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1.01.2026Bayer 04

From the archives: 90 years ago - a big match in Leverkusen

On Sunday 26 January 1936, the local derby between relegation-threatened BV Wiesdorf and league leaders SSV ‘Bayer’ Leverkusen took place in the first district league of the Rhein-Wupper district. On the old BV Wiesdorf pitch, where the Leverkusen job centre is today, 1,800 spectators gather to watch the match.
Mannschaftsfoto 1936

The game develops into a duel between the defences. The BV Wiesdorf give their all to avoid defeat. The two forward lines lack a clear approach and scoring chances are in short supply. After a goalless first half, the Bayer team took more and more risks as the game progressed. Driven on by their lively inside left Franz Nonnenbroich, the Werkself now created chances but were denied by the post and crossbar. The Wiesdorf goalkeeper also played his part in keeping the score at 0-0 for a long time. It was not until four minutes before the final whistle that Nonnenbroich scored the winner with a header.

Unfortunately, BV Wiesdorf are relegated at the end of this season. The Bayer team became champions and, for the first time with the Bayer Cross on the shirt, played the two matches against Solingen 95 for promotion to the First Lower Rhine District Division, winning against the neighbours from the city of blades. The 1936/37 season marks the first time the team has played in Germany's second-highest division.

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