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

Michael Ballack wird 50 | Geburtstagskind des Monats September I
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2026

Birthday boy of the month 1: Michael Ballack turns 50

Michael Ballack was born on 26 September 1976 in Görlitz, in what was then East Germany. His talent for football became apparent at an early age. After his family moved to Karl-Marx-Stadt – now Chemnitz – he began playing football for BSG Motor ‘Fritz Heckert’ Karl-Marx-Stadt, where he steadily developed his skills. From Year 7 onwards, he attended the Children’s and Youth Sports School and received systematic sporting support, which, in 1988 – due to his growing skill as a player – led to a move to FC Karl-Marx-Stadt. At the age of 16, he had to take a six-month break due to growth problems, but after that, Michael was unstoppable.

Show more
Zé Elias wird 50 | Geburtstagskind des Monats September II
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2026

Birthday Boy of the Month 2: Zé Elias turns 50

José Elias Moedim Júnior, known as Zé Elias, was born on 25 September 1976 in São Paulo. He received his football training at Sport Club Corinthians Paulista, or Corinthians for short, and was promoted to the first team at the age of just 17. PSV Eindhoven had already taken notice of him by this stage, but the move to Europe was still too early for him. The tenacious defensive midfielder established himself in the first team over the following three years. With Corinthians, Zé Elias won the São Paulo City Championship and the Brazilian Cup in 1995. With his excellent vision, his determination and his assured ball control, he made a significant contribution to his team’s success.

Show more
Die Werkself im September 1976
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2026

From the archives: 50 years ago – Kentschke goal not enough

In their second season in Bundesliga 2 North, the Werkself face Fortuna Köln at their home ground, the Ulrich Haberland Stadium, on matchday 7. Both teams are level on seven points, sitting eighth and ninth in the table.

Show more
Von Szech bis Chicharito | Tore des Monats September
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2026

Goals of the month: From Szech to Chicharito

In this video you can see impressive and important goals in the history of Bayer 04 from the month of September. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.

Show more
Vor 25 Jahren – Die Vize-Triple-Saison 2001/02 | Geschichte des Monats September II
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2026

History: 25 years ago – The 2001/02 treble runners-up season (September)

September gets off to a disastrous start, though not for the Werkself: the German national team, featuring Bayer 04 players Jens Nowotny, Michael Ballack and Oliver Neuville, suffer a 5-1 thrashing at the hands of England in a World Cup qualifier at the Olympic Stadium in Munich. Jens Nowotny, in particular, came in for sharp criticism. With this defeat, Germany’s direct qualification is now hanging in the balance.

Show more