Werder Bremen have been looking back on a successful 2006/2007 season. Despite the strain of 51 games throughout the season and an unusual number of injuries, the Green-Whites managed an impressive third place in the Bundesliga and made the semi-final of the UEFA Cup.
Another reason for the Werder fans to wave their many flags high and euphorically. Never before has the support for the Bremen club been as massive as during the last season, made even more noticeable by the numbers of fans who travelled to away games. A stunning 10,000 Werder supporters took the trips to Berlin and Dortmund whilst a record breaking 12,000 turned up in Wolfsburg on the final day of the season: “The performances of our fans have been exemplary. Werder Bremen is one of the most popular clubs in Germany. The number of supporters of the club has been continually rising and that isn’t just due to the attractive football, which the team has been offering the fans for some time now”, explained Werder fan representative Dieter Zeiffer. Statistics shown by sport magazine ‘Kicker’ have proven Werder to be one of the greatest attractions in the country. Werder’s away average for the season stands at a whopping 44,664 ahead of Bayern Munich (43,970) and Schalke (42,688).
Internationally the Green-Whites proved to be a puller too. 3,500 fans cheered on their side against FC Chelsea in London on their Champions League adventure. Despite their teams 2:0 defeat, the fans were behind Werder for the full 90 minutes and some time after. The stewards at the stadium just stood and shook their heads in awe at the good humoured antics of the fans. Thomas Schaaf remarked at the time: “We have noticed that our fan base is growing all the time. We are delighted about that and have acknowledged their performances. The fans are always ready to make the journeys and take on a lot to see us, that we appreciate.” Thanks that the fans willingly return. Recently a banner was hung above the entry to the trainings facility stating: “Thanks for a great season, we are proud of you.”
Gestures such as this are proof of the good relationship between the club and the fans. There is a similar relationship between the fans and Ivan Klasnic. The striker has been suffering with a kidney problem since the winter break and hasn’t played since but the fans haven’t forgotten him. Prior to the home game against Nuremburg, Klasnic presented a banner of his own with the words: “Thank you for believing in me” – to thank the fans for their support and well wishes during this tough time in his career.
The feelings between the fans of the Green-Whites and the fans are mutual and should not be dampened by the summer break. The excitement is already growing ahead of the new season and as to exactly what the wonderful supports will come up with next.