A star striker with killer instinct, a departing coach with a clear signature, and a team in transition: The A-Juniors of Ahrweiler BC look back on a Rheinlandliga season that was, above all else, mixed. Ninth place, 36 points, 11 wins, 3 draws, 14 losses. A record that offers neither cause for celebration nor panic – but enough reason for change.
The focus of the past round: Max Isgaem. The striker with a nose for goal was the personification of the district town's lifeline. 22 goals, top scorer of the league – Isgaem regularly found the back of the net and is making a fitting farewell to the senior leagues. There, he is set to cause a sensation alongside teammate Jannick Kunze in the U23 team.
"Max decided games for us that we would otherwise have had no chance in," summarized coach Timo Uhlendahl, who is moving on to Bonner SC after the end of the season. There he will become part of the youth coaching staff – in Ahrweiler, he leaves behind a team with highs and lows.
Because: The Ahrweiler BC often showed inconsistency in the league, oscillating between cup drama and league slumps. Highlight: The cup exit against regional league team TuS Koblenz, which was only decided in a penalty shootout – fought bravely, lost unluckily. Low points: Dropped points against direct competitors, careless handling of leads.
But there were also reasons for optimism: Elias Holzem, a new signing from SG Landskrone Heimersheim, contributed eight goals and showed his potential. Philip Schmidgen and Bartek Meza were promoted to the senior team early on – a clear sign of where the journey is heading. Youth coordinator Gerd Treffer summarizes: "We had to work with many young age groups. The focus was clearly on development – not on the league position."
A personnel restart is planned for the upcoming season. Around half a dozen players are leaving the club, and the gaps will be filled both internally and externally. Above all, the U17 talents from last season are expected to take on responsibility in the future. In addition, there's a new coach who most recently managed FC Hennef's oldest age group in the top division – a man with quality, experience, and clear ambitions.
Behind the scenes, caregiver Heidi Schulze is reliably working in the background as usual. She will continue to be an important constant in the future – in a team that is now reorganizing and where the cards are being reshuffled.
Conclusion: Solid season, clear weaknesses, but equally clear prospects. Ahrweiler BC is setting its course for the future – and wants to continue to push forward in youth development. With new personnel, new momentum, and old virtues.
Symbol photo:
Max Isgaem, the lifeline of the U19 team last season.