Gang in 3rd league threatens

Amstetten with future project in the relegation stagger

Frustration among Amstetten's Monsberger, Zaizen and Co.(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Manuel Binder)

(Bild: Christian Mayerhofer)

(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Manuel Binder)

Amstetten are building a new away sector and main entrance at the Ertl-Glas-Stadium. After the bitter 0:1 home defeat on Saturday in the stragglers' duel against Dornbirn, the Eastern League is probably looming. 

A construction container, a wheelbarrow, wood and iron materials in the north stand - this is the current situation at Amstetten's Ertl-Glas-Stadium. The second division club is rebuilding the away sector, in other words, it's actually new. "As the regulations stipulate no porta-potties for this sector from July 1, 2025, we started right away - it takes time," said Bernhard and Gerhard Reikersdorfer, two of the four SKU board members, during yesterday's visit to the Krone. The new guest fan area, right next to the old one, will be ready in June thanks to the many energetic helpers, led by honorary chairman Rudi Brunner. And what exactly will it look like? "The sector is for 300 fans, that's 10 percent of the stadium's total capacity," explain the Reikersdorfer brothers. "There will be more comfort in this closed-off area and no points of contact with our own fans, as they will be able to walk through downstairs and move freely around the stadium. It makes things easier and saves on personnel costs for security and stewards."

At the "away sector construction site" (from left): Franz Halbertschlager, Bernhard Reikersdorfer, Erwin Knoll, Johann Korn and Gerhard Reikersdorfer.(Bild: Christian Mayerhofer)

The entire construction project, which also includes the relocation of the main entrance, will cost at least 500,000 euros, financed by the municipality, the province of Lower Austria and the club itself. That SKU could only be in the Ostliga next season if they are relegated? "This project is for the future. Amstetten already sees itself in the 2nd division, that's our perspective."

Much tried, nothing happened: striker Monsberger came away empty-handed.(Bild: GEPA pictures/ Manuel Binder)

Yesterday there was another serious setback, the bottom team lost 1:0 at home to third-last Dornbirn and thus remains without a home win. The hope that not all applicants will receive the second league license is now almost obsolete. "Everyone is aware of the power of this defeat," said coach Patrick Enengl, who had previously only been concerned with staying in the league, bemoaning the decisive counter-attacking goal. "After that, everything became doubly and triply difficult. It wasn't good enough in the second half. And yet: We have to show character now!"