As expected, 1. FC Bocholt has applied for a third division license. In the event of promotion, FCB could play home games in Münster.

It is no surprise that 1. FC Bocholt has applied for a license for the 3rd division. As expected, the club from the Regionalliga West announced that it had submitted the necessary documents to the German Football Association (DFB) in time for the deadline last Friday.

However, as the stadium at Hünting does not currently meet the admission requirements, Bocholt have named an alternative venue: the Preußenstadion, the home of Preußen Münster.

“We simply want to be prepared for the best-case scenario,” explains managing director Christopher Schorch, responsible for sport and organization at FCB. “We have a clear plan for the next few years and will now take the necessary steps at all levels and in any case gain important experience that will help us in the future.”

If promotion to the 3rd division is actually achieved, however, a move to Münster, around 80 kilometers away, would not be binding. This is because extensive renovation work is planned for the club’s own stadium. Bocholt presented the plans at the end of last year. The Hüntig is to be roofed over and offer space for around 7,000 spectators. According to the club, the cost will be in the low double-digit millions. If the renovation is completed on time, Bocholt could welcome their opponents to their home ground

First and foremost, however, the club would have to qualify for the 3rd division. After Dietmar Hirsch’s team were surprisingly at the top of the table at the winter break as last year’s promoted team, Alemannia Aachen now lead the Regionalliga West.

Bocholt lost ground due to a mixed start to the year, but moved closer again this weekend. Aachen were held to a 1-1 draw at SV Rödinghausen, while FCB won 4-1 against SSVg Velbert and currently have promotion in their own hands thanks to the direct clash still to come.