1.10.2021Bayer 04

Miscellaneous: TV at the Werkself for the first time

On 28 October 1951, the unbeaten league leaders of the first Oberliga West, Rot-Weiss Essen came to Leverkusen. The visitors to the Stadtpark were accompanied by VIPs: DFB president Dr Peco Bauwens and West Germany coach Sepp Herberger were amongst the interested spectators. And because the also undefeated Bayer 04 team at aroused keen interest in the national media, cameras from German television water on site. There was huge anticipation ahead of this top clash.

crop_19511028_Richard_Seuser_Dr_Peco_Bauwens_Sepp_Herberger.jpg

With all the focus on the forthcoming match there was still the need for the players to be relaxed. A few hours before kick-off, the players Emil ‘Bubi’ Becks, Walter Nussbaum and Karl-Heinz Spikofski under the eyes of team manager, club landlord and groundsman Paul Harig had time for a round of cards.

When the match kicked off at 15.00 the Stadtpark was a sell-out with a crowd of 20,000. The Essen goalkeeper Budzinski was injured after 10 minutes and is replaced up to half-time by the centre-half Wever but he was unable to stop Dr Franz Wichelhaus making it 1-0 on 37 minutes. The one-goal lead for Bayer 04 at half-time thoroughly deserved but Budzinski returned between the sticks after the break and Essen, back up to full strength, continue to threaten the Leverkusen goal above all through the outstanding right-winger Helmut Rahn. Termath scored a deserved equaliser on 65 minutes.

The Bayer 04 line-up 70 years ago:
Mutz – Habets, Frömmel, Nußbaum, Papenhoff, Dr. Wichelhaus, Tiede, Flohr, Becks, Spikofski, Wiorek

HERE you can see the first moving pictures of a Bayer 04 team. I thank NK12 for their permission to link this video.

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