Back
9.04.2018Fans

Bayer 04 fans in mourning for Heinz Ern

Heinz_Ern.jpg

"The news has hit us all very hard although we knew Heinz has been unwell for a long time and because of that hadn't been seen very often at matches over the past few months," said Andreas Paffrath, one of the Bayer 04 fan liaison officers. Heinz Ern was not only a highly valued contact for 'Paffi'. Ern was truly a Bayer 04 football fanatic and black and red through and through. He followed the Werkself all over Europe and supported his team in Lisbon and Trondheim, in Moscow and Kharkiv and also went to summer and winter training camps. Heinz Ern did not restrict his commitment to the Bayer 04 first team but he also often attended games played by the (now defunct) U23s both at the Haberland Stadium and away at Verl, Lotte, Wegberg or elsewhere at smaller stadiums.

In recent years, he also developed an interest in the Bayer 04 women's squad, supporting the team on their way to the Bundesliga and he looked after their Facebook page with equal commitment. And he also supported the girls' youth teams in their games across the state. 'Papa Heinz' – the nickname he quickly acquired from the young male and female players at the Werkself and that is how he acted, always full of empathy and with an open ear for the concerns of the youth players.

"We have lost part of the Bayer 04 fan life with Heinz passing on," said 'Paffi' who always valued the pensioner as a trusted contact and critical observer with complete commitment to the club. Heinz Ern was his own man and never hid his opinions. He shared his massive passion for Bayer 04 with his son Stefan and they were both in the 1904online fan club. He will be hugely missed there too.

Related News

SV Werder Bremen vs. Bayer 04
Bundesliga - 31.08.2025

Werkself review #SVWB04: We didn’t function as a team any more

For a long time, it looked like Bayer 04 would claim their first Bundesliga victory of the season, but the Werkself were frustrated after the final whistle. The 3-3 draw away at Werder Bremen left the players with long faces and disappointed reactions. The Werkself review

Show more
20250830_JS_SVWB04_2414.jpg
Bundesliga - 30.08.2025

Werkself miss out on first win after 3-3 draw at Werder Bremen

Bayer 04 are still without a win in the Bundesliga after two games following a 3-3 draw away at Werder Bremen. Leverkusen had gone 2-0 up through Patrik Schick and Malik Tillman, before Romano Schmid’s penalty prior to half-time. Schick’s own spot-kick restored the two-goal advantage in the second half as Werder were reduced to 10 men, but Isaac Schmidt got the hosts back into it again before Karim Coulibaly’s added-time equaliser.

Show more
Draw UCL 25 26
Champions League - 30.08.2025

Dates confirmed for Werkself’s games in 2025/26 UEFA Champions League’s league phase

UEFA have confirmed the fixture list for the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

Show more
Weserstadion
Bundesliga - 30.08.2025

Matchday news #SVWB04: Away record on the line in Bremen

Bayer 04 make their second attempt at picking up their first three points of this Bundesliga season as they visit Werder Bremen on Saturday. The hosts may be struggling with injuries and reeling from back-to-back defeats to kick off the campaign, but they’ll want to put that right in their first home outing. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the match, which kicks off at 3.30pm CEST.

Show more