Visiting SCR Altach – The Romance of the Austrian Bundesliga

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While on holiday in Vorarlberg, I took my young twins to watch their first live football match. SCR Altach took on Wolfsberg at their Cashpoint Arena in Altach – a stone’s throw away from the border to Switzerland. I’d asked them several times whether they had wanted to go. They’d said they were up for it!

I had originally expected their first live game to be at either First Vienna or Sportklub – far closer to home. After a long journey and diversion via the Oberallgäu, we arrived in Feldkirch on Saturday. I knew that my elder son would need a day at home. To let him unwind from the journey, I proposed the 5pm kick-off game a few stops up the line towards Bregenz to the twins.

Off to Altach

The excitement built up, with a gentle train journey to Altach from Feldkirch. Their excitement was increased by the fact that our train was a double decker and we sat upstairs. As we arrived at Altach we followed the crowd to the shuttle bus to the stadium – a few minutes away. The bus was packed with genuine fans – there is no “prawn sandwich brigade”. We got to the stadium well ahead of kick-off and the children went to get some autographs as part of the programe laid on for children. We made our way to our seats in the family seating, close to the edge of the penalty area.

I’d hoped that we would have a glorious view of the mountains in the background, but we instead had driving rain and clouds for a view. I went and found the twins a hot chocolate and before we knew it, the game was starting. The stadium was around half-full – with around 4,400 spectators. The children were happy taking in the noise, the drums and just being there. The game didn’t really enthral too much due as most of the action was at the other end of the ground during the first half.

Downpour!

By half-time, the rain was horizontal and we had retreated further back into the stand. Having started in the second row, we were getting soaked in the 5th row. After the second goal went in in front of us, my twins asked to go home – having lasted nearly an hour. There was time for some compulsory merch purchases, since the next bus was not due for nearly an hour. As the rain was abating, we walked a couple of kilometres to Götzis station to get a train. There were flowers and snails to see and stroke (the snails, not the flowers) along the way.

For me, the walk past the Mösle-Stadion in Götzis was an added bonus. The stadium is the home of the famous annual Hypo-Meeting, where multi-event athletics events take place. This was where Daley Thompson once broke the decathlon world record. Above is a great video of him in action there. We got to the station and had time to grab a drink from the machine, before boarding the train back to Feldkirch. The children were happy and has enjoyed their first experience of a trip to a football match.

Post-match summary

For me there was a magic about the outing, that would not happen in the English Premier League. We were right next to the pitch, the experience is affordable. It was pleasant getting a shuttle bus to the ground and with a train ride to the game. The stadium was a bit rough and ready, but was compact and serves the community’s needs well. However, the crowd was friendly and the atmosphere good despite only being half full. It was also a parenting landmark, since I never got to attend a live game with my father. My grandfather took me to Exeter City on a couple of occasions when I was a bit older. The outing was a big success – not even the elements put a dampener on it.