Back
1.01.2022Bayer 04

From the archives: Defeat in big match

After the Second World War, the Rhine District Leagues One and Two underpinned the top-flight in western Germany, the First Oberliga West. There was a top match in Group 1 on 23 January 1949: The league leaders Bayer 04 are away to Preußen Dellbrück.
crop_19490123_Helmut_Rennen_1.jpg

In front of a full house, the match develops into a battle with Preußen taking a 2-0 lead into half-time. In the second half, the Werkself push the opponents back into their own half. Centre forward Helmut Lasser and midfield maestro Richard Job deservedly level with goals on 52 and 68 minutes. Less than seven minutes after the equaliser at 2-2, a Dellbrück defender saves the ball on the line with his hand. Richard Job puts the penalty wide of the target. A real blow seven minutes later: Preußen centre forward Schmidt scores his third goal to keep the title race alive.

Despite this 3-2 defeat, Bayer 04 end the season as champions of the Rhine District League 1 but lose out in the play-off for promotion to the First Oberliga West over two legs against FC Köln. Leverkusen are members of the newly established Second Oberliga West from the 1949/50 season

 

crop_19490123_75_Richard_Job_schisst_Elfmeter_neben_das_Tor.jpg

 

The images clearly show how important football was to people over 70 years ago. The crowds are on the edge of the pitch and with the missed penalty you can see spectators standing on the pitch next the goal, one with a camera in his hand. You can almost feel the passionate atmosphere at the Preußen stadium…

 

Related News

Wolfgang Vöge
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2025

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.

Show more
Andreas Thom
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2025

Birthday boy of the month III: Andreas ‘Andi’ Thom turns 60

Andreas Thom was born on 7 September 1965 in Rüdersdorf near Berlin in Brandenburg. Andreas displayed an exceptional talent on the ball even as a child. Early on, he joined the youth section at BFC Dynamo Berlin, one of the leading football clubs in the German Democratic Republic. There he received targeted, performance-oriented training as part of the GDR sports system. His talent, his vision and his technique led him to make his debut in the first team at BFC Dynamo at the age of 17.

Show more
Jens „Melle“ Melzig
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2025

Birthday boy of the month II: Jens ‘Melle’ Melzig turns 60

Jens Melzig was born in Cottbus on 28 September 1965. Melle, as he was called at Leverkusen, started his playing career at his hometown club Energie Cottbus. As a young player there he soon stood out thanks to his strength in challenges and his ability to read the game. He was in the Energie Cottbus first team in 1984 and he played for the club in the GDR league and the Oberliga. With 144 appearances and twelve goals he became one of the big players in defence. He made a major contribution to the club during this period – as a strong-tackling central defender who also displayed leadership qualities.

Show more
Lucio
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2025

Legends: Lucio, the Brazilian elemental force

Lucio, full name Lucimar Ferreira da Silva, was born on 8 May 1978 in Planaltina, a suburb of the Brazilian capital Brasília. He showed his passion for football even as a child. On the dusty streets of his neighbourhood he spent hours chasing the ball – often in bare feet like many Brazilian children. Despite the simple conditions he grew up in, his family always supported his dream of one day becoming a great football player. He made his first steps in club football at small local clubs before moving onto the youth set-up at the club Guará and later he singed for the big club Internacional Porto Alegre. Bayer 04 signed the internationally completely unknown defender from there in January 2000.

Show more
Admir Mehmedi
Bayer 04 - 01.09.2025

Goals of the month: From Ökland to Mehmedi

In this video you can watch impressive and important goals in the history of Bayer 04 in the month of September. It is not always about the beauty of the goals but also about remembering special games and players.

Show more