For a club like Bielefeld you wouldn't expect attendances to continue to drop at such a rate. The drop in attendance depends on how big your core fanbase is. A recent example is Rostock - while the lost a significant amount of spectators after going from the 1st to the 2nd division, there was no drop at all anymore after going from the 2nd down to the 3rd division. That's partially because the did very well in the 3. Liga, and also had quite a few derbies - but also because they have a large enough core fanbase that goes to games no matter what. By all accounts Bielefeld isn't experiencing just a normal post relegation drop in attendace - caused by the casual fans staying away (most of those probably stopped already going after the club was relegated from the 1st division), but one caused by a severe crisis and fans giving up on the club. Without a serious overhaul this could easily become a vicious circle.
Almost, 27 players left the club (not was sold, all left as free-transfers or are without new club), 20 new players came in. transfermarkt: Bielefeld transfers
Clubs relegated from the 2. Bundesliga almost always loose most of their squad on free transfers, thet's why the often do badly. Because of the economic differences between the leagues very few players have contracts valid for the 3. Liga.
No - I mean, this was 4 seasons ago. Not many long term contracts in the 2. Bundesliga either. And there's still a big financial gap. And yeah, Rostock did well, as do some other relegated teams. There are still many counter examples - sometimes a new team works, sometimes it doesn't (it doesn't help that many relegated teams have to greatly reduce their budgets and need cheap players first).
Andreas Richter, captain of Chemnitz, had a heart attack during practice. He's alive, but it's unclear if he will be able to play again.
As long as he is alive, and not like Japanese former NT Matsuda that died recently by an heartattack during the training too. But yes those things are sad and shouldnt happen.
Sure, being alive is the most important thing. However, as a lower division career player he probably doesn't have a big bank account to fall back on. So if he can't play anymore, let's hope he'll find a smooth transition into a post-soccer career.
It is nice to see Regensburg continue their solid form. Now, whether the first half ends this way and whether they can continue that in the second half, remains to be seen.
The league is back to "extremely tight" this year, only 5 points between 2ns and 13th place. Unfortunately Sandhausen seem much improved - I could certainly live without them getting promoted. Attendances are down significantly this year, but this was to be expected, after the 3 clubs with the biggest fanbases by far all went up, and none of the relegated clubs can match those (the 3 promoted clubs on the other hand do all well attendancewise, without those 3 the league average would be even worse).
My buddy coaches at Sandhausen, so I'm hoping they get promoted. Also would like to see Regensburg make the jump as well.
Regensburg could, potentially, compete on the 2.BL level, but their money situation is not a perfect one. That said, a consistent run this term may bring some additional financial benefits.
What about Sandhausen, would they have the money for B2? I expect its always tough to move up. Regensburg - has no online merchandise sales- weird.
For Sandhausen money is no problem, another one of those sponsor backed village clubs. Regensburg on the other hand aren't particularily rich, to put it very mildly.
Agreed on Regensburg. It took an act of god for me to get my Regensburg shirt from last year. Despite their money problems, they seem to be a tightly knit club, some nice things on their website including video highlights and interviews... Still, an online shop would be horrible for my bank account...
I found an English speaking supporter on their message board. Scarf and trikot. It is probably my favorite.
I will see if I can get a picture taken shortly and get it posted. I have not bothered doing that just yet.
Great to see Regensburg continue their solid form. I am not saying promotion is on the horizon, but... It is shaping up to be a very interesting Ruckrunde...
Their president and main sponsor owns a construction company. Additionally some other local companies have recently started to give money. Some might remember Sandhausen as the club Hopp originally wanted to merge Hoffenheim with, before Sandhausen decided to do it on it's own. They don't have as deep pockets as Hoffenheim, and actually have quite a long history as a high level amateur club - still, their team consists mostly of former st and 2nd Bundesliga players, who probably didn't go there just for the scenery.