Back
1.10.2021Bayer 04

From the archives: Biggest home win in the second Oberliga West

Bayer 04 are top of the second Oberliga West in October 1961 and they entertain bottom of the table STV Horst-Emscher at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on matchday 11. The ‘Hussars’, as Horst-Emscher are called, had always been a tough opponent and they had never lost in Leverkusen since the Werkself were relegated from the first Oberliga West in 1956 and they also only conceded one goal in that time.
crop_19611029_Peters_Pospich_Niemuth.jpg

But on this particular Sunday, 29 October, the Werkself were brimming with confidence as they looked to hold on to top spot. The visitors from Westphalia went in hard and they conceded a penalty on 13 minutes, which Heinz Höher hit against the post. But Werner Röhrig follows up to make it 1-0. Bayer 04 defender Günther Haarmann commits a retaliatory foul three minutes later and is sent off. Hans Zimmermann replaces Haarmann in the defence. Horst-Emscher are slightly on top against ten Bayer 04 players up to half-time.

crop_19611029_Fredi_Mutz_Hans_Bochniak_1.jpg

 

In the second half, Heinz Höher doubles the lead on the hour mark and the ‘Hussars’ fall apart in spite of having the extra man. Höher scores another four goals, including three penalties, Hans-Otto Peters nets two. The 8-0 victory is the biggest win for a Bayer 04 team in the second Oberliga West and definitely the biggest win with ten players.

 

Related News

Christoph Daum – Der Mann, der uns das Wollen beibrachte | Legende des Monats Februar
Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

Legend: Christoph Daum - The man who taught us to want

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.

Show more
Horst Stollenwerk im Februar 1961
Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

From the archives: 65 years ago - Another victory at last

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.

Show more
Von Waas bis Tapsoba | Tore des Monats Februar
Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

Goals of the month: From Waas to Tapsoba

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.

Show more
Vor 20 Jahren – Das Spiel der offenen Tore | Spiel des Monats Februar
Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

Match of the month: 20 years ago - A game of goals galore

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.

Show more
Paul Wiorek im Februar 1951
Bayer 04 - 01.02.2026

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

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.

Show more