Dear fans and friends of Borussia Dortmund!

In all good families, people stick together and regularly treat one another. The giving and receiving of gifts also play an important role at BVB. And 2016 saw an abundance of commitment, courage and passion, powerful emotions, loyalty and real love.

With your support, we picked up more points in our first season under Thomas Tuchel in the Bundesliga than any previous runner-up has managed in over 50 years. Together, we gave ourselves the best present of them all – a return to the Champions League, where we all feel right at home. On that note, BVB officially became the second-largest sports club in Germany this year, now counting over 140,000 members. Also part of the family is the table-tennis department, founded in 1947 and now looking forward to its 60th anniversary. Our Handball Ladies finished an impressive first season following promotion to the Bundesliga in sixth place and also reached the Cup final – as did our footballers, who made a fourth DFB Cup final appearance in five years.

So we look back fondly on an intensive 2016 with more highlights than lowlights and more joy about our success than sadness about defeats. We would like to say thank you. For the strong bond and unity and for the support and loyalty you gave us once again last year. And that you felt an important part of the great BVB family every day, as you will in the future as well. Together we are looking forward optimistically to an equally joyous and exciting 2017.

Borussia Dortmund wishes you and your family a harmonious holiday season.