He's the man who fired FC Bayern to their first-ever European trophy. On 31 May 1967, just two years after being promoted to the Bundesliga, the team from Munich were playing in the final of the European Cup Winners' Cup in front of over 70,000 spectators in Nürnberg. The Bayern fans had to endure 108 tense minutes against Glasgow Rangers before being sent into raptures. In his debut season, Franz 'Bulle' Roth put the Reds 1-0 up with an artistic goal, securing the first European title in the club's history. On Monday 'Bulle' turned 74 years old and fcbayern.com congratulates him warmly!
On hand in the decisive moments
Franz ‘Bulle’ Roth following his winning goal against St. Etienne, being embraced by Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (left) und Udo Horsmann (right). | © Imago
It wasn't the only title that the midfielder was largely responsible for. In Bayern's second European Cup final against Leeds United in 1975, Roth also scored the important opening goal and a year later, in the final against St. Etienne, he also netted the golden goal with a powerful free-kick, securing a European Cup hat-trick for Bayern. With the Reds, Roth won a total of four German championships, and lifted the DFB Cup and European Cup three times each. Added to that were one Intercontinental Cup win and a European Cup Winners' Cup triumph. Only a very few players can boast a haul of trophies like that!
Check out the best photos from Roth‘s career here:
Always loyal
In other respects too, the ever cheerful Roth knew how to make an impact. For example, many will remember the tremendous shot that caused the Grünwald stadium clock to shake. The power of his shots was also aptly demonstrated in Vienna when, in a game against Rapid Wien, his strike literally burst the net. He always remained loyal to FC Bayern. "Here at Bayern I knew everything was all right," Roth once said. A true Bayern legend!
The seventies were a trophy-filled decade for FCB. We've put together the best knockout games from that period for you: