1. FC Bocholt was undoubtedly one of the surprises on the first two Regionalliga West matchdays. Two games, two wins!

Coach Dietmar Hirsch, who can also be counted as an addition, had to integrate more than a dozen new players at 1. FC Bocholt. The fans already saw how well the integration worked in the preparation, when the regional league club sold itself dearly in the test matches against FC Schalke 04 and MSV Duisburg.

A dream start to the season followed: 5:2 at S04’s U23 and 1:0 against SV Rödinghausen. Bocholt started with six points. On Saturday (12 August, 5.30 p.m.), it’s off to the U21 team of 1. FC Köln.

RevierSport spoke to Christopher Schorch, managing director and sports director at Bocholt’s Hünting, before the game.

Christopher Schorch, you can talk about a dream start without hesitation, can’t you?

Yes, it was an optimal start for us. If someone had assured me of four points before these two games, I would have been very happy. As it is, we are already six points closer to the magic 40-point mark. Because at the moment that’s the only mark that counts for us. We want to reach 40 points as soon as possible.

What did you particularly like about the first two match days?

The whole demeanour of the team, the greed, the passion, but also the guys at the back are doing a great job. This community that has developed so quickly is also not normal. That simply speaks for the great characters in the squad.

What part does the coach play in this?

A big one. Dietmar Hirsch is just as crazy about football as I am. We were still talking on the phone at 10:30 p.m. on Tuesday night. He thinks about football all day long. And now, for the first time in his career, Dietmar can train practically on his doorstep. He lives 20 minutes by car from Bocholt. So he can sleep at home with his wife, go for walks with her and live in his familiar surroundings. He can then transfer this feeling of happiness to the team. That is an immensely positive energy.

Not only Hirsch, but also you have to be praised. You seem to have done an excellent job in selecting the players…

Of course, that has a lot to do with my network from over 16 years in the professional game. But I’m honest and have to say that I didn’t do it all by myself. I always have my two or three people who help me, who I talk to, who I trust blindly. And so it’s fun. I like to work with partners and then celebrate the success in the community. I’m obsessed with football, that’s all I’ve learned and I want to succeed.

In one year you have already built up a lot in Bocholt…

Yes, that’s true. I’ve landed 65 new sponsors, including a national partner in schauinsland-Reisen. People trust me and that also goes for the club and the players. This is the only way I can develop and realise my ideas. My goal is to reach as high as possible as an official in football. I’ve already turned a lot of things around here and I’m supported by the people in charge in the decisions. Bocholt is already like my baby. I also appreciate that.

Your good work is also highly regarded by the competition. You are said to have a number of enquiries. Is that right?

There have definitely been enquiries. But for me, a move is out of the question at the moment. I know what I have here at 1. FC Bocholt and I’m far from finished. We still have a lot of plans together.

From a sporting point of view, we’re going to Cologne on Saturday. Will you get your third win in a row?

(laughs) I hope so. But the Cologne U21 team is dangerous, of course. They are a surprise package like any other U team. But the kick-off time on a Saturday at 5.30 p.m. should be good for every footballer. I’m already really looking forward to the game.