FC Bayern’s Montagskickers have been legendary for decades: persons like Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller, Uli Hoeneß or Karl-Heinz Rummenigge are part of this select circle that celebrated its 50-year anniversary in 2023. This year’s Christmas party was particularly memorable: promotion hero Peter Kupferschmidt took part (he passed away days later) – and long-standing advisory board members Eckhart Müller-Heydenreich, Werner Fuchs and Ludwig Pfirstinger (member number three), three Montagskickers, were honoured by President Herbert Hainer, who had travelled from his holiday. The first two are still chasing the ball at the proud age of 90: FC Bayern keeps you young.
It was a personal matter for him to “be here today – the Montagskickers represent the spirit of togetherness at FC Bayern, which has also been lived off the pitch for decades,” was Hainer's conclusion after the celebration with 55 guests at the Allianz Arena. Moderated by long-time FCB media director Markus Hörwick (also a member), the Moki president and FCB honorary council member Reinhard Böker presented the honours to the jubilarians together with Hainer. “The Mokis are a family institution at FC Bayern,” said Böker, “and tradition is what has defined this circle and the entire club for decades.” Among the guests of honour invited by the Moki executive committee around Böker, treasurer Klaus Peter and secretary Ali Hertz were Jürgen Muth (Allianz Arena managing director) and eV managing director Benny Folkmann. One of the highlights was a raffle in which the Moki executive committee donated VIP tickets for FCB matches as the main prizes.
The Montagskickers have been around since 1973. They were initiated by the then president Wilhelm Neudecker as a way for members to play football in the evenings after the start of the working week and to round off the training session with a get-together. From world champions like Klaus Augenthaler and Hansi Pflügler to former coaches and players such as Tschik Čajkovski, Wiggerl Landerer, Georg Bogeschdorfer, Kurt Hauer, Werner Olk and Norbert Janzon to decision-makers like Karl Pfab, Hans Schiefele, Dr Fritz Scherer, Bernd Rauch and Werner Kern – the list of Mokis reads like a who's who of prominent persons. Hainer, CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen and vice-president Professor Dr Dieter Mayer are also part of the circle.