Groundsman, project manager, free kick god: Franz Knittler turns 70 today.
Berglern– There was supposed to have been a time when the Berglern soccer field, let's say, had a few bald spots.
"30 years later there is not a blade of grass on the whole square that does not grow in the same direction," says youth director Daniel Helmecke and gives the reason: "Since then, Franz Knittler has been looking after the lawn."
And everything else that should grow and prosper at SV Eintracht Berglern.
Because Knittler is not only Berglern's most conscientious greenkeeper (Helmecke: “There are more seeds, fertilizers and soil samples in the equipment garage than at Baywa”), but also chairman of the SVE - and 70 years old as of today, Friday.
He played 304 football matches himself.
He was an all-rounder.
Allegedly, he likes to grin, no one in Berglern has ever taken better free kicks.
If there was a need, he stood in the gate.
But he also took on a lot of other things.
When Berglern's footballer was relegated to the C-class (today's A-class, the editor) in 1984, he became a coach, stayed that way until 1993 and later stepped in whenever the need arises - i.e. 1996/1997, 2003 / 2004 and 2006/2007.
In between he coached the second for three years.
And what does the football fool from Berglern do when he's not coaching?
He will take over the department management.
That was from 2004 to 2006. For a short time the love between the club and Knittler cooled down a bit, but since 2015 he has been chairman again and is pushing the next projects.
As he always has.
In the 1990s he took care of the outdoor facilities, installed advertising boards and helped build the third tennis court and the curling alley.
Later it was the renovation of the training ground, solar system, carport, new floodlights, cabin and parking lot renovation - he was involved everywhere.
And now the very big project for the man who has long been nicknamed "Kaiser" in Berglern: the new clubhouse.
It will be a million dollar project that could certainly cause concern for members.
But at SVE we know: When there is really a lot to do, the Kaiser is in particularly great shape.
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