The fans of FC Schalke 04 are going along with the club’s new path. This was shown by the reactions at a fan club tournament. Nevertheless, there is a dream.

The new enthusiasm around FC Schalke 04 can be felt everywhere. Membership numbers are rising, season ticket sales have now stopped at more than 40,000 season tickets sold. Many S04 supporters can hardly wait for the start of the new Bundesliga season – and yet they are grounded and down-to-earth.

The time of big dreams seems to be over for the supporters of the Königsblauen, the new course of the club’s management and the sporting management seems to have been accepted by the fans. At least among those present at the “GEpöhle Cup” in Waltrop on Saturday. The “GEpöhle Cup” is a fan club tournament, organised by the S04 fan club “Blau-weißes GEsocks Waltrop”.

That’s exactly why it’s important to set an example here, to show the black and yellows: “We’re back and we’re getting more and more.

Schalke fan

And the answers were surprisingly clear. At the general meeting, the chairman of the board Bernd Schröder and the sports director Peter Knäbel had recently pointed out that although the Knappen had managed to put together a competitive team, the only goal for the next two years was to stay in the league. Only after that, if the goals have been achieved, can new goals be set. The fans obviously see it the same way. But not without making a small point to their eternal rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Because Waltrop borders Dortmund and therefore actually belongs more to BVB’s catchment area. “That’s why it’s important to set an example here to show the black and yellows: ‘We’re back and we’re getting more and more’,” said Michael Großbischowski from the Schalke fan club Rade 92. Admittedly, he said, it was clear that in the coming years they would basically be inferior to their rivals in sporting terms. “But a derby win like that against BVB would be cool. That would be a season highlight,” he added. “That will be difficult, but VfL Bochum also managed it last season.”

However, he added, it must be recognised without envy that the two clubs are currently worlds apart in sporting terms. “BVB has simply managed sensibly for years. That’s just the way it is. Unfortunately, it was the other way around for us,” says Großbischowski. He is therefore glad that reason has now returned to Schalke 04. “We’ve had a great season in the second division. Nobody will expect miracles after promotion. We are all delighted that we now have people at the helm who work in an economically sensible way. “

I have never been so calm and unexcited before a season as I was before this one. Because I trust the people acting in the supervisory board and the board of directors. They have brought a completely different culture to the club, which is good for us.

Schalke supporter

Melanie Illburger from the fan club “Schönblau 08” has a similar view of the situation: “I’m really looking forward to the new season and the summer training camp, which I’ll be at. But I have never been so calm and unexcited before a season as I am before this one. Because I trust the people acting in the supervisory board and the board of directors. They have brought a completely different culture to the club, which is good for us.”
All fans agreed that the Königsblauen can rely on their supporters. “We will go along for the ride and support the team even in bad phases,” Großbischowski clarified. “Because we are all aware that these will come. “