Herbert Hainer: 'Time becomes legend with these members'

Seventy-three guests of honour – some who had travelled especially from as far as Kiel – transformed Eventbox 8 of the Allianz Arena into a room full of anecdotes. At the traditional Honours Day, FC Bayern once again recognised its most loyal members for 50, 60, 70 and 80 years of membership ahead of the 5-1 win over Hoffenheim. “You were all visionary and far-sighted,” said president Herbert Hainer, before the honorary pins and certificates were presented. “We’re proud that you’re part of our FC Bayern family.”

Throughout the day, the executive committee of Hainer, Professor Dr. Dieter Mayer and Walter Mennekes were also on hand for selfies in the stands for the supporters with 35 years of membership, together with FCB legends Raimond Aumann, Klaus Augenthaler and Hans Pflügler. Dr. Edmund Stoiber was then celebrated with special applause from the crowd of 75,000 on the pitch before kick-off for 60 years of membership and awarded honorary membership.

Here in this room, Hainer began his opening speech, “sit four generations of FC Bayern loyals: with you, our most loyal members, time becomes legend! You stand faithfully by FC Bayern, you are more than fans, you have earned a membership with a star. Thank you for every season, for every hour, for every shared ‘Mia san mia’ moment!’ The president took those present, including eV managing directors Benny Folkmann and Kiki Hasenpusch, on a journey through time to the years 1956, 1966 and 1976 – the years in which those present had declared their membership. Special applause was given to Ludwig Pfirstinger and Fritz Grininger, who have both been with the club for 80 years and were unfortunately unable to attend.

Beckenbauer not forgotten

Stoiber also received great applause. Hainer's remark that the long-standing Bavarian Minister-President only officially joined the Christian Social Union party five years later was met with laughter from the guests. There was sustained applause when the president recalled Franz Beckenbauer at the 1966 World Cup: “’Der Kaiser’ remains unforgotten, perhaps he’s listening to us up there.” The club has been holding the Honours Day for years, Hainer continued, “because it is thanks to all of you that we have become the FC Bayern we are today”.

Anyone who joined FC Bayern in 1956 had good instincts, said Hainer: “Firstly, believe it or not, our basketball department was already celebrating its tenth anniversary at the time. But above all, there was an important switch in the Oberliga Süd,” he said with a wink. “FC Bayern were promoted back at the first attempt – and at the same time, the Blues [1860 Munich] were relegated.” The hall responded with proud applause. In 1966, the DFB Cup was won for the second time with a 4-2 victory over Meidericher SV, and in 1976, the European Cup was won for the third time in a row along with the Intercontinental Cup. Hainer also recalled another milestone in the club's history: “FC Bayern Women won the championship for the first time. Most recently, our women's team have lifted the trophy three times in a row, so you can see how enormously this area has developed since 1976.”

This time, a total of 88 members were honoured for 50 years of club membership, 52 for 60 years and the associated appointment as honorary members, three for 70 years and two for an impressive 80 years. In addition to Stoiber, Hainer gave a warm welcome to Michail Kassabov, the long-serving vice president of the Bulgarian Football Union, who was accompanied by Consul General Stefan Ionkov and has been part of FC Bayern for 50 years; Claudia Ide-Scherer, wife of the late former president Fritz Scherer and a member for 35 years; and Josef Summerer, who has been with the club for 50 years and was captain of FC Bayern II in the final of the German Amateur Championship in 1983. He is still a part of the famous Monday football group to this day. Helmut Lawerenz, senator of the ‘Filser Buam’ and also a Monday footballer, was likewise among those honoured. He has been part of the FCB family for half a century.

Hans-Joachim “Puky” Pukall came specially from Kiel to celebrate 50 years of membership. There was a sticker album for the 1956/66 season – he brought it along especially to honour the occasion – and no one wanted to swap Franz Beckenbauer pictures with him, of which he had many duplicates. “Who is that, what kind of club is that, they'll be relegated again anyway,” he was told, so he decided: “Now I'm going to become a member.” I told the others: “This is going to be the best club in the world one day!’ The rest is (football) history.

Kassabov recounted how he first came to FC Bayern as an interpreter and was offered membership at the time: “It was an honour even back then.” There are many fans of the German champions in his home country of Bulgaria, “and I am very proud to be part of this club”. Summerer still fondly remembers his time with the reserve team, wearing the red jersey for 13 years: “This club simply doesn't forget you – and only FC Bayern could organise an Honours Day like today.” Willy Zeiträg (60 years at FCB) grew up alongside Gerd Müller in Nördlingen – and later joined FC Bayern's basketball team, with whom he won the cup in 1968: “To this day, our team from back then still meets up for a monthly get-together – these are friendships for life.” Max and Helma Schierer had a special story to tell – they have been married for 56 years and have been members of FC Bayern for 50. “I am overwhelmed by this event,’ said Helma Schierer, and her husband Max added: “We're going to enjoy ourselves today.” Special applause was reserved for Edeltraud Heinisch, who with 70 years is the woman with the longest membership, having found her way to FCB through her passion for table tennis. “I was born in ‘33 – that's not my shoe size,” she smirked.

‘We can only thank them’

Before kick-off, the executive committee along with World Cup winners Aumann, Augenthaler and Pflügler paid a visit to the block where the club had invited 1,196 members who are celebrating their 35th FCB anniversary this year. The red and white community took the opportunity to get autographs and selfies. “These loyal members hold the club together,” said Hainer. ‘We can only thank them all for their passion.”