From East to West: That’s how great their interest in the 2nd league really is

Next step on the way to the 2nd league: By taking part in the Bundesliga workshop in September, a total of 13 third division teams from Austria mastered the first necessary hurdle for admission to the second division. The next step should take place by November 15th: clubs wanting to be promoted must submit an audit by then. Only then can you apply for a “Pickerl” for the second highest division. The OÖN asked around how great the interest of the affected clubs really is.

Regional League Middle

SPG catfish: The direction of the Messestadt club is clear: the Welsers want to get promoted and will do everything to achieve this. With the new gaming community and the upcoming merger, this project has been strengthened again. The club would have received approval last year.

ASK Voitsberg: It will come down to a duel with the Welsers in the spring: the Styrian newcomer has already openly communicated that the 2nd league is a medium-term goal. That’s why the infrastructure will be upgraded this winter break: the lights in the stadium will be converted to LED. The lawn will also be replaced and a television tower will be erected.

SK Vorwärts Steyr: The second division relegated team simply wanted to find out about the new framework conditions by taking part in the license workshop; they are not aiming for immediate promotion: “Promotion is not a goal this season, but we want to keep the door open for the next few years. In the long term, we have to “We want to create the framework conditions for this. Of course we want to go back to the top, that’s our goal,” says Vorwärts President Markus Knasmüller.

Regional League East

Kremser SC: The Lower Austrians will also overcome the next hurdle. In terms of infrastructure, only a few adaptations are necessary; a bigger problem would be to set up a budget suitable for the second division. “Let’s see if we can do it in terms of sport,” says Krems sports director Werner Nürnberger.

SK Rapid Amateurs and Young Violets: The licensing of the amateur teams runs with the Bundesliga clubs – and is only due upon their submission. There is definitely interest in returning to the 2nd league with the secondary representatives.

SC Wiener Viktoria: In fourth place, the club would be within striking distance of the top – but the next approval step will still be foregone. This is mainly due to infrastructural reasons: the venue in Vienna’s 12th district has artificial turf and is otherwise not suitable for the second highest league. A solution is being worked on. “We first have to get the club fit and then we’re not afraid of the next step,” says Viktoria chairman Roman Zeisel.

SV Leobendorf: An application for admission to the 2nd league is currently not an issue, which is why the Lower Austrian club will not be submitting any further documents this season.

Vienna Sports Club: Promotion to the second division is an issue if the stadium plans are on track. The renovation of Austria’s oldest football field still in use – the stadium was built in 1904 – has long been a never-ending story, which is why the higher league is currently not possible.

FC Masonry: Missing salaries, allegations of betting fraud – the club has often been in the negative headlines recently. Above all, in terms of sport, the club is a long way from professional football: only last with eight points.

Regional League West

SV Austria Salzburg: “It may be that we will take the plunge into professional football after all. If everything goes according to plan, we will apply for a license for the 2nd league in March,” says Austria President Claus Salzmann – and gives the many fans of the Autumn Master’s New Hope. At least the purple ones will provide the audited balance sheet. Nevertheless, there are still some question marks – like that of the venue: The stadium in Grödig, where the club went for the ÖFB Cup hit against Red Bull, should not be an issue. Rather, it looks as if Maxglan will continue to be the home: a building permit for the fan stand and a floodlight is said to have already been applied for.

FC Pinzgau Saalfelden: The Salzburg rival, currently two points behind Austria, only wants to compete with the Violets in sporting terms: “We are not giving a balance sheet, we have only informed ourselves once about the general conditions for the future,” says Pinzgau section leader Hannes Rottenspacher.

SC Schwaz: The Tyrolean local rivals do not do this: the 2nd league is currently not an issue.

SC Imst: In terms of infrastructure and economics, the second league would be feasible. “As soon as we have the chance in terms of sport, we would be ready,” says club manager Martin Schneebauer. Imst is currently in ninth place – the audit is still being submitted.

FC Kufstein: “Our goal is the second league, but unfortunately we are too far behind in terms of sport this year,” explains Kufstein President Simon Einwaller, why his club will not be reporting a balance sheet.