There will be a distinctly German flavour to the Anfield
atmosphere next week when supporters of Borussia Moenchengladbach
make their annual pilgrimage to Merseyside.
The Reds will welcome up to 90 supporters of the Bundesliga Two
side, who will arrive in Liverpool on Monday, January 21, to
celebrate the 31-year friendship between the two teams.
The visit will see them pay their respects to the victims of the
Hillsborough disaster at the Hillsborough memorial while some of
the party will also attend Liverpool's clash with Martin O'Neill's
Villains in the evening.
Every year since 1992, our German couterparts have made the journey
to England during the Bundesliga winter break, after donating 21000
Deutsch Marks (approximately £8000) to the Hillsborough family's
fund in 1991 - a tremendous gesture that should NEVER be
forgotten.
In response, 30 Liverpool supporters made the trip to
Moenchengladbach in May last year, a visit which was organised by
Liverpool FC supporter Graham Agg to celebrate the 30th anniversary
since the 1977 European cup final between the two club's in the
eternal city of Rome.
The Liverpool supporters handed out friendship badges and a plaque
with the Liverpool crest and the words 'EINE GANZ BESONDERE
FREUNDSCHAFT' emblazoned across it. This translates to 'a very
special friendship' in English.
The Friendship trip was also fully embraced by Liverpool FC who
presented Graham Agg with a plaque signed personally by Reds
manager Rafael Benitez with the words 'Best wishes to Borussia
Moenchengladbach supporters club.'
The Liverpool fans were truly astounded to see Borussia supporters
in their last home game of the Bundesliga 2006/2007 season wearing
all types of old and new Liverpool FC shirts, a tradition that goes
back many years in Gladbach.
Unfortunately, Borussia Moenchengladbach were relegated last
season, but they currently lie top of the Second Bundesliga going
into the German winter break, and the Liverpool supporters
travelling over for Borussia's last home match in May 2008 for
their next Friendship visit, are hoping it will coincide with a
promotion party.
Anyone wishing to join the Liverpool supporters on their next visit
should contact organiser Graham Agg on mobile: 07985648229.
On this year's visit to Merseyside, the Moenchengladbach fans have
been invited to a Fan Party in Liverpool City Centre to celebrate
their special friendship. It is a friendship that has lasted the
test of time, 31 years almost since the two clubs met in the 1977
European cup final, and the friendship shows no signs of
abating.
It is something of which both clubs, and supporters, can be truly
proud.
