Back
1.10.2024Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month four: Thomas Reichenberger is 50

Thomas ‘Thommy’ Reichenberger was born in Bad Kreuznach on 14 October 1974. The son of a former Bundesliga player – his father Max made 38 Bundesliga appearances for 1860 Munich – played for Eintracht Bad Kreuznach as a youth player before moving up to the first team.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

After brief guest appearances for Hassia Bingen and SV Wehen the 1.74 metre tall but very quick centre forward joined the Bayer 04 second team in 1997 but he was also in the senior squad. In his first season under the Bayer Cross he scored 20 goals in 30 games in the Oberliga Nordrhein but only made his Bundesliga debut in the second year at Bayer 04. He came on as a substitute on 83 minutes on the second matchday in Freiburg.

He scored his first Bundesliga goal in his third game. On 85 minutes, six minutes after coming on, he scores the winner at 3-2 away to Eintracht Frankfurt after being 2-0 down. He pulls off the same trick again two weeks later – again six minutes after coming on this time on 53 minutes and he scores twice within a minute. He scores goals number six and seven for Bayer 04 on 59 and 60 minutes in an 8-2 away win at Borussia Mönchengladbach. Thommy played 30 games for our team and scored five goals. As he very rarely played in his third season for the Werkself he moved on to league rivals Eintracht Frankfurt.

19981025_Thomas_Reichenberger.jpg

After playing for Energie Cottbus and KFC Uerdingen 05 he joined VfL Osnabrück where he settled down. In the next six years he became a crowd favourite and was always the top scorer for his team the exception of the last year. He ended his professional playing career in 2010 and became team manager of the first team also occasionally played for the VfL second team.

In 2014 he set up his own sports agency, organising children's football camps and events in around football.

Dear Thommy, Happy 50th birthday and stay healthy!

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.

Show more
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.

Show more
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.

Show more
crop_19510819_Fredy_Mutz_1.jpg
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.

Show more
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.

Show more