Summat to take you away from the drudgery. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ckr5yy29k82o Currently in a relegation battle in Bundesliga 2. Could drop into the 3rd tier. Home attendances of 60k, 160k members, hit massively by overspending and ditching Gazprom, a mad billionaire ex-owner and fan pressure to move away from 50 +1 Very interesting read.
The article is a great and interesting read, sums up really well the current situation. A group of us are members at Schalke, go over four or five times a season, and it's amazing how the supports have stuck by them. The next two games are against bottom and 2nd bottom in Bundesliga 2. so hopefully will get enough to secure their place in the league next season. (We'll be there for the last home game so fingers crossed)
I've always fancied going to watch a match at Dortmund. What's the general atmosphere towards English fans over in Germany? Are they friendly? How difficult would it be for someone who's German doesn't really get any further than Yes, No and counting to ten?
Always found them fine. We go to watch Augsburg, going over next Friday, and the locals appreciate you travelling over. Went to an away game at monchengladbach last season and ended up in their fanzone after the game ended up in bars with them sharing songs. The beer helps.
Dortmund We have had no issues at all and have done home and away games at Schalke. We had a flag made and soon as we get it out we are swarmed and people want to know 'why Schalke'. Other season we had a picture outside Nuremberg stadium and a few Macedonians came over shouting 'Hristov'!!!!
I've been to quite a few Bundesliga games down the years. Had a great time on every visit. Locals were very welcoming and friendly.
I used to love my visits to the old Bökelbergstadion when Borussia Mönchengladbach played there. I only had to flash my RAF ID card at the turnstile to get in at a ridiculously low price (something like DM6) - this was in the early 1990s while I was stationed at Rheindahlen for three years. The atmosphere was always electric and it was fantastic seeing top German players, plus a few of other nationalities, playing live. I only saw the Reds a couple of times a season during that time and it cost me a lot more to see them on those rare occasions than I spent watching Gladbach over almost three full seasons. The only thing I don't like about the Bundesliga now is the huge flags being waved behind the goals at most grounds, during play. How does anyone see the action? Maybe they don't care - all part of the fun for them presumably? I'd rather watch the match than have half of it obscured by flag wavers.
Just over last weekend. We went to watch Augsburg v Stuttgart Friday night, Ingoldstadt v Lubeck Saturday afternoon and Sunday afternoon Bayern Munich v Werder Bremen. Fantastic weekend and language is no barrier. We go every season for an Augsburg game. Tickets can be difficult for bigger games but we used stubhub when prices got lower nearer to game. Little tip last home games some clubs give free beer away at the end of the game, only Bayern didn’t this time and that gives you a great opportunity to mingle with fans. At ingoldstadt the man of the match came over and sat having a beer with us. Best tips are Düsseldorf and Munich quite a few clubs close by for options and we do Friday to Monday to increase options.
Went to watch an Augsburg game 11 years ago for my stag do (went to Munich for it), was a great town, stadium, fan experience etc. Always look out for their results!
It’s all a long time ago but I’ve got memories to keep forever. Most service people will tell you their overseas tours were the best of their time served and HQ RAFG, plus a jaunt in the Persian Gulf plus Gan in the Maldives, were my best times. Everything has to end though and I didn’t mind having to go back home each time to “normal” life.
