The Werkself's direct challengers are FC Mülheim. Although Bayer 04 have a slightly better goal difference, Mülheim face two opponents from mid-table in Westfalia Herne and Arminia Bielefeld, who have nothing to play for. Four points from the last two games are therefore a distinct possibility for Mülheim.
honour for Bayer 04 stalwart Gustav Schmitz
On Saturday, 5 June 1976, it became clear that the appeal in the stadium courier had unfortunately not had the desired effect. The stadium is in Black and Yellow hands and the Bayer 04 fans have little chance of asserting themselves vocally.
There is another honour before the game. The long-serving groundsman Gustav Schmitz is leaving. He takes his retirement leave at the end of June and then goes into well-earned retirement on 1 January 1977. Schmitz started working for Bayer AG in September 1957. He was initially responsible for the pitch at the Alter Stadtpark and then took over responsibility for the Ulrich Haberland Stadium as stadium manager in 1958. After 18 years, during which the event to mark Bayer AG's centenary in 1963 was a highlight for him, a piece of Bayer 04 history has now passed. But Gustav Schmitz is passing on his passion to his son and grandson, both of whom were and still are responsible for the pitches on Bismarckstrasse. Gustav Schmitz's grandson Georg is now the Bayer 04 head groundsman.
relief despite defeat
But back to the game against Dortmund, which is quickly told. Borussia took the lead on nine minutes. The telephone line from managing director and stadium announcer Dieter Czysz to the game between Mülheim and Herne is at least as important as the game on the pitch at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. Coach Willibert Kremer and manager Hermann Büchel are always informed about the score as quickly as possible. Despite their team trailing 1-0 at the break, they go into the dressing room satisfied, as Westfalia Herne are leading 2-0. When Herne's third goal is scored shortly after the restart, the relief on the bench is palpable.
Dortmund score their second goal in Leverkusen. Bayer 04 try to pull a goal back, but BVB win the game 2-0. Nevertheless, the Werkself fans remain in the stadium as they wait for the result from Herne. There, in the 90th minute, the score was 6-1 and the Black and Red supporters were jubilant, as the Werkself not only had a two-point lead going into the final matchday, but also a ten-goal better goal difference. And none of those responsible at Bayer 04 believe that lead could still be squandered.
And that's what happened on the final matchday. The team from Mülheim beat Arminia Bielefeld 5-1, but Bayer 04 also finally won again. Opponents Wattenscheid 09 took the lead with a penalty, but their defender Klee then scores an own goal. After the break, Bayer 04 midfielder Peter Surbach gives the Werkself the lead, which Gerd Kentschke extends with a converted penalty. A late goal conceded, again from a penalty, did nothing to prevent Bayer 04's victory and final salvation. Bayer 04 Leverkusen will play in Bundesliga North 2 in the 1976/77 season.
