Such was the enthusiasm for this year's tribute matchday, many FC Bayern members arrived at the Allianz Arena too early. For everyone at FC Bayern, it's always one of the highlights of club life. "The members are the kit of our club," said president Herbert Hainer, welcoming the milestone members together with his two vice-presidents Professor Dr. Dieter Mayer and Walter Mennekes. "What would FC Bayern be without all the people who have supported and carried it over the decades? All of you here are special."
Bayern invited 90 fans, who were recognised for 50, 60 or 70 years of membership, to the Arena for the 8-1 win over Mainz 05. Because the last tribute day was cancelled due to the snow chaos that forced the match against Union Berlin to be postponed last December, the honours for 2023 and 2024 were combined. "It's a pleasure for us to thank you for your passion and your loyalty," said Hainer.
Specially for this tribute day, the Honorary Committee was also at the Allianz Arena, with Thomas Beckenbauer at the table. The son of club icon Franz Beckenbauer, who died at the start of the year, was honoured for 50 years of membership. Before everyone received their certificates of honour and the 50-year jubilarians their pins, they travelled back to the 1953/54, 1963/64 and 1973/74 seasons together with videos: what was it like back then when the members joined the club? Memories came flooding back, and stadium announcer Stephan Lehmann summarised everything as follows: "The good mood is as infectious as the pins Herbert Hainer hands out."
"I find these honours fantastic - this club life that FC Bayern offers. It's unique, and that's also why the members maintain their loyalty to this club for so long" said Willy Küffner, former chief executive of the Bavarian Football Association and founding member of the Montagskicker, who was recognised for 50 years of membership, like Werner Kern. "It's been an incredible time," said Kern, who worked for Bayern for a long time as youth director, assistant coach and goalkeeping coach. "I can't believe I've already been a member for 50 years. I have FC Bayern to thank for everything in football. I was always happy at Bayern." Helmut Schmidhuber was also distinguished for his loyalty. "It pleases me immensely to be honoured for 70 years. FC Bayern looks after its members in a way that no other club does."
8-1 win rounds off successful day
The tribute day was rounded off in Block 233, where 306 other members who have been loyal to the club for 35 years were gathered at the club's invitation. Hainer's executive committee and club legends Raimond Aumann and Hansi Pflügler congratulated them personally before the start of the match. The subsequent 8-1 triumph, which the committee watched from the stands together with the jubliarians, was the icing on the cake of an all-round successful day.
Diversity and anti-racism were also the theme of the home match against Mainz 05:
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