On 21 December in Bottrop, the last operating coal mine in the Ruhr region will close its doors for good. Borussia Dortmund would like to mark the occasion and express its gratitude for all the wonderful work the miners have done for the region. 

''Mining has made its mark on our region in the same way that football has,'' said BVB CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke. ''Every historic club in the Ruhr region was forged through coal and steel. Coal, steel, football and beer have always come together to define our shared sense of culture and togetherness.''

In the final game of 2018, players from Borussia Dortmund will play against their guests from Mönchengladbach and will have "Danke Kumpel!" (Thanks mate!) printed on their shirts. BVB's main sponsor Evonik have withdrawn their logo from the team's shirt to support this initiative. "The end of coal mining marks the end of a great historic era," said Watzke. "The Ruhr becoming one of the strongest industry regions in the world, the rebuilding of Germany after WW2 and the harmonious integration of millions of people from around the world... All of that would have been impossible without coal mining."

These commemorative shirts, worn by the BVB pros, will be auctioned off in January 2019 through our auction platform for the benefit of a good cause. (Christliches Jugenddorfwerk Deutschland e.V. - a Christian youth charity).

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''Danke Kumpel!'' forms part of the ''Glückauf Zukunft!'' (''hope for the future!'') initiative. Several events are being organised to mark the end of the German coal mining industry. The RAG foundation, the RAG company, Evonik Industries and IGBCE are all coming together to commemorate the achievements and legacy of the German coal mining industry in the Ruhr region. The ''Glückauf Zukunft!'' initiative will reach its conclusion with the final event on 21.12.2018, which will take place on the premises of the Franz Haniel pit.