How a glance at a kitchen appliance set the ball rolling

The best stories in amateur football are written by chance. No carefully crafted marketing plan, no agency pulling the strings behind the scenes. The year is 2024: Tim Gudovius, manager at SV Rommelsbach, is standing in a shop, looking around, when his eye is caught by a kitchen appliance. The words ‘ROMMELSBACHER’ are emblazoned on the casing in clear letters.
Anyone who grew up in Rommelsbach, a district of Reutlingen, and chases the ball for SV Rommelsbach is a ‘Rommelsbacher’ through and through. Same name. Same letters. The idea was born. In the changing room, that was all the spark they needed. After the initial banter (“As if they’d ever reply!”), their ambition was sparked. Tim didn’t hesitate for long; he picked up the phone and dialled the brand manufacturer’s head office in Dinkelsbühl, Franconia.

Two locations, one common thread: approachable, down-to-earth, committed

The idea went straight to managing director Sigrid Klenk, who immediately rang back the number that had been left. What began as a spontaneous idea met with genuine interest at ROMMELSBACHER. For many companies, a call from a local league football team would have come to nothing. Not so at ROMMELSBACHER. Sigrid Klenk, the third-generation managing director of the family-run business, was delighted by the courage, the freshness and the down-to-earth naivety of the initiative.
It quickly became clear that, even though a good 130 kilometres lie between the company’s headquarters in Dinkelsbühl and the football ground in Reutlingen-Rommelsbach, both share the same values. On the one hand, the long-established company with a focus on quality and durability; on the other, the local club with strong team spirit on the pitch. The shared name takes on additional significance due to a historical coincidence: ROMMELSBACHER was founded in 1928 in nearby Stuttgart.
Although the shirt sponsorship had already been allocated when the two first made contact, the connection was never lost. Following an initial exchange in 2024, perimeter advertising began in 2025, the youth teams were kitted out with sports bags – and now this major partnership has been established.

From the 2026/27 season: #wirsindrommelsbacher on the chest

From the 2026/27 season onwards, the story will become a reality: ROMMELSBACHER will be the official main and shirt sponsor of SV Rommelsbach. When the team takes to the pitch in future, they will wear the brand’s logo on their shirts.
“When Tim’s call came through, we really had to smile – and that courage won us over straight away. We’re a family business. For us, it’s the people who roll up their sleeves and put ideas into action that count. This partnership is truly close to our hearts. We’re looking forward to the season and say together: #wirsindrommelsbacher!” — Sigrid Klenk, Managing Director of ROMMELSBACHER
“What started as a crazy idea and a laugh in the changing room has turned into a professional and very straightforward partnership. From the very beginning, our discussions with ROMMELSBACHER were on an equal footing. The fact that we’re now taking to the pitch alongside our new main sponsor gives the whole team a real boost for the upcoming season.” — Marc-Alexander Lauinger, Head of Football at SV Rommelsbach

Contract signing in Dinkelsbühl

On 1 August, the discussions culminated in an official meeting at the company’s headquarters in Dinkelsbühl. During the face-to-face meeting, accompanied by Franconian delicacies, good conversation and a great atmosphere, Sigrid Klenk and Marc-Alexander Lauinger sealed the partnership by officially signing the contract. A first glance at the printed shirt bearing the symbolic number 28 – a nod to ROMMELSBACHER’s founding year, 1928 – revealed the significance of this alliance: two organisations that believe in initiative, reliability and team spirit.

A look behind the scenes: a tour of the Dinkelsbühl site

A highlight of the day was the behind-the-scenes tour: during a guided tour of the factory halls, the guests from Rommelsbach experienced first-hand just how many people and departments are involved in the development and manufacture of kitchen appliances. This led to interesting discussions on equal terms – two teams that value hard work and reliability.

A season of new opportunities

When SV Rommelsbach take to the pitch on the first matchday of the 2026/27 season, one thing is certain: this team will be playing for an idea that began in a changing room, became a partnership in Dinkelsbühl and is now a reality. A story that shows that courage, initiative and genuine team spirit are rewarded – both on and off the pitch.
What began with a glance at a kitchen appliance ends today on the front of SV Rommelsbach’s shirts. Sometimes all it takes is a good idea and the courage to simply pick up the phone for a spontaneous idea to become a real success story.