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17.08.2019Bayer 04

Kies and Vollborn named honorary captains

Ulf Kirsten kicked it off in 2004 and was followed in 2008 by Carsten Ramelow, Bernd Schneider came in 2010 and in 2015 finally Simon Rolfes added to the group of honorary captains at Bayer 04. Now this illustrious group has two new members: Stefan Kießling and Rüdiger Vollborn have been named as honorary captains by the club and thereby take the illustrious circle of Leverkusen legends up to six.
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Ahead of the kick-off against SC Paderborn, Rudi and Kies were presented with honorary captain pennants by Fernando Carro, chairman of the board, and sporting managing director Rudi Völler. There are four selection criteria: At least 10 years with the Werkself, at least 300 competitive matches, including over 100 games as captain or deputy plus an outstanding personality.

Both goalkeeper Rüdiger Vollborn and striker Stefan Kießling have left a lasting impression on the history of Bayer 04. Vollborn, the Werkself player with the most appearances in the Bundesliga (401), was in goal for the UEFA Cup win in 1988 as well as for the DFB Cup victory in 1993. The massive extent to which Stefan Kießling is valued by the fans was evident by the emotional moments in May 2018 at the end of his career when the whole stadium honoured him in the home game against Hannover and deservedly celebrated him with a moving choreography.

Welcome to the illustrious club of honorary captains, Rudi and Kies!

 

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