At the end of the game, we lay on the sacred turf, drunk with happiness

Thoma, who originally comes from Aschaffenburg, moved to Leverkusen-Opladen in 1997 for the love of his life. He has always been crazy about football. And so he was soon drawn to the BayArena with his family and friends. He has had a season card since 2015. But even that wasn't enough black and red in his life. And so, together with four friends, he began organising regular coach trips to Werkself away games during the double season and right up to this day.

04 questions for... Frank Thoma

Frank, how did you come up with the idea of organising coach trips?

Thoma: That was actually the result of a crazy idea in the home end after one of the many wins. We have our season tickets in C3 in the Nordkurve and people there know each other. As a result, we realised a lot of people around us would like to go on more away trips, but don't belong to any organised fan club, aren't the very youngest anymore, but aren't yet old hands either. At the end of 2023, my mates Andi, Nobbie, Marc and I slowly came up with the idea: why don't we organise something ourselves? And so, in 2024, we finally took the chance and just did it. Word got around quickly and by the DFB Pokal final at the latest, it was clear to us we would always do it - right up to today.

How do you organise it and how does a trip like this work for you?

Thoma: I’m self-employed and through my company I have good contact with a coach company. As a result, we always have the same coach and the same two drivers. I usually calculate three months in advance for around 30 people. We then spread the information in our block and via our community ‘Farbenstadt Black Lions 1904’ on WhatsApp. On matchdays, we meet at Campusallee in Leverkusen, everyone brings something to eat and drink for everyone and we get on the road. For example, I fondly remember the trip to Mainz for the last game of last season: there were 110 of us and we even had a barbecue together at the end! It's easy for someone to get lost, but our motto is always: "We leave no one behind!" (laughs)

What was 14 April 2024 like for you?

Thoma: Andi, Nobbie, Marc and I joined the fan march from Wiesdorf to the BayArena. During the game and especially after going 1-0 up, we didn't quite dare to fully celebrate. From the 80th minute onwards, however, I had to hold on to my lads to stop them from running off. After the final whistle, I cried my eyes out. At the end of the day, the four of us founding members lay on the sacred turf, drunk with happiness. I can't remember when I got home.

How do you see your coach trips going in the future?

Thoma: I would actually like it to continue in the same way as in the past two years. There are always new people joining us, we have great conversations every time and we have incredible fun together. Everyone is really welcome! I have six children - including two girls who play football and four boys. They all come along regularly. And trips like this create real networks and connections. We hope to make it to the DFB Pokal final in Berlin again this year, then there will definitely be a coach again. (laughs)

Frank Thoma looks forward to every new face. So if you are interested in joining him, please send an e-mail to  blacklions1904@gmx.de or contact him via the Bayer 04 fan support team.