Postponed doesn't mean cancelled: After Herbert Hainer was unable to attend the milestone anniversaries of the ‘Wildenau’ (25 years) and the ‘Stiftland Bazis Schönkirch’ (20 years) fan clubs in the summer due to the Club World Cup in the USA, the FCB president's visit was simply rescheduled and made into a large joint celebration. Hainer got involved by wielding the baton as conductor while the brass band played. "It was a wonderful day, very much in the Bavarian spirit, with an atmosphere like at the Oktoberfest. I felt very much at home," said the president, who joined in the celebrations for several hours and answered questions, posed for selfies and signed autographs: "Our fans, especially in Bavaria, carry this club."
"I applaud the commitment of the fans"
Under the watchful eyes of the two fan club chairmen Marcus Fritsch and Markus Preisinger, Hainer signed the Golden Book of the market town of Plößberg, three hours away from Munich, and thanked them for their invitation and hospitality. "Anyone born a Bayern fan can count themselves lucky," he said, speaking from the heart of those present: he himself had always been a fan of the Reds, ever since the days of Franz Beckenbauer, he said during the event, "and I just love the way people have been passionate about this unique club for generations. I applaud the tireless commitment of the fans. I can only quote the fan anthem again and again with enthusiasm: 'Onwards and upwards, FC Bayern!' Nothing is possible without the fans."
25 and 20 years ago respectively, when the two fan clubs were founded, FC Bayern was a traditional German club with great national appeal, Hainer said, pointing out the joint development: The club management led by Uli Hoeneß and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge established the supporting pillars of financial solidity, down-to-earth values and strong regional roots. On this basis, FC Bayern became a global brand, "while at the same time never forgetting where the foundation stands: our fans, especially in the Munich area, carry this club. That much was evident again today at this doubl celebration."
Dialogue in all its facets
FC Bayern now has over 410,000 members and 330,000 fan club members worldwide, making it the largest club in the world, and Hainer stressed: "This popularity doesn't come about by itself" - the club has established many dialogue formats and introduced a volunteer programme called 'PACK MA'S', among other things, which allows members to actively get involved in the club. Among other things, the 'Stiftland Bazis' fan club has already hosted the German record champions' touring exhibition 'FC Bayern during National Socialism: Victims, Followers, Perpetrators' which explores the club's history during the Nazi era.
“It's important to me that our club maintains a dialogue with its fans, in all its facets, especially as you always take important input back to Säbener Straße. That's what I stand for with the entire executive committee", emphasised Hainer again and again. The two fan clubs had even organised Meisterschalen and Champions League trophies specially for the resident's visit - a glittering backdrop for a glittering event.
The FC Bayern Show in Berlin was a special evening for members and fans alike:
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