens with this name. In 2005, the neighboring association TSV Waltershausen was integrated through a merger. The name is represented there equally strong. Before these three chairmen became chairmen, two other Koehler (chaired by Rudolf Merz) initiated the promotion over five divisions. The twins Werner and Gerd Köhler, again from another Köhler line, who played for FC 05 Schweinfurt Bayernliga and 2. Bundesliga, returned to their home club during the winter break in 1991/92 and initially saved him from relegation from the A-Class , today district league. Then, with Werner Köhler as the player coach, the rise began.
In a telephone interview, the three board members revealed what motivated them to take on a position with an association of this region and size that entails one thing: work, work, work. All three insure: “The woman, yes the whole family must be behind it.”
Question: First a few personal details about you, Mr. Köhler.
Wolfgang Köhler: I have been 64 years old since April 1 and I was 40 when I took over. At that time I was professionally the same as today, namely an employee at the community building yard, previously at the Federal Border Guard police chief and after retraining as a machine fitter.
Reinhard Köhler: I am now 72 years old and a pensioner, at the time 49 and only a column driver at a road construction company by profession, then an independent paving stone.
Herbert Köhler: I was born in 1950, took over the chair at the age of 62, was then an adjuster in the ball bearing industry and am now a pensioner. I’ll be 70 in December. At first I should only take over temporarily. Then it turned out to be more than agreed and now we want to see. Because of the corona crisis, the annual general meeting was postponed for the time being. My two predecessors and I still have some projects in mind that we want to tackle and pull through together. We’re still young, aren’t we? Luckily, more and more young people are joining the board, but they also need regulation through experience.
Which clubs did you play actively in, in which league and in which position?
Wolfgang Köhler: Always at TSV Aubstadt as a right-back, sometimes in the A-Class Rhön, sometimes for professional reasons in the reserve round.
Reinhard Köhler: At TSV Aubstadt and TSV Waltershausen, in the C, B and A class, as a middle runner.
Herbert Köhler: Only in Aubstadt, always in the A-Class Rhön, first as a striker, then in the central defense.
They were called Franz …
Herbert Köhler: I got the nickname because I was supposed to have elegant ball control.
In which league did TSV Aubstadt play during your reign and with which well-known opponents did you suddenly have to deal with that you previously only knew from the media?
Wolfgang Köhler: District League and State League, with three ascents and two descents, with Bayreuth and the Würzburger Kickers.
Reinhard Köhler: FC Schweinfurt 05, where we usually made the pilgrimage to which we would have had to pay for an invitation game, now had to play relegation against us.
Herbert Köhler: The 2nd teams of the large clubs 1. FC Nürnberg, FC Augsburg and SpVgg Greuther Fürth with well-known coaches such as Marek Mintal.
Although neither related nor related, all three have the TSV Aubstadt gene. Significantly, they gave identical, completely independent answers to the last three questions. Whether they would do it all again: “Of course.” Whether the Regionalliga Bayern has reached the end of the flag: “To think of more would be illusory. But one should never say never. “So what is the goal? “First of all, see how things will go with football, then establish yourself in this league in the medium term and enjoy the time.”
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