At the original sites there are information boards and other optical attractions. These show fans and visitors in a very approachable fashion what happened there since the founding of the club in 1904.
NK12 board member Oliver 'Wuppi' Willutzki explains how this project came about: "About five years ago we got a tip that there was still an old pillar from the 'Stadion am Stadtpark' ground of 1932 in the city park. That was the crucial event for us to set up the football tour route. Then we did research into other historic venues in the city and and then began to set it up."
One stand-out sight is the reproduction of the old entrance to the Stadion am Stadtpark in its original position. Large signs on the lamp posts lead visitors to the next stop on the route. For example, a corner arc has been painted in the Neulandpark – exactly where the ‘Dhünn pitch’ was, which was the first home ground for the Leverkusen football players up to 1932.
Leverkusen's mayor Uwe Richrath was at the unveiling and opening of the football route. "We want to tell the impressive story of this club. Bayer 04 and the Werkself are part and parcel of the city of Leverkusen," said the 60-year-old. "This project is terrific!"
The Leverkusen football route is not only visible in situ. NK 12 have made this Black and Red experience accessible to Werkself fans throughout Germany and worldwide. Click HERE for the online version of the route with a host of videos.
For the initiators of the tour the highlight was and is bringing the special history of the Werkself to the people. Willutzki: "The club was founded by workers and reached the top flight for the first time in 1951. The players have played with the cross on their shirts for over 80 years – and not for commercial purposes but for reasons of identification. Bayer 04 are undoubtedly a club with tradition."
Bayer 04 have fond memories of their encounters with Heidenheim, including a resounding 6-0 win in the reverse fixture. Kasper Hjulmand’s side would very much like to produce a similarly clinical display as they now head to the Voith-Arena for Matchday 27 on Saturday (15:30 CET). But they come up against a team fighting for their Bundesliga lives at the bottom of the table, 10 points adrift of safety with time running out. Here’s all you need to know ahead of the game in our matchday news.
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The Bayer 04 Women welcome FC Carl Zeiss Jena to the Ulrich Haberland Stadium on Sunday night in a white retro look - and in a unique Bayer 04 ‘50 Years of Fan Clubs’ special edition jersey. In sporting terms, head coach Roberto Pätzold's team will face the Bundesliga's bottom team at 18:30 CET looking to keep their chances of third place in the table alive with six games left to play.
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Bayer 04 return to Bundesliga action this weekend. Following their elimination in the Round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League, the Werkself are away to FC Heidenheim 1846 on Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET) on Bundesliga matchday 27. Ahead of the clash in the eastern Swabian Alps, head coach Kasper Hjulmand spoke about the importance of the fixture and the chances of qualifying for the Champions League next term.
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A quick look at the table shows the situation at FC Heidenheim is serious. The Bundesliga bottom club are already ten points behind the play-off spot with their backs to the wall in sporting terms. With eight games left to play, avoiding relegation appears to be a mission impossible. Nevertheless, they are far from flying the white flag at the Schlossberg ahead of the clash with the Werkself this Saturday, 21 March (kick-off: 15:30 CET). The lowdown on our next opponents.
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Bayer 04 Leverkusen will have to manage without the two strikers in the immediate future. Caroline Kehrer suffered a torn ligament in her right knee and Amy Wrigge tore her cruciate ligament.
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