Bethel - Fabian Klos is his great role model

You can tell at first glance that Patrick Noppenberger is a football enthusiast when the 32-year-old trains with the Bethel football group. He proudly wears a blue jersey from his favourite club, Arminia Bielefeld. It has the number nine on the back, which was always worn by Patrick's idol Fabian Klos, striker and Arminia record player: " Because he scored 120 goals, but he's retired now. In terms of character, he definitely fitted in at Arminia Bielefeld. And I celebrated him the way he scored the goals!"

Having and showing character: This is very important for Patrick Noppenberger both on the pitch and in life. He's not a man of many words, but that doesn't matter in the football group. He is accepted there, is integrated and feels comfortable. Because every one of the 20 or so players who come together on Tuesday afternoons to play football on the idyllic artificial pitch in Bethel has limitations. But it's all about fun, motivation, team spirit and fair play, says Patrick enthusiastically. "I definitely enjoy it. My team-mates are so nice. We can also talk to each other well. I like that too."

In small groups, the players skilfully pass the balls to each other, from left to right, criss-crossing. Patrick Noppenberger has been part of the Bethel football team for two years. He always comes all the way from Ummeln, where he has been living for a year in an assisted living facility run by the v. Bodelschwingh Foundation Bethel. The big Arminia fan has now settled in well there: "I have a bit of a problem with writing and maths. But the carers are helping me to deal with reading and money where I live now. And that works well. The carers are there 24 hours a day, which is also good."

Sport is a more than welcome and important balance to work for most of the players here, including Patrick Noppenberger. In an integrative car workshop in Bethel, he is responsible for ensuring that the screw store is always well stocked and everything is in the right place. The wiry young man says that really working out is his thing. He is grateful for the many sports opportunities at Bethel: "Bethel athletics is great, and I'm also registered for the summer camp. I really enjoy both. I've also been running from time to time for two years now, but I do that on my own."

But nothing beats his weekly football training with his boys. In the eight-a-side game, they all want to show what they can do. Patrick is persistent, agile and skilful on the pitch and is always ready for a pass. After training, Patrick is exhausted but satisfied - and is already looking forward to the next time: "The passes always go really well for me and I scored the first goal. I'm proud of that!"

Text: Jörn Haarmann Photos: Matthias Cremer