Herbert Kneib: A life for St. Ingbert and the football club!

Herbert Kneib: A life for St. Ingbert and the football club!

Herbert Kneib, one of the most important personalities in the city of St. Ingbert, died in January 2023 at the age of 87. His life's work was characterized by an exceptional commitment to the community and especially for sport. Kneib was an honorary member of FC Viktoria St. Ingbert and influenced club life for decades. Already at the age of 11, in 1948, he joined the club and developed from the initial weak child to the regular player of the 1st men's team.

As a member of the Board of Directors since 1958, Kneib took numerous honorary posts in the association. Among other things, he was department head of the active teams, youth leader, treasurer and press officer. From 1989 he was an honorary member of the club. According to st-ingbert.de he was also chairman of the association of youth for 17 years. During his term in office, Kneib also carried out the planning and implementation of the Pentecost festival and transferred old club songs to the young generation of players.

volunteer engagement recognizes the community

It was particularly noteworthy as an organizer of the Ingobertus fair, which became a national attraction under his leadership. This fair was not only a cultural event, but also an important forum for local companies and clubs, and strengthened social cohesion in the region. The Mayor of St. Ingbert, Dr. Ulli Meyer, praised Kneib's incomparable commitment for both the city and FC Viktoria.

The Association of St. Ingbert (HGSI) also expressed his regret about the loss of Kneiben and emphasized its central role as the "face of the Ingobertus fair". In his last years of life, Kneib regularly visited the 1st team's games, often with a walker, and thus remained actively involved in club life. In December 2023 he was appointed honorary player of FC Viktoria for his 75-year membership.

a model for volunteering

Kneib's commitment is an example of the high priority of the volunteer in Saarland. According to a study by the Bertelsmann Foundation in 2017, social cohesion in the region is the most in Germany. The German volunteer survey 2023 shows that Saarland has the highest club density in relation to the population, which underlines the importance of voluntary commitment to social cohesion. Furthermore, the Ministry of the Environment, Climate, Mobility, Agriculture and Consumer Protection promotes the volunteer work in various areas to support motivation, transfer of knowledge and the public initiatives ( saarland.de ).

Herbert Kneib's life's work and his tireless efforts for sport and the community will remain unforgettable. Due to his commitment, he not only significantly shaped the fortunes of FC Viktoria St. Ingbert, but also promoted cohesion in the city. His death leaves a large gap in the club community and in the hearts of the people who knew him.