Not so very long ago, in connection with BVB’s game at Arsenal in the Champions League, a Black n Yellow delegation paid a visit to the very birthplace of the modern game, the first proper club, Sheffield FC. The friendships formed that day were further strengthened at the weekend when a party of nine came along to watch BVB’s last home game of the year.

 

 

 

Jürgen Klopp commented at the time of the trip to England, “It is so very important for us to constantly open our doors and hearts to the great history and tradition of our great game. We need to know where we came from.” In turn, Richard Tims, current chairman of the club formed in 1857, said during his visit in Dortmund, “It is a huge honour to be here to celebrate with you the birthday of this fantastic club with its fantastic fans,” comments which drew huge applause from the fans awaiting the kick-off of the game against Hertha BSC Berlin.

The representatives of the ‘first’ club made a pilgrimage to BVB’s roots visiting, amongst other locations, Borsigplatz, Dreifaltigkeitskirche and Spiegelsaal. Tims was impressed, “I have been to a lot of places and clubs around the world, but I have never visited a town that is so in love with this fantastic game of ours as is Dortmund.”

BVB officials Dr Reinhard Rauball, Thomas Treß and Carsten Cramer welcomed the visitors from England to Dortmund and the Signal Iduna Park. It will assuredly not be the last time these two clubs get together because tradition and love of football will always bind them.

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Richard Tims wishes BVB a Happy Birthday!