Today’s clash sees two teams meet who are separated by approximately 5 miles – well below average, but not unusual, given that we are in the Oberligas (the 5th tier of the pyramid) now, one tier below the first regionalised level (the Regionalligas). This especially true in the Rheinland region of Germany, where so many large cities (and football powerhouses) are clustered together.
The Oberliga Mittelrhein is one of the 21 State Football Associations that comprise this tier- with promotion to the Regionalliga West and relegation to the Landesliga Mittelrhein.
Today’s contest sees 14th against 1st, with 20 points to separate them.
The town of Hürth lies just outside of Cologne, and is home to the celebrated Facility 4101, Tower 93.
This is a 75m high electricity pylon, constructed in 1975, which boasted a public observation deck, accessible via a staircase located at the centre of the pylon. It is widely believed, though hard to prove, that this is the only public observation deck ever installed on an electricity pylon. Sadly the deck has now been disassembled.
Hürth is also twinned with Thetford, and is famous as the birthplace of F1 stars Michael & Ralph Schumacher.