Back
1.05.2023Bayer 04

Birthday boy of the month III: Peter Szech – unforgotten

Peter Szech was born in Essen on 26 May 1953. He started his career as a striker there. After three years at Schwarz-Weiss Essen he joined VfR Neuss in 1975 where he stood out with his ability to score. Bayer 04 brought him under the Bayer Cross in 1978 and he played a significant part in promotion to the Bundesliga in his first season with 15 goals.

Display videos

Yes, I'd like to see videos dispalyed.

In his four years at Leverkusen he was one of the regular starters making a total of 140 appearances and scoring 40 goals along the way. Older Bayer 04 fans may well particularly remember his two goals in the play-off match against Kickers Offenbach at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium in 1982. After that season, Peter Szech joined Bayer 05 Uerdingen and he ended his playing career in 1984 in his hometown at Rot-Weiss Essen.

1979-05-12_84_Minute_3_3_Bruecken_2_schiesst_den_Ausgleich_Juergen_Gelsdorf_Peter_Szech_jubeln.jpg

In the mid-1990s he moved with his family to a farm in Thailand. In February 2014 he was involved in an accident on his motorbike there and was flown to Germany where he underwent an operation in Neuss. He passed away on 3 March 2014 as a result of his serious injuries.

Peter Szech would have been 70 on 26 May. I take this opportunity to remember an important player in Bayer 04's history.

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