1.09.2025Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month I: Wolfgang ‘Wolle’ Vöge turns 70

Wolfgang Vöge was born on 15 September 1955 in Ahlen, Westphalia and he was the fourth of seven children of a miner. His father, Erich Vöge, was a football referee as well. At an early age, Wolle, as he was called by his friends and teammates, developed a great passion for football and was an enthusiastic fan of BVB. His first success in football was achieved in the amateur game at his hometown club of SV Ahlen. He scored 26 goals in the first season and he came to the attention of scouts. That led to his move to Borussia Dortmund in 1975.

Video is missing

four years as an outside right at the Werkself

Wolfgang made his debut for Borussia Dortmund in Bundesliga 2 but he gained promotion with the club to the Bundesliga straightaway. Over several seasons he established himself as a fast right-winger. He joined Bayer 04 in the summer of 1980 and over the next four years he was part of the team that established our club in the Bundesliga. In 125 Bundesliga games he scored 24 goals, which he usually celebrated with outstretched arms. He made a total of 135 appearances for Bayer 04.

career ends in switzerland

Wolfgang went to Switzerland in 1984 where he played for a number of clubs. He started at FC Lugano, where he scored an impressive 29 goals in National League B and he was the top goalscorer in the league. After that he played for FC Winterthur and finally for FC Zürich where he ended his playing career due to a serious crucial ligament injury.

After he stopped playing, the father of three children started a second career as a football agent. He founded IFM Sportmanagement GmbH in Winterthur in Switzerland and in the late 1980s and early 1990s he was one the first professional football players agents in Europe. Thanks to his long years of experience at a professional level, his language knowledge and his coaching badge he was involved in numerous transfers including Germany internationals going to Italy.

Dear Wolle, I wish you many happy returns on your 70th birthday!

Related News

Jacek Krzynowek wird 50 | Geburtstagskind des Monats Mai

Bayer 04 - 01.05.2026

Birthday boy of the month: Jacek Krzynowek turns 50

Jacek Krzynowek was born on 15 May 1976 in Kamiensk, Poland, and grew up as a typical country boy. He spent his childhood less in structured training sessions and more on simple pitches, where he spent hours playing football with older boys. He realised early on that he had exceptional shooting power and enormous stamina. But for a long time, he didn't appreciate just how much talent he had. While others dream of a great career, professional football initially seems like a distant world to him that he only knows from television.

Carsten Ramelow – Der Dauer(b)renner | Legende des Monats Mai

Bayer 04 - 01.05.2026

Legend: Carsten Ramelow - The perennial favourite

Carsten ‘Calle’ Ramelow was born in Berlin on 20 March 1974. He began his football career in the youth teams at Tasmania 73, Tennis Borussia, SC Siemensstadt and, last but not least, Hertha Berlin. It was here that he reached the DFB Pokal final in 1993 with the Hertha Bubis team, the amateur team at Hertha Berlin, against his future employer Bayer 04 Leverkusen. But even he was unable to prevent the Werkself's 1-0 victory thanks to a goal from Ulf Kirsten.

Vor 30 Jahren – Rettung in letzter Sekunde | Spiel des Monats Mai

Bayer 04 - 01.05.2026

Match of the month: 30 years ago - Last-minute rescue

The 1995/1996 season brought some innovations. For the first time, each player was given a squad number with his name printed on the back of the jersey. For the first time, coaches were allowed to make three substitutions and for the first time, three points are awarded for a win. And for the first time, I am no longer my team's number 1. I wear it on my back, but Dirk Heinen has taken over me in goal. So at first I sat on the bench a bit offended, but in the Rückrunde I realised I also had to make my contribution to the success of a team.

Von Klimke bis Wirtz | Tore des Monats Mai

Bayer 04 - 01.05.2026

Goals of the month: From Klimke to Wirtz

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

Bayer 04 - 01.05.2026

History: 75 years ago - The 1950/51 season (May)

Bayer 04 Leverkusen, promoted to the Oberliga West, welcome VfL 99 Köln for the last game of a successful season. This time, the crowd of just 2,000 spectators saw more of a friendly than a championship match. Little fight, little goalmouth action and few moves in midfield to warm the hearts of the spectators. It takes a corner to give Bayer 04 the lead. Peter Röger is on hand with his head and nods home on 43 minutes for the half-time lead. When Karl-Heinz Spikofski increased the lead to 2-0 a quarter of an hour after the restart, the result was settled. The team from Cologne were able to reduce the deficit to 2-1 in the final minute, but in the end the spectators went home looking forward to the first season for a Bayer 04 team in Oberliga West 1.