Roland Kock reflects on over 600 matches managed at RSV Praest
A Glimpse into Coach Roland Kock's Spectacular 21-year Tenure with RSV Presst
With a whopping 21-year tenure under his belt, the legendary coach Roland Kock has shaped the fortunes of RSV Presst. From thrilling victories to challenging setbacks, he's witnessed it all, and come November, it's time to celebrate! For the first time ever, an "RSV Legends Party" is planned to take place at the Presst clubhouse on November 22, 2025. With a ten-person committee organizing the festivities, high spirits run rampant! "I can't wait for the big day," a jovial Kock exclaims, with a plethora of positive responses rolling in. Among the guests, the charismatic Jean-Paul Heijmen will be traveling all the way from Switzerland to attend the grand bash.
A Football Fairytale
But let's take a walk down memory lane—starting from 2004, when Kock took charge in the Kreisliga B and steered the team to a champion's finish. "There were definitely 200 passionate Presst fans at the last game at Anholt," Kock recalls, "and that promotion was something special because I knew how much it meant." With this boost, he recruited strong talents, culminating in an impressive streak of 18 unbeaten games and a finishing position of second in the district league.
2012 and 2020: State League Apart
The hot streak continued in 2012 when the RSV clinched the district league championship, leaving its neighbor SV Vrasselt trailing in their wake. The team executed impressively in the state league, but unfortunately, a 0:1 opening loss to Duisburger SV meant their eventual relegation. In 2020, the club demonstrated their mettle once more, taking second place after a dominant 5:0 victory against SV Vrasselt, securing a second promotion to the Landesliga.
But, alas, both seasons were abruptly cut short due to the pandemic. The 2020/21 season met an untimely halt, while the following year managed to complete a full season but never managed to rise above the struggling Landesliga, despite a gutsy 3:3 draw against TSV Meerbusch 2 on the final matchday.
Memorable Moments
The local derbies were always unforgettable, often marred by the nail-biting tension that keeps fans on the edge of their seats. An incident to remember involved a 1:3 deficit against SV Vrasselt in 2011, which they managed to reverse thanks to the improbable heroics of Roman Mischel scoring the winning goal. Another unusual match was the snow-covered encounter against Kevelaer in which misplaced cones had to suffice as markers, leaving the final score at an exciting 4:4.
Hall Championships were always a highlight, particularly the one held in Emmerich, which enjoys a significant status in the city. Kock recalls being named Emmerich's team of the year in 2005, along with Nico Hülkenberg, and the stadium expansion celebration in 2008 featuring a late-night performance by Michael Wendler in the festival tent. Despite the joyous moments, there have been tearful episodes, too, like the sudden passing of long-standing captain Frank Böcker, which left Kock devastated.
Pillars of Support
Many talented players have been coached by Kock, including Marcel Wolters, Juri Wolff, Michael Schulz, Patrick Gottschling, Steffen Nüßmann, Jens Ricken, Justin Ising, Daniel Zwiekhorst, and Dennis Döring. Christoph Tilleman has stood by Kock and the club throughout the 21-year journey, marvelously handling beverage and cash management as well as serving as a dependable linesman. Ralf Knist, Manfred Schnetzer, Patrick Prehn, Christoph Legeland, Rainer Gasse, Rüdiger Böhlke, Hans-Joachim "Joko" Wolters, Detlev Brinkmann, Ulf Zwiekhorst, Ralf Pekel, and Christian Ising are among the distinguished coaches and staff who've assisted Kock throughout the years.
And finally, a heartfelt thank you to Michael Kühn and the board for extending their trust and support, ensuring that Kock's role at RSV Presst remains one of the most remarkable and enduring legacies in the football club's history.
In the midst of Coach Roland Kock's celebrated 21-year tenure with RSV Presst, his passion for sports, particularly football, led to a range of memorable moments. As early as 2004, Kock's strategic guidance enabled RSV Presst to clinch the Kreisliga B championship, a victory that was as significant for the team as it was for the football-loving fans.
