Welcome to Volume Two of my blog which covers all clubs and stadiums outside the English League System along with the wonderful people responsible for keeping them going and their maintenance.

Since I was a little lad I've been fascinated in football and more so where games are played. With my love of travel and curiosity of the game I wanted to visit as many grounds and see games wherever possible.

I was fortunate that my Dad also loved the game and spent so much of his spare time taking me to matches. As I got older the boundaries widened owing to my location and increased wages to Europe and indeed the world. The sight of a stand or a floodlight pylon in the distance immediately heightens my senses and eagerness for a closer look.

I hope this site gives you the chance to share in my pleasure and experiences and maybe one day set you on the road to adventure. If you get half as much out of the hobby as I've done, I can guarantee some great memories, good friends and stories to pass on to future generations.

Give your local club a try today. They'll be delighted to see you!

Everlasting thanks primarily to my late and very much missed and dearly loved parents; my Dad Bob Bernard and my Mum; Ann, who put up with endless years of football chat and my brothers Nick and Paul who gave me the chance and encouragement to do what I have. Thanks to all my friends who offer encouragement and Sally and Stan who inspire and give me great pride. Stan is showing a keen interest in my hobby as he grows into a young man!

Please feel free to post any comments (please use sensible language - I want everyone to be able to enjoy reading) or ask any questions relating to visiting grounds or events. If you want to see any ground reviewed please let me know. It will take quite some time for everywhere to appear, but make sure you keep having a look as the site is continually updated.

If you click on a lot of the pictures you will get a larger version on your screen.

I have also added links to video clips on YouTube where appropriate for those of you who are bored of reading or are filling in time at work. I haven't always gone for the most obvious choices, but items that will be in some cases unusual but always historically interesting.

Click here to see volume one of HAOTW for everything in the English League System.

Rob Bernard

London

May 2020

Monday 7 September 2015

PTSV Jahn Freiburg (Germany)


PTSV Jahn Freiburg, or Postsportverein Jahn Freiburg, to give their full title is a sports club from the city of Freiburg im Breisgau in southern Germany which has sections for billiards, recreational sports, health, ninepins, lacrosse, athletics, tennis, table tennis, gymnastics, snow sports and hiking, youth development, volleyball as well as football.


The club was formed as Turnverein Jahn Freiburg in April 1923 with members quickly signing up. The football section was started in 1927 with Freiburger FC giving the club land for Jahnstadion in 1928. 

Three years earlier another club, Postsportverein Freiburg had been formed. They joined forces with PTSV in 1937 to make up Postsportverein Jahn Freiburg. The future of the Jahnstadion was secured financially.


The military forces took over the ground during World War II, but it was returned to the club in 1947. Over the years the club took as much pride in their social achievements as trophies won as they have introduced folk dancing, singing and amateur theatre games, along with  recreation, vacations,  youth camps, international youth exchanges and visits to attractions.

By 2003 PTSV had over 150 qualified coaches in thirteen different sports. The football team continued to play at an amateur level and boasted one of the biggest football sections of any sports club in the district.

The team played the 2003-04 campaign in Kreisliga A, Staffel 2; one of numerous ninth tier leagues in the national system, where they ended in eighth place. An improvement to fifth came in 2005-06 which was replicated the following season before fourth place in 2007-08.

PTSV finished as runners-up in 2009-10 before a couple of fourth places. In 2012-13 the club were crowned as Kreisliga A2 champions as they climbed to Bezirksliga Freiburg where they finished in seventh. However, the team was relegated in 2015-16.

After a season of consolidation PTSV finished fourth in Kreisliga A2 in 2017-18 as Fabian Kunitzky scored the goals for the side coached by Ray Wusu. 2018-19 saw an improvement of one place.

When the 2019-20 season was abandoned owing to the Coronavirus outbreak the team were in tenth place as Kunitzky continued his fine work.

PTSV Jahn Freiburg will play in Kreisliga A Staffel 2 Freiburg in the 2020-21 season.



My visit

Saturday 15th August 2015


Once I earmarked going to the 2. Division game between SC Freiburg and VfL Bochum the next step was to check out the various maps and websites such as the excellent Kicker and newly found Europlans sites to see which other clubs played in the city so I could enjoy my trip further and to broaden my knowledge.

One club I found was placed most conveniently a hundred metres or so from the Dreisamstadion home of their big neighbours. I came out from my game round the north end of the stadium along the bank of the Dreisam river and then straight to the entrance and clubhouse of PTSV Jahn.


Having been involved in and seeing how hard smaller clubs have to work to survive, it’s always good to see them use ways to make money. This was certainly the case at the club as it opened up its facilities to fans going to the big match. The clubhouse seemed busy, but so was the forecourt with a plethora of traditional local food and beer stalls.

The main pitch was pretty basic but again it optimised all options with its artificial pitch to ensure maximum play. All around were further facilities for other sports including tennis and beach volleyball courts as well as an eight lane 400m running track and field. It really was a great example of community facilities.


I headed off, despite the temptation of a nice lazy afternoon to look for ventures new.






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