1.11.2021Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month: Alois Reinhardt

Alois Reinhardt was born on 18 November 1961 in Höchstadt an der Aisch. At the age of 16, he left his hometown club TSV Höchstadt to join FC Nürnberg as a youth player. He signed full professional terms in 1979/80 and made his first-team debut in the second division in 1980. After promotion to Germany's top flight with FCN, the central defender scored his first Bundesliga goal in a 1-1 draw with Bayer 04 in December 1980. Alois Reinhardt joined Leverkusen three and a half years later.

The defender, noted for his tackling and heading ability, joined Leverkusen in the 1984/95 season and remained under the Bayer Cross for seven years. He made 186 appearances for the Black and Reds during that time, became a Germany international (four caps) and won the UEFA Cup with Bayer 04 in 1988. He scored the winner with a long-range effort in the 1-0 victory in the first leg of the semi-final against Werder Bremen. "That was definitely the most important goal of my career and an incredibly emotional moment for me," he said about that strike.

crop_19871125_Alois_Reinhardt_Rolff_6_vs_Mitchell_FR.jpg

In the summer of 1991, the soft-spoken man joined FC Bayern. He only made ten Bundesliga appearances there in three years due to many injuries but he was in the 1994 Bayern squad that won the league. Alois Reinhardt ended his career after that season and then worked for many years as a coach including for the FC Nürnberg and FC Kaiserslautern Reserves. He celebrates his 60th birthday this November. Many happy returns, Alois.

Related News

Dieter Bast wird 75 | Geburtstagskind des Monats August I

Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Birthday Boy of the Month 1: Dieter Bast turns 75

Dieter Bast was born in Oberhausen on 28 August 1951. He began playing football in the youth team at DJK Arminia Klosterhardt, a local club in Oberhausen. Whilst training as a toolmaker, he moved to neighbouring club Sterkrade 06/07 to play for their U19s, where he caught the eye of Bundesliga sides Rot-Weiss Essen and Borussia Mönchengladbach. Bast opted for Rot-Weiss and played in the Bundesliga from 1970 onwards. In his very first year, he made 22 appearances as a right winger, scoring three goals. Nevertheless, Essen were unable to avoid relegation.

Roque Júnior wird 50 | Geburtstagskind des Monats August II

Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Birthday Boy of the Month 2: Roque Júnior turns 50

José Vítor Roque Júnior was born on 31 August 1976 in Santa Rita do Sapucaí, in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais. As a youth, he played for São José EC, a club in the east of the state of São Paulo. His professional career began in 1995 with Palmeiras São Paulo. There, Roque Júnior quickly established himself as a key player in the team, making more than 200 appearances and enjoying significant success. With the club, he won the Copa do Brasil in 1998 and the Copa Libertadores in 1999, the South American equivalent of the European Champions League.

Von Pohjanpalo bis Ökland | Tore des Monats August

Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

Goals of the month: From Pohjanpalo to Ökland

In this video you can see impressive and important goals in the history of Bayer 04 from the month of August. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.

Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

From the archives: 75 years ago – The Bayer Lion triumphs over the Essen tomcat

The Werkself play their first top-flight match in Bayer 04’s history away at Sportfreunde Katernberg. 7,000 spectators turn up at the Am Lindenbruch stadium in that district of Essen. The Katernbergers have transformed the once ‘barren’ pitch into a real gem. On this Sunday afternoon, 19 August 1951, the lush turf provides the perfect conditions for a good game of football.

Vor 25 Jahren – Die Vize-Triple-Saison 2001/02 | Geschichte des Monats August II

Bayer 04 - 01.08.2026

History: 25 years ago – The 2001/02 treble runners-up season (August)

Following a thoroughly successful start with a 2–1 home win against VfL Wolfsburg, the Werkself are organising a team event. On Wednesdays, they head to the Nürburgring together and do a few laps at speed. Manager Klaus Toppmöller welcomes this initiative, as it promotes team spirit and integration. During weekly training sessions, the team works extensively on various defensive tactics, as the manager was dissatisfied with his players’ pressing in the final minutes of the match against the Wolves.