© FC Bayern
Ideally, the evening would never have ended, so after three hours of the FC Bayern Show, the audience did not simply go home. They formed a long queue from the first floor down to the ground floor of Berlin's Urania. Everyone wanted an autograph or photo of president Herbert Hainer, deputy vice-president Walter Mennekes and club legend Giovane Élber. And the Bundesliga trophy was also available for selfies. It was almost midnight when Hainer finally put down his felt-tip pen and took a breather. “It was a wonderful evening,” said the FC Bayern president. “There were 800 spectators, the hall was full – it's impressive to see that we have such a fan base even 600 kilometres away from Munich.”
FC Bayern now has over 410,000 members. “That doesn't happen by itself,” Hainer said at the event. “In our dialogue with our members, we focus on three things: participation, approachability and emotionality. There is no transfer fee for our DNA – you either have it or you don't.” Identification and identity are “important keywords for me. Especially at a time when clubs are increasingly becoming footballing corporations, FC Bayern must remain FC Bayern.” The club had invited its members in the capital and surrounding area to an exchange and the FC Bayern Show. It was an evening that moved people. An evening that made it tangible that together we are part of something bigger.
Actively contributing to the club
In the year of the club's 125th anniversary, Berlin was almost the logical choice for this extraordinary away event. After all, FCB founder Franz John grew up in what is now the Berlin district of Pankow. Initially, however, the focus at the Urania was on the present and future of the world's largest sports club. FC Bayern wanted to know how its members envisioned their club in ten years' time. “Our fans and members are the glue that holds FC Bayern together, which is why it's so important that we seek dialogue and listen to our members. Today, they gave us a few suggestions,” Hainer said. Among other things, the ZAM AKTIV exercise programme for schools and daycare centres and the PACK MA'S volunteer programme, which allows FCB members to actively participate in the club, were discussed.
President Herbert Hainer and vice-president Walter Mennekes were not only available for photos with fans but also eagerly signed autographs. | © FC Bayern
Fans were able to share their thoughts, wishes and visions in a Future Lab. Feedback on various areas of the club's work was also sought, from member services and fan clubs to product development. The stand for the club’s Red against Racism initiative and the photo booth from partner Meine Volksbank Raiffeisenbank, which supported the FC Bayern Show and provided the main prize of the evening, were also very well received – two tickets for the exclusive sponsors' lounge at the home game against Wolfsburg at the Allianz Arena, presented by CEO Wolfgang Altmüller together with Mennekes.
Young fans of the TEENS CLUB also had the opportunity to meet with Hainer and Mennekes. “We are counting on you, on your voices, your creativity and your courage,” Hainer told the teenagers. “You are not only the future, you are already an important part of FC Bayern today.” On the subject of Red against Racism, he once again made the club's stance clear: “I say loud and clear, especially in our times and in our capital city, that those who exclude others lose – in sport as in life.”
The FC Bayern Show
The highlight was the FC Bayern Show. Stephan Lehmann and Fabian Raabe took the audience on an emotional journey. They met heroes such as Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Bastian Schweinsteiger, pioneers such as Kurt Landauer and Uli Hoeneß. Together, they relived Barcelona 1999 and the Finale dahoam in 2012, and cheered on Milan 2001 and Wembley 2013. Élber with his anecdotes and musician Otto Schellinger with his band lightened up the evening. The fans struggled to stay in their seats, proudly waving their scarves in the air.
The FC Bayern Show provided an unforgettable evening for fans in Berlin. | © FC Bayern
Hainer was thrilled: “I thought the event was incredibly good. Although I've seen all the pictures countless times before, I still got goosebumps several times.” Mennekes felt the same way. “The ups and downs of emotions really get to you. I had to hold back a tear or two,” said the vice-president. Before leaving the Urania, he noted with satisfaction: “Munich is a long way from Berlin. Nevertheless, the fans here also feel that FC Bayern is their home. And today's event has brought them even closer to the club.”
President Hainer visited the Greding fan club for their anniversary:
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