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Exactly 125 years ago to the day, 16 young football enthusiasts made the decision to turn their passion for the still developing sport into an official venture, and on the veranda of the Kuhhirte pub on Bremen’s Stadtwerder peninsula, “Fußball-Verein Werder Bremen von 1899” was born.
That historic spot, which still stands today, has also been paid homage to as part of the anniversary celebrations. Werder legends Hans Schulz, Thomas Schaaf, Marco Bode, Frank Baumann, Dieter Eilts, Ailton, Mirko Votava, Torsten Frings, Andreas Reinke and Nelson Valdez returned to the Kuhhirte and met up with current Bundesliga players Lina Hausicke, Michaela Brandenburg, Marco Friedl, Marvin Ducksch, Jens Stage, Rafael Borré and Eduardo dos Santos Haesler, symbolising the anniversary’s slogan: “125 years of Werder. United through history”.
The past, present and future of SV Werder was on display, as kit suppliers hummel and renowned photographer Will Cornelius combined to capture the special atmosphere at this historic site, helped by the extensive retro anniversary collection on show. Otto Rehhagel’s iconic tracksuit top and plenty more are available now online or at Werder fan shops.
“This 125-year anniversary is a very special day for our club,” stressed Werder president and chairman of the supervisory board, Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald. “We can look back at our long tradition and 125 years of both a successful and chequered club history with pride. At the same time though, we also look to the future. We know the huge challenges that a modern sports club in the Bundesliga faces, and are full of drive to face our responsibilities in society. SV Werder has always been about honouring great tradition and history, while also being open for development and change in order to remain a modern and attractive sports club.”
This connection between the past and the present has been brought to life even more by the revival of the “Grüne Bude”. One of the first things undertaken by the club’s founding fathers was the construction of a 70 square-metre wooden cabin, which not only acted as a storage and changing room, but was also the clubhouse and therefore the heartbeat of early club life. In November, Bremen was finally bestowed with a “Grüne Bude” once more in the form of a houseboat on the Weser, courtesy of Werder’s main sponsor MATTHÄI and their subsidiary Floating Homes. A combination of café, bar, event location, museum and mini fan shop, the “Grüne Bude” has been the life and soul of the club’s anniversary celebrations.
“We’re indebted to everyone who has helped shape this club over the past 125 years and continues to do so,” said Dr. Hubertus Hess-Grunewald. “Members, athletes, fans, management and board members, partners, sponsors, staff – they have all made SV Werder the club it is today, one that enjoys a great reputation beyond the borders of Bremen and Germany and is loved by so many.”
The official anniversary on 4th February marks the start of a week’s worth of festivities, culminating in SVW’s big birthday bash at the Alte Werft event location in Bremen’s Überseestadt on Saturday, 10th February. The Bundesliga match against 1. FC Heidenheim on that day will of course be dedicated to the club’s 125-year anniversary celebrations too.
That historic spot, which still stands today, has also been paid homage to as part of the anniversary celebrations. Werder legends Hans Schulz, Thomas Schaaf, Marco Bode, Frank Baumann, Dieter Eilts, Ailton, Mirko Votava, Torsten Frings, Andreas Reinke and Nelson Valdez returned to the Kuhhirte and met up with current Bundesliga players Lina Hausicke, Michaela Brandenburg, Marco Friedl, Marvin Ducksch, Jens Stage, Rafael Borré and Eduardo dos Santos Haesler, symbolising the anniversary’s slogan: “125 years of Werder. United through history”.
