Today, on what would have been the 84th birthday of Aki Schmidt, Mayor of Dortmund, Ullrich Sierau, and BVB President, Dr. Reinhard Rauball, officially opened ''Aki-Schmidt-Platz'' at the club's Hohenbuschei training complex.

Alfred "Aki" Schmidt would have turned 84 this Thursday. The Mayor of Dortmund, Ulrich Sierau, BVB President Reinhard Rauball, BVB Managing Directors Hans-Joachim Watzke and Carsten Cramer as well as club legends Siggi Held, Wolfgang Paul and Theo Redder all turned out at the Hohenbuschei training complex to officially open ''Aki-Schmidt-Platz.'' 

"Today is a special day and this is a special place. Aki Schmidt was one of the greatest BVB players, a legend. We want to have a place here that does him justice," said Mayor Sierau at the inauguration ceremony for the opening of the new square named after the former BVB player. Dr. Reinhard Rauball added: "Aki is a legend. He was someone who had a deep bond with the club, someone that was always recognisable. I would like to thank everyone who made it possible to open Aki-Schmidt-Platz."

Aki Schmidt won the German Championship with BVB in 1956, 1957 and 1963. As club captain, he led the Black & Yellows to the DFB Cup title in 1965 and was part of the team that won the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1966. Schmidt remained faithful to Borussia long after his playing career was over: from 1997 onwards, he was active as a fan coach and stadium leader. He passed away in 2016 after a short, serious illness at the age of 81.