ETB SW Essen and TuRa Essen were recognized by the DFL for the soccer training of Noel Futkeu, who made his second-division debut for Greuther Fürth in the 2024–25 season.
Oberliga club ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen and Kreisliga club TuRa Essen are each set to receive a financial boost. The DFL is recognizing the two clubs for the development of Noel Futkeu, who made his professional debut for SpVgg Greuther Fürth in the 2. Bundesliga during the 2024/25 season.
As part of the German Football League’s player development compensation program, ETB will receive approximately 28,500 euros, while TuRa will receive as much as approximately 35,500 euros. The certificates were presented on Monday at the Stadion am Uhlenkrug. Among those in attendance were Karl Weiß (ETB’s president), Oliver Cardinal (TuRa’s president), DFL Director of Match Operations & Fans Ansgar Schwenken, DFL Director of Communications Tobias Kaufmann, FVN President Peter Frymuth, and, of course, Noel Futkeu.
ETB President Weiß expressed great pride in the award. Futkeu played for the ETB youth team from 2012 to 2018, and in the summer of 2022, Weiß played a decisive role in bringing the striker back to Uhlenkrug from 1. FC Köln II.
“We’re very happy about this, and it’s a very important and positive signal for amateur clubs,” explained Weiß, elaborating on the background to Futkeu’s earlier return. “He was familiar with the environment and the coach at the time, Damian Apfeld. Plus, his uncle was on board and took great care of him during that period. In the end, we were able to convince him to get settled with us, and that worked out exceptionally well. But he himself deserves the lion’s share of the credit.”
We’re very happy about this, and it sends a very important and positive signal to amateur clubs
Karl Weiß
Weiß also revealed how the training fee will be used: “We’re investing the money in our youth program. For example, we have a youth center that we’re currently renovating at great expense. It’s meant to become a gathering place for young people, where school classes will also be offered in the future, and we can really put the money to good use for that.”
TuRa Essen, from the Kreisliga B, is also pleased with the financial boost. Futkeu began his soccer career there at the age of four and played for the club until he was twelve. TuRa is aiming to return to the Kreisliga A. To achieve this goal, Chairman Cardinal also wants to invest the money in the youth program to strengthen the club at the grassroots level.
“We’ll also be investing in our youth program, but exactly how is still being planned. On top of that, we need coaches, who of course must receive a small stipend. We’re also in the process of putting together a Bambini team. It’s a long and difficult road, and the money helps enormously in further developing the club,” explained Cardinal.