VfB Frohnhausen is slowly drifting towards the Bezirksliga. Even coach Issam Said no longer has a good feeling.
With 14 match days to go, VfB Frohnhausen are eight points behind a safe non-relegation place. Nevertheless, they are only three points off 14th place – which would guarantee a relegation play-off at the end of the season to stay in the Landesliga.
Then there is another option: If only one Lower Rhine regional league team is relegated and SV Straelen do not register for the regional league, then 14th place in the regional league season 2 in the Lower Rhine would be enough to stay in the league.
“Yes, it’s all a bit of arithmetic. But we can’t really concern ourselves with such things at the moment. We have to make sure that we win and stay in it. But that will be very difficult,” says Issam Said, coach and boss of VfB Frohnhausen.
Last Sunday, the team from Essen lost 4-1 at league leaders Blau-Weiß Dingden. Despite the absence of the team’s mastermind Issa Issa and four other regular players, VfB held on for a 1-1 draw. “Unfortunately only until the 80th minute. The boys did a great job. But we can’t buy anything for that at the end of the day,” explained Said.
We want to row back. I’m no longer in the mood to throw a lot of money at players. Instead, I want to work with young and hungry players next season
Issam Said
The beginning of March is actually the time when the squad for the coming season is planned. “Actually,” emphasizes Said and adds: “It’s difficult for us. As of today – March 5, 2024 – we don’t have a single player under contract from July 1. Why is that? Quite simply because we don’t know which league we’ll be playing in. But at the moment, I have to assume the district league and slowly start planning.”
Whether state or district league: Said wants to rejuvenate the team and not compete with other clubs for the “stars”. “We want to row back. I’m no longer interested in throwing a lot of money at players. Instead, I want to work with young and hungry players next season,” he emphasizes.
On Tuesday, March 5, a test match against Oberliga team ETB Schwarz-Weiß Essen is scheduled. Said: “The boys who have played less recently will get a chance to play. I’m pleased that the test match will take place.” Kick-off at Raumerstraße is at 6.45 p.m.
