FCJ Alt-Ottakring - Kinkplatz

FCJ Alt-Ottakring

Kinkplatz

1140 Wien

Austria

Official Website

Instagram

Ground Number: 1395

Saturday 8th March 2025
FCJ Alt-Ottakring 0-1 Floridsdorfer AC II

2. Landesliga Wien

FCJ ALT-OTTAKRING - A BRIEF HISTORY

On April 20, 1985, a team appeared for the first time under the name FCJ Alt-Ottakring. The core of the team were members of the Catholic youth of the Alt-Ottakring parish, hence the name Fussball Club Jugend Alt-Ottakring or FCJ for short. In the 1985/1986 season, the newly founded club took part in the UKJ (Union Katholische Jugend) championship for the first time - in the Second Class A. The first few years were held under the motto "taking part is everything". In the following years, the club often failed to get a full team of eleven players on the field. It was not until 1999 that they won their first title in the DSG (DiözesanSportGemeinschaft - the successor to the UKJ) with the championship title in the 1st class. They lasted in the DSG Unterliga until 2002 when they were relegated but would bounce back as champions in 2004. They then reached the Unterliga B which they won in 2007 to reach the highest level of the amateur game at the time in Austria.

The highlight of the 2007/2008 season was winning the Diocesan Cup. Although they finished as runners-up in the DSG Liga in 2010, they took the decision to drop down a couple of levels to the third tier of amateur football. They finished as runners-up to Cro Celik, who had many ex-Bundesliga players, which meant a promotion to the second division. In 2012 FCJ finished 3rd behind Besiktas and Gradisce – but thanks to mergers in the higher leagues, they returned to the top tier of the amateur game. The following year they won the 1st Class A title for promotion to the Oberliga and semi-professional football - the third highest level of football in Austria. It was a tricky first season and despite the odds being stacked against them in terms of budget and injuries, they just managed to stay up. A restructure of the leagues in 2014 followed but in 2017, FCJ were promoted to the Oberliga B. Finishes steadily improved season upon season. Reaching the Totocup quarter-finals in 2017 with a narrow defeat against Wiener Viktoria also represented a new high point in the club's history. They currently play in the 2. Landesliga Wien which sits at the 5th level of Austrian Football.

MY VISIT

For the third (or second if I had been less fortunate) game of the day, the choice was always going to be FCJ Alt-Ottakring. This was due to the 6PM kickoff, the vast majority of games were kicking off at 2PM despite some playing virtually next door to each other. With the ground out on a limb compared to others, the two hour window was most appreciated but the fact that my 2PM game was right next to a Metro station, allowing a quick getaway. I am always sceptical of things being too good to be true but when when I checked on the Wiener Fussball Verband site in the week prior, the helpful kickoff time was confirmed. There was also the possibility of DSG Atemnot v DSG Lokomotive Traisen FC in the DSG 1st Class A but with an early alarm for the train to Budapest the following morning, it was only an outsider.

I was going to leave it until the last minute to decide about my second game on Friday night although I was always erring towards it. Originally I planned to get a taxi but with that coming in at 20-30 Euros when I looked, I decided to use the public transport that I'd already paid to make use of. I'd be 20 minutes late but I decided the sacrifice was worth making. So from my game at the Generali Arena, I jogged to the stop I needed and had a few minutes wait. I got the 15A to Meidling where I had to change. That bit went swimmingly but the change went wrong with the BB method of transport proving elusive. By this time, I decided to go back to my room. The same elusive BB tram was suggested again but I just got a normal S2 back. On reflection, I wish I'd got that taxi but I couldn't wind back the clock. Normally, it would be out for a few drinks but with last weekend being a heavy one, I decided to head back to my room. I was able to catch up on the night's TV and YouTube and type my blog in comfort before going to bed around 11.

Despite what I originally thought, the main game at Helfort was not being played on the grass pitch which had kids warming up on it and very faded lines. I'd already seen a game on their 3G surface and so made my way up the road to Red Star Penzing. It was cash only though and so the fruitless search for an ATM began. 50 minutes, a couple of miles jogged and four out-of-service ATM's later, I was back at the ground I'd seen my first game at to see the closing stages of the first half. The guy taking the money on the gate had packed up and gone, having not been there when I arrived for the previous game. I figured it would be better to just go and see a partial second game, rather than fudge a new ground without having done it properly and in any case, I only had a few Euros in cash. So I went back to the original venue, game covered elsewhere. I don't hold anything against the lady on the gate at Red Star Penzing, partially my fault for being unable to find a working cash machine but we'd both missed out, something that wouldn't have happened had they a card machine.

From Helfort, I left with the wonderful aroma of a hog roast in my nostrils, no doubt cash only but it made me peckish. I had time to kill so went to a couple of supermarkets. Aldi had no cider so I went to Billa as it was larger and I needed stuff for the morning. I got some nice stuff, the ham and the dry cider wine the highlights. Despite walking 50 minutes, still no sign of a cash machine. Richard Kone got a last-minute equaliser for Wycombe just as I was getting to the ground. Of course no card payment at the ground but despite the language barrier the guy on the gate waved me in and refused to take the few Euros I had. It was appreciated but I'd rather have been able to pay. It appeared as if the ground was the primary home of Austria XIII Auhof Center from the league above, this being the second tier of the Vienna City League. It was one of the more basic venues.

 

I worked out that Ottakring were in the red with Floridsdorfer in the blue. Sadly for my kindly hosts, they were pegged back for most of the first half with Floridsdorfer smacking the post on 43 minutes. The same applied to the second half, finally on 60 minutes the hosts converted a penalty to lead 1-0. It was the least they deserved although Ottakring showed great resilience. More pressure and one-way traffic despite not a huge gap between the sides has me wondering how the hosts were not cast adrift. From my game at Ottakring, it was a 20-minute walk to Ober St Veit metro station. It's supposed to be 10 stops to Karlsplatz but a protest of some kind in the city centre has changed things. Instead, I get off at Schottenring and ride a couple of stops to Praterstern near my hotel with me getting home at 9.15, glad to be able to charge everything up.

THE GROUND

KINKPLATZ is primarily the home of Austria XIII who play in the division above. The pitch is quite basic owing to building work, only two sides are available. These have a few unfixed seats which are not covered. There's a small bar which also serves food on occasions. There is a small car park and also street parking. For public transport. Ober St Veit Metro Station is 20 minutes walk away.