When Torsten Hanke embarked on his most difficult mission, he probably had no idea what he was getting himself into. At the end of 2015, the then 52-year-old took over the presidency of the football club 1. FC Neubrandenburg 04, which had run into trouble (not for the first time). A financial audit showed that the club was deeply in debt and urgently needed a sports enthusiast and, above all, financial expert like Hanke.
Ultimately, only bankruptcy remained
The attempt to turn things around was unsuccessful, however, as the holes and problems were too big – in March 2016, FCN had to file for bankruptcy. But Hanke stayed at the helm, consolidated the club with the help of some colleagues, led it out of bankruptcy and regained lost trust. Now 1. FCN 04, the entire Neubrandenburg sports world and many others in the city are in shock: Torsten Hanke died suddenly on Monday.
“Our club mourns the loss of our long-time president Torsten Hanke. He passed away unexpectedly on Monday at the age of 60, far too early. Our thoughts are with his family at this time, to whom we extend our deepest condolences,” FCN announced on its website. Hanke was only confirmed in his position at the head of the club in October of last year. Shortly afterwards, he suffered a stroke of health, which was visible to many on the sidelines of one of his club’s football matches. He was taken to the hospital with blue lights and an ambulance.
After the precarious situation of the club had become clear, young footballers and their parents gathered together with the then new FCN president Torsten Hanke (left) in front of the Neubrandenburg town hall in February 2016 to sensitize the city’s politicians to the situation. (Photo: Roland Gutsch/NK archive)
Fought for clubs as a sports official and politician
But Hanke, the fighter, came back. He shared pictures of himself in a wheelchair that showed: It hit me hard, but I’m not giving up. Just a few days ago, they sat down with him, reports Frank Benischke, head of the Neubrandenburg housing company (Neuwoges), for which Hanke worked as head of the controlling/finance department. The discussion was about the slow return to work, which was planned for this year.
Sport and volunteer work were particularly close to Torsten Hanke’s heart. Whether as a dragon boat athlete, who became world champion in 2006 together with other competitors, or as head of the Neubrandenburg City Sports Association, or later as a board member of the District Sports Association, who was also involved in the State Sports Association. And last but not least, as a CDU politician who sat on committees for the party in the city and district. Everywhere he fought for the sports clubs and for the members who volunteer in them.
Difficult balancing act between wishes and reality
And then there was the FCN, a lifelong task. “Without Torsten, 1. FCN 04 would no longer have existed in this form. The collaboration was always characterized by trust and reliability. I am very sad,” said Norbert Conrad, the long-standing chairman of the supervisory board and Torsten Hanke’s companion in the difficult early years, in recognition of his work. After rescuing the club, Hanke repeatedly had to take stock together with the supervisory board, the board of directors and the players and compare sporting aspirations for promotion with financial reality. The result was often that there would be no way of reaching the higher league.
Some talented players left the club as a result, joining rivals in Neustrelitz or other clubs. “We are a training club,” said the president, expressing his view and also making it clear that neglecting youth work for the sake of a higher-class adventure for the flagship, the first men’s team, is out of the question for him. The recent good performances of the FCN U13 boys at the Nordkurier boys’ football tournament showed that the club was doing a lot of things right. According to the club, the FCN currently has more than 700 members who are active in 31 teams in all age groups and often help to determine the top level in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.
Torsten Hanke in the prime of life: This is how his friends and companions want to remember the 60-year-old. (Photo: private/ZVG)
A few more years of Hanke would certainly have done the FCN some good. And not only his club, the entire Neubrandenburg sports landscape, his employer, the Neubrandenburg CDU and many friends and companions mourn the 60-year-old and will miss him. Special condolences go out to his family, especially his four children.
According to the club, FCN players will wear black armbands this weekend.
