SV Wiener Neudorf
Ground: Franz Fürst Stadion (Sportsplatz Eumigweg)
Capacity: 3,000
Club Founded: 1918
League: 2. Landesliga Ost - 5th Tier (current level)
While neighbours Admira Wacker draw a greater support, SV Wiener Neudorf, south of the capital, continue to produce players and attract the local community.
Club Background
The club had played for a few decades when a new sports ground on Hauptstrasse was opened in 1946 after the War. It inspired the team to win promotion, going on to become the champion of 1. Klasse Südosten in 1955-56. The club continued playing in regional football for the next few decades, lifting four more league titles during the 1970's.
A move to the new 1.SV Wiener Neudorf Stadion on Eumigweg, which was part of a sports hub in 1985, would herald a new era for the club. Promotion was won before the team went on to become Landesliga NÖ champions the following season. This elevated Wiener Neudorf to the third-tier Regionalliga Ost, where they finished as runners-up in 1988-89.
A couple of relegations followed before financial troubles blighted the club. Regrouping, the club concentrated on producing its own young players. In the six-tier Gebietsliga Süd/Südost of Niederösterreich football, they were crowned champions and promoted.
Wiener Neudorf's venue was renamed Franz Fürst Stadion, in honour of a local politician and mayor. Peter Obritzberger was appointed as chief trainer in January 2012. Wolfgang Knaller replaced him, but failed to save the side from relegation to the sixth tier of Austrian football.
Georgi Valtchev and Robert Florl had spells in charge of the team, while Admir Subasic banged in the goals in the seasons leading up to the enforced pandemic break. More chief trainers came and went before Julian Krenn was appointed in May 2024. His side won promotion to 2. Landesliga Ost, with Christian Stanic scoring the goals.
My visit
Stadium Visit - Sunday 8th March 2020
Opportunity Knocks
My visit to the town of Wiener Neudorf was most unexpected until ten minutes before I arrived. I had attended the afternoon Regionalliga Ost game between Admira Juniors and ASV Draßburg and returned to the platform at Maria Enzersdorf Südstadt station.
Across the field to the south, I saw a set of modern floodlights that obviously belonged to a club of a reasonable size. Google Maps gave me the information, though I could find little out about the club. That would have to wait.
Mad Dash
It was ten minutes before my next train back towards the centre and my hotel, but only five minutes until the next southbound service. The light was fading, but I reckoned I had just enough time to grab some photos if all went to plan. As I figured that it would be a long shot that I’d find myself back in this neck of the woods, I took the plunge.
It was only a five-minute walk after alighting on the WLB light transit railway along Eumigweg to the car park of the venue. Some junior players and parents were leaving, and the main gate to the arena looked to be locked. I wandered around the back of the main stand, past other pitches and where workers were doing maintenance on the clay tennis courts.
Smart Stadium
A simple smile and a nod seemed to do the trick in avoiding awkward questions. The gate in the top corner of Franz Fürst Stadion was open. There was just enough light to take photos of a ground with a raised spectator area down one side, with a covered centre section. The rest of the ground offered nothing in the way of accommodation for fans.
I returned to the station and took the train back to Meidling. Through a couple of earlier interchanges through the station, I’d seen a stall downstairs selling large slices of pizza. I grabbed a couple to take back to my room at Star Inn Hotel Wien Schönbrunn before venturing out.
Everyday a Schoolday
By now, Hans, my local informant, whom I’d met at the Austria Wien game the previous evening, had messaged me. He'd given me valuable tips and news, making the trip even more successful. He gave me info about Wiener Neudorf. I’d become confused as I presumed that they’d be listed on the Vienna FA website with other clubs I’d visited over the weekend.
I’d failed to take into account that they were over the border in Lower Austria. It was time for beer. I’d turned down the temptation of dipping my toes into the game at Helfort between DSG ISG Stammtisch and DSG Salzachsturm in the Diözesan Sport Gemeinschaft church league. I’d sourced a brew pub not far from the digs.
Sunday Night Vienna Bars
Hawidere I Bier · Burger · Bar had received mixed online reviews, but I decided to give it a go. I’d read that they showed football. However, there were no TV’s, not that it was a problem. The three beers I tried weren’t bad, but I’d tasted better. The couple of hipsters playing noise on were the problem. Maybe it was a house policy, or they were owners.
I’m not sure, but I know it was like nothing I’d heard before. No conventional instruments, just various noises put together. I really couldn’t describe it as music. I’d like to think of myself as being open-minded, but that was too much. I paid what I thought was a very expensive bar bill of nearly €5 for less than a pint of each beer and went on my way looking for a better option.
I even toyed with a return to the excellent bar in Hernals from Friday night. That was too far after checking travel time. I went along Ullmannstraße towards Pub Schönbrunn, where four customers were sitting outside. I entered to find an empty bar. Those outside were the staff and a couple of fellas. They’d obviously been very thirsty all afternoon.
It seemed OK. The bloke who served me seemed to think that Slade Live was a good choice of music. Who was I to disagree? Many dirty glasses were waiting to be washed, which offered further evidence of a lengthy session. They were friendly enough, and I enjoyed a very reasonably priced few local beers until closing time.
There was even a scarf of the local side Viktoria Wiener on the wall, who had been the first club I’d visited earlier in the day. The owner was a smashing bloke who spoke a little English. Well, certainly more than my German, anyway. I said I’d return the following evening, which I felt guilty about twenty-four hours later when I was too shattered.
I’d certainly give it another go on a revisit. It was just five minutes back along Linke Wienzeile with a smile on my face, where I didn’t need any assistance in getting off to sleep after another fantastic day in a wonderful city.