"You have to show attitude" - 73 years of football with Werner Koch

Werner Koch has stood for reliability in football for more than five decades. Whether as a player, referee or official - his career is characterized by continuity and operational readiness.

He has been faithfully connected to the 1st FSV Mainz 05 for 73 years. As a player, as a referee, as a official. Hardly anyone has contributed as many decades to the success of the game as he did.

Werner Koch not only shows his technology in the field, but also character. As a referee, he rightly deserves the respect of everyone involved through his professional competence and confident game management.

Why did Werner Koch become a referee?

He was active in the A and B youth, played in the district, district and association league- and made it into the 2nd amateur league at the time. A player with assertiveness, but also with an understanding of the game - characteristics that should later also be important as referees.

Between 1952 and 1972 he was traveling as a player, often for the reserve - a time when you had to show not only technology, but also character on the square.

"A friend, Mr. Emrich, said in 1970: If you stop playing, then become a referee. That worked in me. In 1972 I actually took the exam and started whistling."

Noteworthy: he initially stayed active player and started as a referee in parallel.

His career in referee sports

Werner Koch managed around 3000 games as a referee in his active time - in wind and weather, across the region and always with the claim to manage the game, fairly and regularly.

But his career was not exhausted in the referee. After just six years, he took responsibility as a chairman - a function that you should only take over if you are ready to invest time, get involved and accompany others.

• District referee chairman (KSO) - responsible for planning, support and further education for 16 years.
• Then district referee chairman (BSO) - with even more responsibility.

He helped shape structures, trained, advised and accompanied young referees - with calm, reliability and assertiveness.

A significant experience

"I came on the pitch, it was a game in Frankfurt. There were a lot of sports cars ... they stood - players like Lorant, Förster, Döring. It wasn't a normal game."

• 1990: Rhein-Main Frankfurt vs. Spvgg. Bad Homburg-with ex-Bundesliga professionals, sponsored by portas.
• 1991: Inauguration Sportplatz Finthen-with the Uwe-Seeler-Elf (Rummenigge, Overath, Grabowski, Kleff, Köppel ...)
• 1992: Budenheim ah vs. Mainz 05 - with many known faces.

But every game was also important for him away from the big name - because for the players it was "their game".

Forming moments

The inauguration game in 1991 in Finthen or the legendary Rhein-Main game-they remain unforgettable. These games were highlights, but every effort was special for him.

What motivates him?

Werner Koch never looked for fame or recognition - his motivation was the passion for football:

"It is passion for football. And of course the exchange with the others. The many conversations with colleagues, the friendships that have arisen from it."

For him it was never just a job - it was part of his life. "You have to stay true to yourself," he says.

A look at the future

What does Werner Koch advise the young generation of referees?

"Discipline is important. Punctuality - preferably a quarter of an hour earlier. Stay fit, physically and mentally. And the material has to be right."

For him, not only the rules, but attitude and calm in difficult situations count.

An indispensable part of the association

Werner Koch is still the head of the referee of Mainz 05, member of the honor and a committed co -designer.

It is the quiet pole in the background, a support for many generations - a person who holds amateur football together for decades.

At a time when volunteering is under pressure, Werner Koch is a shining example of commitment, reliability and passion.

Thank you, Werner Koch - for everything you did for football.