It began with a promising burst of energy. Six games, six wins, including a 1-0 victory over the eventual champions Hunsrück-Mittelrhein – the U17 team of Ahrweiler BC seemed to have arrived in the Bezirksliga, ready for more. For a sporting revival after the relegation from the Rheinlandliga two years earlier. For a season that not only formulated ambitions on paper but also lived them. But what began well ended up shrouded in fog of inaccuracies, uncertainties and indecision. Ninth place – that is the sober reality after 26 matchdays. And yet it is not the final word.
Because what is difficult to measure in numbers is the development of a team that, despite setbacks, never fell apart. The team, even when the fire from outside was more of a spark than a flame, stuck together – in the locker room, on the training field, in the game. The coaching team led by Fabian Lorca, Karl-Heinz Classen and Jürgen Deutsch not only instilled tactical discipline in the boys, but also a sense of discipline. Especially when results no longer spoke the language of success. They provided structure where needed and space where it was helpful. For this effort, often beyond visible results, they deserve respect – and thanks.
Looking back also reveals: A perfect season is not just a matter of tactics. It is a question of the overall package. From preparation, squad planning, to emotional support. Whether the club has – to put it cautiously – brought the maximum amount of horsepower to the pitch in all areas, that can be critically assessed. And yet: There are no culprits. Only tasks for the future.
That promising talents are leaving the club for the Middle Rhine or Rhineland League is not a drama, but a reality in youth football. Especially in a club like ABC, where the family spirit sometimes works harder than the sporting calculation. These departures can be painful, yes. But they also show that in Ahrweiler, quality is being produced – with effect.
What remains? The will to start over. The rejection of cheap excuses. The realization that successful youth work is more than just placing in the standings. And the optimism that more was taken away from this season than one ninth place suggests. The plans for the new season are in full swing. With new faces, fresh energy – and the clear goal of once again forming a U17 team that is bold, creative, and uncomfortable. A team that we are looking forward to.
A big thank you is also in this place to the parents who have endured the trips, the frustrations and the joys – reliably, loudly and with heart. Their commitment is not an afterthought, but a foundation.
It wasn’t the season you had dreamed of. But maybe it was the one from which you can learn the most. And that, as you know, is sometimes worth more than any trophy.