He was the textbook example of how a professional footballer should be and was known to all by his nickname "Sigi": Siegfried Held, who was born in Freudental, in the Sudetenland, on 7 August 1942, is celebrating his 75th birthday today.

image

Held won the European Cup Winners' Cup with Borussia Dortmund in 1966, before finishing the World Cup as a runner-up to England later that year. Together with fellow forward Lothar Emmerich, he formed a strike partnership that was nicknamed "the terrible twins" by the British press.

The striking superstar of the '60s and '70s, who is married to wife Christin, came through the ranks at ABC Marktheidenfeld (1953-1963), before joining Kickers Offenbach (1963-1965) and later Borussia Dortmund. The 1.80-metre-tall man enjoyed two spells with the Black & Yellows, the first one between 1965 and 1971 and the second between 1977 and 1979.

In an outstanding career, he made 422 appearances in the Bundesliga (scoring 72 goals), 49 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga (four goals), 47 appearances in the DFB Cup (eight goals) and 11 appearances in European competition (four goals). He also featured 41 times for the German national team, scoring on five occasions. The forward, who was known for his quiet demeanour, was part of the DFB squad that went to the 1970 World Cup in Mexico, where he played as Germany were beaten 4-3 after extra-time by Italy in one of the all-time great semi-finals. Held later had an active coaching career which took him to many countries, including Japan, Iceland, Egypt and Malta.

image

Since 2007, the "2006 World Cup Ambassador for Dortmund" has been a fan representative for the tradition-steeped Westphalian club, where he enjoys great popularity.

In his playing days, there was no-one quicker than Held. He was an unstoppable force down the left flank, often leaving famous footballers such as Franz Beckenbauer, Klaus-Dieter Sieloff and Willi Schulz – to name but a few of Germany's greatest defenders – trailing in his wake before getting a shot in on goal or picking out his strike partner "Emma" – a Black & Yellow legend – with a pass.

Held was respected by his team-mates whenever he spoke up. A smart guy with a charismatic personality, he enjoys the same status today in the BVB Council of Elders that he once held as a player.

"Sigi", we wish you many happy returns!
Fritz Lünscherman