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1.12.2024Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month 1: Helmut Röhrig turns 80

Helmut Röhrig was born in Leverkusen on 14.12.19 44. He learned to play football at Bayer 04 and became a Middle Rhine champion with the U19s in 1963 finishing ahead of FC Köln. He played in the second team at the Werkself in his first year in senior football.
Helmut Röhrig

In that year, when his ten years older brother Werner ended his football career at the age of 28 and started working for Bayer AG, Hemmi, as his teammates called him, stepped up to the first-team. He made 215 appearances between 1964 and 1972 and scored 16 goals. As a centre half, today comparable with a holding midfielder, he played a big part in the success of the 1960s. Out of the blue, Helmut Röhrig won the Regional League West title with Bayer 04 in 1968. The club was on the verge of making it to the Bundesliga but the Werkself lost out to Kickers Offenbach.

Helmut Röhrig

For the 1972/73 season, Hemmi moved on to VfR Heilbronn in the Regional League South. With that club he achieved promotion to Bundesliga 2 South. But Heilbronn were relegated after a season. Hemmi was the team captain and he only played 18 games in that season due to a knee injury that saw him spend half the season in the stands. After another year and missing out on going back up, he moved on to SV Neckargerach at the age of 31 before ending his career a couple years later at SpVgg Frankenbach.

Helmut, who still lives in Heilbronn, went on to coach after his playing career at SV Neckargerach, VfR Heilbronn, SpVgg Frankenbach, SG Bad Wimpfen and Union Böckingen.

Dear Hemmi, I wish you many happy returns on your 80th birthday! Have a good one and stay fit and healthy.

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