Werner Weist has passed away in Dortmund after a long battle with severe illness. The former BVB striker had turned 70 just a few weeks ago. 

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Between 1968 and 1977, Werner Weist contested a total of 217 Bundesliga matches for both Borussia Dortmund and Werner Bremen, scoring 87 goals in the process. 

Weist first arrived at BVB after playing for Sportverein 08 Dortmund at local amateur level. It took him only one minute to register his first goal in the Bundesliga. The day was 7 September 1968, the opponents Hamburger SV,  with the frontman's early opener helping the Black & Yellows on their way to a 3-1 win. He would go on to score as many as 20 goals in the 1969/70 season. However, financial restrictions soon meant that Weist would have to be sold on to another club, and so it was that in 1971 he made the move to SV Werder Bremen. 

''No point complaining,'' was the motto which best defined his approach to life - both during and after his playing career. With the help of former Dortmund and Bremen teammate Rudi Assauer, Weist would go on to spend 20 years working for FC Schalke 04, latterly occupying the post of sales director for fan merchandise. ''I don't feel the need to pick one side or the other; I just go for both,'' was how he once cheerfully explained his loyalties. Weist continued to turn out for the BVB legends team until well into the nineties. 

Werner Weist will be fondly remembered by everyone at Borussia Dortmund. (br)