Back
17.08.2019Bayer 04

Kies and Vollborn named honorary captains

Ulf Kirsten kicked it off in 2004 and was followed in 2008 by Carsten Ramelow, Bernd Schneider came in 2010 and in 2015 finally Simon Rolfes added to the group of honorary captains at Bayer 04. Now this illustrious group has two new members: Stefan Kießling and Rüdiger Vollborn have been named as honorary captains by the club and thereby take the illustrious circle of Leverkusen legends up to six.
crop_20190817_Award_Fernando_Carro_Rudi_Voeller_58813.jpg

Ahead of the kick-off against SC Paderborn, Rudi and Kies were presented with honorary captain pennants by Fernando Carro, chairman of the board, and sporting managing director Rudi Völler. There are four selection criteria: At least 10 years with the Werkself, at least 300 competitive matches, including over 100 games as captain or deputy plus an outstanding personality.

Both goalkeeper Rüdiger Vollborn and striker Stefan Kießling have left a lasting impression on the history of Bayer 04. Vollborn, the Werkself player with the most appearances in the Bundesliga (401), was in goal for the UEFA Cup win in 1988 as well as for the DFB Cup victory in 1993. The massive extent to which Stefan Kießling is valued by the fans was evident by the emotional moments in May 2018 at the end of his career when the whole stadium honoured him in the home game against Hannover and deservedly celebrated him with a moving choreography.

Welcome to the illustrious club of honorary captains, Rudi and Kies!

 

Related News

Women lose in Wolfsburg after a stunning goal by a former player | 20th matchday
Werkself-TV - 15.03.2026

Women: TV-highlights of 1-2 loss at VfL Wolfsburg

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of the Bayer 04 women's 1-2 loss at VfL Wolfsburg on the 20th matchday of the Google Pixel Frauen-Bundesliga 2025/26.

Show more
Besprechung im Training
Women - 15.03.2026

'Match them as equals when it's 11 vs. 11': Women out for revenge at Wolfsburg for reverse fixture defeat

The Bundesliga home game against VfL Wolfsburg in the first half of the season was one of those classic ‘days to forget’ for Bayer 04 Women. It started with goalkeeper Charlotte Voll being shown a red card in the first minute of the game, and following a further sending-off, coach Roberto Pätzold's 9-women side ended up losing 5-1 to last season's runners-up. At 18.30 CET on Sunday, they'll have the chance to exact revenge at the AOK Stadium - and pick up valuable points in the race for third place.

Show more
Patrik Schick against Konrad Laimer
Bundesliga - 15.03.2026

Werkself Review #B04FCB: 'Played with structure, passion and power'

After full time in the 1-1 draw against FC Bayern Munich, the Bayer 04 fans first had to catch their breath. Firstly because of their usual loud support, and secondly because of the great drama they'd witnessed on the pitch: three disallowed goals, two red cards and a Werkself side who "again produced a very good performance against strong opponents", as head coach Kasper Hjulmand described. The Dane was particularly enthused by the performance of young Montrell Culbreath, while Patrik Schick got to enjoy his 200th appearance under the Cross. The Werkself Review unpacks the action.

Show more
Werkself miss out on victory in a thrilling match | 26th matchday
Werkself-TV - 14.03.2026

TV highlights of 1-1 draw against FC Bayern

Werkself TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 1-1 draw against FC Bayern Munich on Matchday 26 of the 2025/26 Bundesliga season...

Show more
Montrell Cubreath gegen Konrad Laimer
Bundesliga - 14.03.2026

Werkself held to 1-1 draw by Bayern in eventful encounter

Bayer 04 were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Bayern Munich in an eventful Matchday 26 fixture in the Bundesliga. Aleix Garcia had given the Werkself the lead inside six minutes, but Bayern levelled in the second half through Luis Diaz, despite Nicolas Jackson having been send off before the break. Diaz was then dismissed himself as Leverkusen pushed for a winner, which failed to materialise as Jonas Hofmann saw a late goal ruled out.

Show more