by Oliver Trust

BERLIN, July 22 (Xinhua) -- Being promoted to Germany's first tier for the first time in club history has set off a wave of euphoria around the FC Heidenheim.

Within five weeks, the member figures nearly tripled from 3,000 to over 8,000 and the season tickets have been sold out within a few hours.

The small club might be regarded as one of the relegation candidates for the 2023/24 campaign, but has been underestimated ever since the side started its stunning journey from the fifth tier up to the top.

"Against all odds, we always made it. This time the entire German football is eager to see if we can survive in the first league as we stick to our familiar pattern running this club," chairman Holger Sanwald told Xinhua in an interview.

"I can't tell you if we could make it, but we will invest all we have," Sanwald added. Neither the official nor coach Frank Schmidt seem concerned things can go badly wrong.

"We have been one of the country's leading sides when it comes to running figures and fighting spirit," the 56-year-old said.

Winning the 2022/23 second division title not only does sportive issues, but also gives evidence of a well-oiled strategy.

So far Heidenheim has been one of the shining examples of how to survive in an overheated market. A pool of over 500 sponsors has provided financial stability for many years in the city with a population of only 50,000 situated in a wealthy region.

The club might not have ever won any major titles but relied on continual growth far from risky investments. Sanwald started his work in 1994 while coach Schmidt has been in charge since 2007.

Both stand for the realization of one of the country's most unusual developments as the FCH continues to rely on a small number of decision-makers, "which allows us to be quick and precise."

Both protagonists were born in the region and kept a close relationship ever since.

In the city's medieval setting dominated by the impressive Hellenstein castle built in 1096, a project bloomed that has triggered enthusiasm among football romantics for a long.

"We won't change our pattern, we will count on unity, a high amount of running kilometers, and, on the team that achieved the upswing only updated by a small number of new arrivals," Sanwald said.

The club is aware of being a role model for other German outfits as well-known so-called traditional clubs such as Kaiserslautern, 1860 Munich, the HSV or Hertha BSC paid tribute to their financial adventures.

"We are not the only ones looking at Freiburg or Mainz trying a different way, but we are for sure one of the smallest," Sanwald said regarded as the architect of the Heidenheim way.

In the first tier, Heidenheim intends to continue to supply emotion, ambition, cohesion, and honest hard work despite one of the lowest budgets of 55 million euros.

"Our coach had only one wish after we became a first-division club. He told me to keep Tim Kleindienst," the official said referring to the clubs' top strikers 25 season goals. Enditem

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