Standing ovations for president Dr. Reinhard Rauball and coach Thomas Tuchel, impressive results from the departments, a profit running into the millions yet again and great solidarity shaped the General Meeting of BV. Borussia 09 e.V. Dortmund this Sunday.

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Armed with four core messages, Rauball led the three-and-a-half hour meeting in Westfalenhalle 3b, which was attended by the 968 voting members of the 130,000-strong total membership. "Borussia Dortmund is in a very healthy position, both the club and the KGaA (limited joint-stock partnership)," declared the BVB president. He also thanked all the volunteer helpers in the club and in the sport in general ("If voluntary work were to disappear, we'd have a problem in Germany"); he underlined the club's ethos ("We wholeheartedly join the fight against right-wing extremism"); and in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Paris, he declared: "We stand up for the rule of law and freedom, we will confront terror and refuse to accept violence. We will not abandon our peaceful way of life."

When the first-team entered the hall to great applause shortly after 12 (Rauball: "A sign that the professional squad and the e.V. (registered association) belong together"), Bernd Möllmann, president of the table tennis department, spontaneously broke off his speech to address Rauball: "What you have done for German football in the last few days is wonderful. We are proud to have you as the president of Borussia Dortmund." Hans-Joachim Watzke also spoke openly to his friend Reinhard Rauball, who is currently presiding over the German Football Association on an interim basis alongside Dr. Rainer Koch. "I sincerely hope that you will continue to play an outstanding role in German football."

Greetings to Liverpool, ovation for Tuchel

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KGaA boss Watzke looked back on "a difficult year for Borussia Dortmund" following four seasons of consistently finishing first or second: "We saved ourselves by qualifying for the Europa League." Hans-Joachim Watzke compared the change of coaches to open-heart surgery and acknowledged the merits of "the great ambassador Jürgen Klopp. We would like to send our warmest greetings to Liverpool: thank you so much for seven incredible years."

Thomas Tuchel's decision to take over at BVB was described by Watzke as "intelligent, but also courageous to follow in Jürgen Klopp's footsteps for the second time. We are proud and happy to have you and your coaching staff here." He said to the players: "A huge compliment to you. Making a start like that cannot be taken for granted. There is so much potential, talent and ability in this team; things can get even better."

"The club's sporting prospects are great," summarised the CEO, before adding: "The economic data is outstanding. Debts: zero! Free liquidity stands at 53.7 million, while equity stands at 286 million. There is no need to say anything more."

53.7 million in the fixed deposit account 

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With overall turnover of EUR 276 million, the consolidated net profit for the 2014/15 financial year amounts to EUR 5.5 million. According to Watzke, Borussia Dortmund will reach the EUR 300 million turnover threshold (without transfers) for the first time before 2018.

Between 1 July 2014 and 20 June 2015, the registered association Borussia 09 e.V. Dortmund generated a turnover of EUR 7.8 million (previous year: EUR 6.9 million). Higher personnel expenses in the handball and youth football departments as well as for member support reduced the profit slightly, which at EUR 1.6 million was below the figure of the previous year (EUR 2.2 million). Fixed assets amount to EUR 11.3 million. Treasurer Dr. Reinhold Lunow said: "Since the 2012/13 financial year, we have not had any liabilities!"

Ball sports hall: fiscal issues

Some slightly less positive news came in the form of Dr. Rauball's words to the handball and table tennis departments: for fiscal reasons the new construction of a ball sports hall will not take place for some time. The departments wouldn't be able to fund the operating costs with their own resources. However, loss-making economic activities are not likely to be offset by member contributions from non-profit areas, explained Rauball, who announced: "We are working on a fiscally sustainable solution."

The presidium, which was unanimously approved, appointed Dr. Klaus Engel, Dr. Thomas Steg, Dr. Gerhard Papke and Reinhold Schulte into the eight-person Economic Council. The members voted Dr. Winfried Materna (3 votes against, 19 abstentions), Dr. Michele Puller (2/35), Ullrich Sierau (105/81) and Martin Eul (7/64) into this body.

Stefan Klos was unanimously appointed as a cash auditor, as was Dr. Ursula Reitemeyer (chief female officer in the table tennis department since 1978), who succeeds Josef Schneck after two terms in the position.

Boris Rupert