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.

crop_19580802_Schluesseluebergabe_Viktor_Calles_Dr_Fritz_Jacobi.jpg

19580802_Egon_Rosinki_Fredi_Mutz_vs_Steffen_Woeske_.jpg

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.

Related News

Bayer 04 - 01.07.2025

Birthday boy of the month: Claus-Dieter ‘Pele’ Wollitz turns 60

Claus-Dieter, known as ‘Pele’, Wollitz was born in Brakel on 19 July 1965 in Brakel. He earned the nickname of the Brazilian global super star at the age of six because he was able to the juggle the ball for a long time as a child. What was originally meant as a stunt would follow him all his life. Every football fan associates the name Wollwitz with his nickname: Pele.

Bayer 04 - 01.07.2025

Legends: Zé Roberto, the man with the magic touch

José Roberto da Silva Junior, Zé Roberto for short, was born in the Brazilian city of São Paulo on 6 July 1974. He started playing football at the Pequeninos de Joquey soccer school at the age of seven. Via the club Palestra Sao Bernardo, the left footer moved on to the professional club Portuguesa de Desportos where he made his debut in 1994.

Bayer 04 - 01.07.2025

Match of the month: 25 years ago – German U19 champions 2000

25 years ago, the Bayer 04 U19 team under their two coaches Thomas Hörster and Dirk Dreher were Regional League West champions and thereby participants in the finals of the German championship.

Bayer 04 - 01.07.2025

History: 50 years ago – Start of training 1975

After promotion to Bundesliga 2, the football boss Hermann Bacall had his hands full putting together a powerful team. For the first training session at the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on 14 July 1975 there were nine new signings including five players who became regular starters in the team that won promotion to the Bundesliga in 1979.

Bayer 04 - 01.07.2025

From the archives: 100 years ago – Wiesdorfer Sportwoche

After the success of the previous year, the gymnastics and sports club Leverkusen hold the ‘Wiesdorfer Sportwoche’ week of sports for a second time (the city of Leverkusen is only founded in 1930). The week of sport started on Sunday, 12 July 1925. In the years before World War I there were municipal gymnastics and games festivals. On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the club in 1924 the board and many helping hands started the week of sports. An internal municipal games festival developed into a national event which made a name for itself after a year particularly due to the relay element.