It is not very often you meet a legend over a bratwurst, but on our most recent trip to watch Borussia Dortmund face 1. FC Nürnberg, our love of the club grew even stronger as my travelling companions Neil, Justin, Robert and I were acquainted with the great Norbert Dickel.

In English football, the club public address announcer is not the most glamorous job; the norm is to moan at people who have parked in the wrong spot and play music (if that is what you call it) at a very high decibel level and at the most inappropriate times. Indeed, the ever so slightly annoying ‘bing bong'  that precedes an announcement is normally greeted with a groan of anticipation that an unimportant item is about to burst your eardrums. Dortmund legend Dickel however has stolen the show in that very same role, establishing a connection between the fans and the club as he provides entertainment that will crank up still further what is already a powerful and absorbing atmosphere.

A club legend

On our first trip, we were mesmerised by the man on the pitch who held the famous yellow wall of supporters in the palm of his hands, urging them to sway one way then the other as they repaid the compliment by chanting his name as loud as that of any of the 11 wearing the shirt. A few enquiries with our neighbours soon revealed that this was the man who had scored two goals in the 1989 DFB Cup final to give the club their first trophy in 23 years and had more than justified his legendary status.

We were indebted to Jörg Kleine, the organiser of the UK Borussia Dortmund Supporters club, who had made prior arrangements for our day. We were already thrilled that BVB were keen to speak to us regarding being interviewed about why we support the club and when we found out this would be with Norbert, we knew the trip was going to be one that we would not forget. The journey down was filled with the usual banter and excitement and despite the weather being less than favourable, we arrived in plenty of time to enjoy some customary pre-match beverages. Beers were drunk and optimism was high as we met with Jörg and Kenny, who had travelled from Scotland (via air rather than sea) to see Klopp's team in action.

Ready for the off again

No sooner had the first bratwurst been dismantled than Jörg beckoned us over to meet Norbert and we immediately recognised the man whose passionate dialogue sends 75,000 people into raptures. A quick chat was had over another bratwurst and the legend was keen to thank us for coming and set out how we would meet him at half time and be interviewed in front of the crowd on the big screen! A few nervous glances were exchanged between us, but another glass of the local tipple would soon put an end to those as we approached kick-off.

Upon entering the magical Südtribune, we once again took our place among the enchanted audience as we watched our new friend Norbert in action in front of the passionate yellow wall. The previous week's win at Hoffenheim ensured that spirits were noticeably high and that we were a part of it sent a shiver down the spine as everyone sensed this was going to be a good day. As ever, the noise level grew as kick-off approached and we and 70,000 others all responded to Norbert's requests wholeheartedly as the players entered the coliseum.

The interview

Our interview instructions were to meet him five minutes before half time, but in typical fashion that crept up on us rather quickly as Dortmund produced their best attacking performance of the season and raced into a three-goal lead as the impressive Nuri Sahin and Sven Bender dictated the play, allowing Kevin Großkreutz, Lucas Barrios and Mo Zidan to score the goals that gave Norbert the opportunity to flex his vocal cords even more, with his sentences were completed for him in the usual vociferous manner.

Then came our moment, as we all sat down on Norbert's famous couch and with the help of Jörg, who did a masterful job with the translation, were interviewed about the club, as pictures of past journeys were shown on the big screen. We were keen to impart to our fellow supporters just how much this meant to us as we all expressed our love of the club as well as the brilliant 45 minutes we had just witnessed. It ended with a warming round of applause from the crowd and we returned our respect to the Südtribune as we felt even more that we were one of them in our appreciation and love of BVB.

Another great trip

If anything, the second half was something of an anti-climax as chances came and went at regular intervals with only one more goal, scored by Mats Hummels. By this stage though, the 70,000 dressed in yellow hardly had a care in the world as the party was in full swing, with the whole of the yellow wall putting on a show of white handkerchiefs waved at the opposing Club supporters in mock surrender. Not to be outdone, the Nürnberg fans responded by bringing their own banner out, urging the players to improve performances as soon as possible, or words to that effect!

Yet again, we had had a magnificent and wonderful day as the charge up the table before the winter break carries on at pace. As we crossed the Channel, we all raised a glass to our friends back in Dortmund and our new acquaintance Norbert – it was a pleasure to meet you and we will back soon!


Report by Matthew Gerrard