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

Herbstcamp mit Loreen Bender und Selina Ostermeier
Football Academy - 29.10.2026

Bender and Ostermeier visit Bayer 04 Football Academy autumn camp

A special afternoon at the Bayer 04 Football Academy autumn camp: At the Liga 20 indoor football centre, in the shadow of the BayArena, two Werkself women’s team players led a training session. Loreen Bender and Selina Ostermeier not only offered the young players advice and support, but also got stuck in themselves.

Show more
TV highlights of 5-2 win against Nürnberg | 2nd round DFB-Pokal
Werkself-TV - 28.10.2026

TV highlights of 5-2 win against Nürnberg

Werkself-TV shows the highlights of Bayer 04's 5-2 win against 1. FC Nürnberg in the second round of the DFB-Pokal 2026/27...

Show more
Die Werkself jubelt!
DFB-Pokal - 28.10.2026

Werkself come from behind to beat Nürnberg 5-2 in DFB Pokal

Bayer 04 came from 2-0 down to beat Nürnberg 5-2 in the second round of the 2026/27 DFB Pokal on Wednesday night. Edmond Tapsoba’s double either side of half-time sparked the turnaround, before Patrik Schick, Jonas Hofmann and Lucas Vázquez ensured progress to the last 16 for the 2024 cup winners.

Show more
20261027_JS_Stadion_2642.jpg
DFB-Pokal - 28.10.2026

Matchday News: Take strong home form into cup

The Werkself have reached at least the semi-finals of the DFB Pokal in each of the last three years. The Black-and-Reds would like to make it to the final four of the competition again this season, but to do that they'll need to overcome 1. FC Nürnberg in round two, who travel to the BayArena with momentum following a successful league campaign so far. However, Bayer have a 100 percent record at home in all competitions this season - and have also won six of their last seven home matches in the Pokal. The Matchday News.

Show more