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1.02.2022Bayer 04

History: The first honorary president

A memorable general meeting of SV Bayer 04 Leverkusen is held on 21 February 1967 in the Krahne meeting hall. Dr. Fritz Jacobi stands down after 17 years as chairman and he also leaves the same post at RTHC Leverkusen, the club of the rowers, tennis and hockey players, where Dr. Jacobi was the the founding chairman. The Bayer AG board member goes into well-deserved retirement on 1 April 1967.
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In his time as the Bayer 04 chairman there were a lot infrastructure changes implemented together with Dr. Ulrich Haberland, chairman of the board at Bayer AG. In addition to the construction of the Ulrich Haberland Stadium and the adjoining training pitches as well as the sports facility in Manfort named after him. The Manfort Stadium was built in 1927 but the new sports hall was opened in 1957.

Dr. Fritz Jacobi said farewell to the club members with following words: “During my 17 years, I have grown very attached to the sports club that has given me their support for so long. In spite of some worries and work, the joy of the rich sporting life at the club is so great that I will always be happy to remember these times and I will always feel connected to the club.”

for life

At this general meeting, Dr. Fritz Jacobi is appointed honorary president for life by the SV Bayer board. Unfortunately, that only lasted seven years as the first honorary president at SV Bayer 04 Leverkusen passed away on 2 July 1974.

His successor was elected unanimously in February 1967. The Bayer director Dr. Wilhelm Meyerheim took over the reins and was in charge of the five sections at SV Bayer 04 Leverkusen: football, handball, athletics, boxing and fistball.

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