1.02.2024Bayer 04

'Rudi recounts…': Vollborn on February highlights at Bayer 04

Rüdiger Vollborn has been at the club for 40 years, he holds the record number of Bundesliga appearances for the club (401) and is the only Bayer 04 player to have won both the UEFA Cup (1988) and the DFB-Pokal (1993). And the Berliner stayed with the Werkself after ending his impressive playing career as he worked as a goalkeeping coach for the following nine years. Vollborn now works under the Bayer Cross as a fan liaison officer and club archivist. From February 2021, the personalised Black and Red lexicon takes Werkself fans under the heading of 'Rudi recounts...' on a brief trip through the history of Bayer 04 every month...

Vollborn looks back at goals, matches, personalities and stories away from the pitch from the Bayer 04 club history. For the month of February, the Leverkusen legend takes fans back 45 years to the promotion season of 1978/79 and provides in-depth insights as a former player from back then.

Also for the month of February: TV highlights from a game in 2004, interesting photos of a Werkself carnival parade in 1974 and photos of a win at Schalke 70 years ago. Click here for all the articles.

Related News

Bayer 04 - 18.09.2026

International fixtures: Nations League, AFCON qualifiers and friendlies

Following the Bundesliga clash against RB Leipzig (Sunday, 20 September, 15:30 CEST), some of the Werkself first team players will be heading off for the first international break of the season. Here is an overview of the Bayer 04 players called up for their national teams and all the details of their upcoming matches.

Freiwillige Feuerwehrleute beim Spiel gegen NK Celje

Bayer 04 - 17.09.2026

222 members from volunteer fire brigades watch the home win against Celje at the BayArena

A special visit to the BayArena: 222 members from volunteer fire brigades in Leverkusen, the Rheinisch-Bergisch district and the Oberbergisch district watched the Werkself’s 2–0 home win over Slovenian champions NK Celje live in the stadium. Bayer 04 had invited them to the 2026/27 Europa League opener as a thank-you for their tremendous dedication. They watched the match together in Block F4.

U19 - 16.09.2026

3–2 against Viktoria Köln – U19s extend lead at the top of the table in crunch clash

The Bayer 04 U19s have extended their winning run with a fifth consecutive victory on Matchday 5 of the DFB Youth League’s preliminary round. Coach Patrick Greveraars’ side secured a 3–2 (2–1) win in their match against second-placed FC Viktoria Köln, with Burak Kir and Nebe Domnic scoring for the hosts in the first half before captain Ben Hawighorst found the net after the break.

Bayer 04 - 16.09.2026

Muscle injury sidelines Bayer 04 defender Guéla Doué

Bayer 04 will have to manage without defender Guéla Doué for the time being. The Ivory Coast international sustained a muscle injury to his right calf during the final Werkself training session yesterday ahead of the Europa League clash with Slovenian champions NK Celje.

Europa League - 16.09.2026

Matchday news: A new chapter in European competition begins

For the first time since reaching the final against AS Roma (2–2, first leg 2–0) in May 2024, Bayer 04 are playing another home match in the UEFA Europa League – and they will be wearing their new European kit. On Wednesday 16 September (kick-off: 21:00 CEST), the BayArena will welcome Slovenian champions NK Celje, who appointed a new coach this week following a mixed start to the season. Under the slogan “40 Years Across Europe. Still Creating History.”, the Black and Reds now aim to add the next chapter to their European history, which has seen so much success in recent years. Bayer 04 fans can follow the match on free-to-air TV on RTL, as well as on Sky and Werkself Radio. The matchday news.