Bayern follow in Gerd Müller's footsteps

The menu has been revamped especially for FC Bayern's visit. ‘Gerd Müller's favourite meal’ is written on the bill, which lists roast pork with potato salad, Wiener schnitzel and Leberkäse. When the legendary FC Bayern striker moved to the USA in 1979, he opened the Ambry restaurant with Hans Huber's family. Ahead of the Club World Cup round of 16 match against Flamengo, the German champions invited fans and members to an exclusive event, which Herbert Hainer travelled directly from the airport to attend. “FC Bayern has a home here, over 9,000 kilometres away from Munich,” said the president, who, together with his first vice-president Professor Dr Dieter Mayer, presented the hosts with a signed home jersey. “Identity knows no distance, and passion for FC Bayern knows no time zones,” stated Hainer. “The Ambry is further proof of how much our club connects people – across generations, across continents, across borders.”

Hainer: ‘Whether in Munich or Miami, Gerd Müller is a hero’

To this day, the Ambry is like a museum – countless pennants and pictures hang on the walls, showing Müller together with Franz Beckenbauer, among others, during their time together in the USA: the striking idol in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and the ‘Kaiser’ at Cosmos New York. “Whether in Munich or Miami, Gerd Müller is a hero,” said Hainer. Looking at the photos on the walls here, “memories immediately come flooding back: there will never be another like Gerd Müller”. The president then recounts an anecdote about Arie Haan, Müller's opponent in the 1974 World Cup final victory over the Netherlands. Haan once said that every great player has a gift: his left foot, a certain trick, a special turn – as a defender, you can adjust to all of that. “But,” said Haan, “Gerd Müller had a nose for goals – and no one can watch their opponent's nose.” The story brings a smile to the faces of many of those present.

Still run by Huber family

Hans Huber Senior was friends with Müller in Munich. After a visit to Fort Lauderdale, the family packed their bags and moved to Florida. Today, his son Hans Jr. runs the restaurant, and everyone is proud that his father has been a member of FC Bayern for over 60 years (he’s currently listed as number 68). “FC Bayern is unique,” said his son Hans. “This club never loses sight of its fans, even from such a distance.” The certificate commemorating 60 years of membership hangs prominently in the middle of the restaurant, and the family flew to Munich especially for the tribute day at the Allianz Arena. And, of course, regular visits to Oktoberfest are a fixed part of the programme whenever possible.

A fan community regularly gathers here to watch Bayern matches. There is even a ‘Stammtisch’ (regulars’ table). Germans who have emigrated sit together with Americans who have developed a fondness for ‘soccer’ and FC Bayern. “It's like a big family here,” said Gabi Huber, who runs the business together with her brother Hans. “It's wonderful how FC Bayern brings everyone together.” The fans tirelessly take photos with the numerous memorabilia, with the ‘Golden Boot’ being particularly sought after, which is taken out of a display case especially for the occasion. In the past, busloads of fans would come by, Gerd Müller would play Schafkopf diligently and go from table to table – and every now and then Beckenbauer would sneak in and out through a back entrance. 

The club invited everyone to this special place to bring together the past and present of the club, because history connects, as symbolised by the poster ‘Creating Originals since 1900’ on the wall, which looks back on the club's 125-year success story – and to say thank you, explained Hainer: "Thank you, Gerd, for your goals – without them, FC Bayern would not be the club it is today. Thank you to the Huber family for keeping Gerd's memory alive with this historic restaurant in the USA. And thank you to all the fans who live and breathe this club and its personalities. I wish everyone a wonderful evening and an American-Bavarian exchange in the spirit of our FC Bayern: forever forward, FC Bayern – here in the USA too!” Vito, who emigrated from Hong Kong to Miami 30 years ago and has been a fan of Bayern since 1986, when he admired Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, spoke on behalf of everyone present: “We are so proud of how FC Bayern treats its fans – no other club in the world is so accessible. Sitting here at a table with the president and asking him questions – I will never forget this day."

92 fan clubs with over 6,500 members in the USA

Der FC Bayern verzeichnet in den USA aktuell 92 Fanclubs mit über 6.500 Mitgliedern. Während der Klub-WM fanden schon vor dem Abend im „Ambry“ zahlreiche Aktivierungen statt, unter anderem zwei „Pub Takeover“ in Cincinnati beziehungsweise Charlotte, ein vom Fanclub Cincinnati organisiertes Fanclub-Dinner, ein Panel-Talk mit Borussia Dortmund über Fankultur organisiert vom deutschen Generalkonsulat von Miami, die Präsentation der Wanderausstellung „Der FC Bayern im Nationalsozialismus: Opfer, Mitläufer, Täter“ in Miami, ein Fan-Event mit Paulaner im Bierhaus „Fritz & Franz“ in Miami sowie ein regionales Fanclub-Treffen in Charlotte. 

FC Bayern currently has 92 fan clubs in the USA with over 6,500 members. During the Club World Cup, numerous activities took place even before the evening at The Ambry, including two pub takeovers in Cincinnati and Charlotte; a fan club dinner organised by the Cincinnati fan club; a panel discussion with Borussia Dortmund on fan culture organised by the German Consulate General in Miami; the presentation of the touring exhibition ‘FC Bayern under National Socialism: Victims, Followers, Perpetrators’ in Miami; a fan event with Paulaner at the Fritz & Franz beer house in Miami, and a regional fan club meeting in Charlotte.

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