The visitors, including the Leverkusen-born Germany international Paul Janes, can rarely free themselves from the clutches of the Bayer attack. On 15 minutes Hans Frömmel opens the scoring with a long-range effort. That is followed by a constant bombardment on the Fortuna goal supported by cheers and the siren-like howling of children. Theo Kirchberg scores another goal before half-time but this is ruled out due to an offside decision. Centre forward Emil Becks hits the ball over the bar from three metres out just before half-time leaving the Werkself with a 1-0 lead at the break.
Bayer 04 carry on attacking after the restart. Manfred Höher hits the ball just over the target after a solo run. In addition to Höher, Anton Mauth often leads the action. Emil Becks begins to limp in the middle of the second half after taking a knock but, as was the case back then, cannot be substituted. So he just moves up and down the touchline. On 80 minutes, Anton Mauth breaks down the right flank puts a cross into the penalty area and Manfred Höher heads the ball into the back of the net. Everybody's up from their seats and minutes of celebration sound across the pitch as that goal decides the game. With the final whistle, the Werkself players throw up their arms and are happy to have beaten a famous opponent after a tough battle but with a clear and deserved victory.
The end of the season brings a fifth place finish but the Werkself gain promotion to the First Oberliga West the next season.
Christoph Daum was born on 24 October 1953 in Zwickau. As a child, he moved to West Germany with his mother and grew up in Duisburg. He developed a great enthusiasm for football at an early age, even though it soon became clear that his future lay less on the pitch than on the sidelines. Even at a young age, his passion for analysing, explaining and improving things became apparent.
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When the Bayer 04 players celebrated Christmas in 1960, they spent the winter in second place in the Oberliga West 2 on 20 points - but already five points behind leaders Schwarz-Weiß Essen. However, coach Erich Garske's team are struggling to get back on track in the new year. A goalless draw against Bonner FV at home at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium was followed by a 2-1 away defeat in Erkenschwick. The following home game also yielded just one point. As a result, the team's promotion ambitions dwindled to a minimum, as the gap to the coveted spot has now grown to a challenging ten points.
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In this video you can see impressive and important goals in Bayer 04 history from the month of February. It's not always about the beauty of the goals, but also a reminder of special games and players.
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It is 11 February 2006 and Schalke 04 and the Werkself kick off at 3.30 p.m. in a match that ends up being historic - at least from a Bayer 04 perspective.
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As league leaders, the Werkself welcomed the relegation-threatened team from Rhenania Würselen. On 4 February 1951, 5,000 spectators line the touchlines despite the Sunday carnival parades. And they see a home team that is superior on the pitch. Without Theo Kirchberg, who was ill, and Emil Becks, who was suspended, the hosts attacked the opposing goal from the start. Battling against a strong wind in the first half, Bayer 04 created chance after chance, but were repeatedly thwarted by the Würselen goalkeeper. With the score at 0-0 at half-time, Karl Heinz Spikofski tried his luck on 55 minutes and hammered the ball into the opposition net from 20 metres out. Rhenania can no longer counterattack. The siege of the Würselen penalty area continued right to the end, but the game ended in a narrow 1-0 win.
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