1.08.2023Bayer 04

Miscellaneous: 65 years ago – Inaugural match at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium

The first-ever match at the new stadium on Bismarckstraße, named Ulrich Haberland after the general director of Bayer AG, was played on 2 August 1958. The new venue at that point consisted of two sides with the West Stand covered and also fitted out with seats. The two oval ends were still covered in grass but were to be turned into terraces in a second phase of building. The capacity of the new stadium was 20,000 and a 400-metre running track also provided the opportunity for athletics events.

The gates were opened at four o'clock on that wonderful Saturday. The spectators were entertained by an orchestra from Bayer AG. The reception for the honoured guests started at 16.30 and that was followed by a tour round the new stadium. The club chairman Dr Fritz Jacobi gave his inaugural address at 16.50. After a couple of displays from youth players of the two Leverkusen clubs Tus 04 and Bayer 04, the match between Bayer 04 Leverkusen and Fortuna Düsseldorf kicked off at 18.00.

The two teams were led onto the newly laid pitch by the captains Fredy Mutz and Erich Juskowiak. Bayer 04 were on top in the first 30 minutes but the ball was not doing what the players wanted and one or two good chances went begging. The scoreline was 0-0 at half-time. The spectators witnessed a similar display in the second half: Bayer 04 pressed, Fortuna sat back. But then the Düsseldorf striker Heinz Janssen broke through and rounded the Bayer 04 keeper Fredy Mutz and scored the first goal at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium. A brace from the future Germany coach Jupp Derwall saw the Werkself lose 3-0 in their first game at the new stadium.

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A few weeks later it is 9 November 1958 and the new pitch was so cut up after a friendly against MSV Duisburg that it had to be completely relayed. The Werkself played the rest of the season at the old Am Stadtpark Stadium.

Bayer 04 are only able to use the new pitch at the Ulrich Haberland Stadion again in the summer of 1959. The stadium on Bismarckstraße was our new home from the 1959/60 season, first as the Ulrich Haberland Stadion and then under the new name of the BayArena from 1998.

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