Small circle, big emotions - emotional birthday

A celebratory ambient filled the reception at City Hall for Werder Bremen's 111th birthday. This is the place where Werder celebrate championships and cup victories.
First Team
Saturday, 06.02.2010 / 09:25

Happy Birthday Werder! All the best! Thanks that you're around! Congratulations to the club which for 111 years has brought people together; induced emotions; experienced highs and....

Happy Birthday Werder! All the best! Thanks that you're around! Congratulations to the club which for 111 years has brought people together; induced emotions; experienced highs and lows; taken their challenges sympathetically, humbly and successfully. And the first congratulator at the official birthday reception late Thursday afternoon was Jens Böhrnsen, president of the senate of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen. "I congratulate Werder for their successful history and I congratulate the city for this club. This club is a terrific icon. The city thanks you for carrying the good name of Werder out into the world," said the Bremen city father, who did not hide his passion for the Green-Whites.

 

Werder's manager Klaus Filbry gladly accepted the thanks and well-wishes. "The first thing I learned with Werder is the motto that SV Werder also stands for social responsibility. And we implement that with our numerous projects. No city is as connected with a club like this one. This city needs Werder Bremen. Furthermore, Werder plays an important role in the whole region. Werder is the beacon in the northwest," said Filbry. The manager also used his speech to talk about the great names in Werder's history. He recognised players who left their mark on Werder; praised the honorary captains, the well-known Brazilians, and the extraordinary playmakers; while also thanking the legends of Werder's early years. Among those he welcomed in the reception at the Oberen Rathaushalle was Horst Stange, the oldest former player still working with Werder. The centre forward was visibly moved during the ceremony and was even able to relive some of his goals from the 1950s in a compilation film that WERDER.TV put together for the celebration.

 

Club president Klaus-Dieter Fischer took attendees on a short trip in time during his speech. He proudly presented Werder Bremen's trophy collection, including the original German Cup crowns from 1961 and 2009. He cited a letter from 1908 to the city in which Werder asked for two police officials due to constant vulgar behaviour. In addition, he also recalled the origin of the Werder club logo in 1929 and commented on the Werder diamond. "Since then it's the symbol for everything Werder: small, humble and distinctively worn over the heart," said Fischer. Among the moving moments was the first honour when Klaus Allofs became an honorary member despite being absent. "We are of course thinking about him and his deceased partner. We talked to Klaus today and decided with him to honour him during these festivities. We thank him for his career with Werder, his efforts and his service as sporting boss," said Fischer reflectively while pictures of the board of director's chairman were shown on the screen.

 

The atmosphere was more relaxed for the six present Werder greats who were honoured. Rare pictures, witty praise and plenty of humour accompanied the honouring of football giants Otto Rehhagel, Willi Lemke, Manfred Müller, Thomas Schaaf and Karl-Heinz "Kalli" Kamp as well as Werder track and field legend Karl Kluge, who travelled extra from Vienna to attend the event.

 

Werder Bremen's birthday celebrations were finished off with a dinner in the Ratskeller City Hall cellar with good discussion, good wine and plenty of confidence. Here's to another year of Werder!

 

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