caseyjones 3,009 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 .....even for an old cynic like me! Thursday 20 December 2012 10.00 GMTFC Union Berlin: a remarkable club with their very own Christmas tradition Supporters of German second division side once gave blood to save the club, have rebuilt their stadium – and on Sunday they will sing Christmas carols for an entire 90 minutes.Erik JullanderFC Union Berlin are not your ordinary club. The small team that lived in the shadow of the Stasi-sponsored Dynamo Berlin for so many years are now thriving in the German second division with remarkable fans who once saved their club by giving en masse blood transfusions and, in 2008, worked for 140,000 hours to rebuild their stadium. And on Sunday they will carry out what must surely be the best Christmas tradition in the world of football when they meet up at the stadium to sing Christmas carols for 90 minutes. And there's not even a game on. When the tradition started in 2003, 89 people turned up. Last year 17,000 came.The level of commitment from the fans is extraordinary, and the club are far, far away from the multibillionaire-owned clubs such as Manchester City and Chelsea. And yet they could be playing in the Bundesliga next season. They entered the winter break seventh in the second Bundesliga. Unification has not been kind to the clubs from the former GDR. Several clubs that used to be so successful never found a way to make it in the new world of free market and capitalism. Since a few years back there is not even a club from the east in the Bundesliga. That is why so much hope is attached to Union. The club's economy is healthy and their league position is at an all-time high. But it wasn't always like that. The defender Rolf Weber played 206 league games for Union in the first and the second GDR league between 1970 and 1981. When I asked him to explain what is so special about the club he answered: "We lost more games than we won, but the fans never let us down. The atmosphere always was amazing." In fact, Union have a bigger track record of economical crises than winning trophies. And the fans are always there to help. In 2004 the club urgently needed about £1.5m to avoid bankruptcy. The supporters then organised a campaign named "Bleed for Union" where fans gave blood and forwarded the reimbursement to Union Berlin. The close relation between club and fans is well documented. The president, Dirk Zingler, is a supporter who has a big understanding of what the fans think and what they want. In an interview with football magazine 11Freunde he was asked what he thought of the fans' criticism of the police's conduct at an away game in Frankfurt. "No one has to tell me what went on there," he said. "I was one of the 1,500 fans there." In 2008, when Union had to modernise their stadium, Stadion an der alten Försterei, Zingler quickly established that the club would not be able to afford it without a great contribution from the fans. No problem. With the help from almost 2,400 volunteers the stadium was rebuilt in 300 days. Together they worked an extraordinary 140,000 hours without being paid and Union now have a modern stadium, which still has 80% standing. Also, the club are quite allergic to transfer fees. Until two years ago there was a strict policy of not paying any transfer fees. That had been ongoing for five years. There has been a relaxation of that policy as the club have become stronger but their record transfer is still the modest £400,000 they paid for the Brazilian striker Silvio when he arrived from the Swiss club Lausanne in the summer of 2011. FC Union Berlin have always been outsiders in German professional football. It's not a coincidence that the famous punk singer Nina Hagen sings the club hymn that is played in the stadium before every game. Before 1989 Dynamo Berlin, the fiercest rivals, belonged to the Stasi – ministry for state security – and were in many ways a symbol for the hated GDR regime. Union Berlin were the free football club, without any connections to army, police or state. Stadion an der alten Försterei (Stadium near the old forester's house) developed into a meeting point for regime critics. When Union had a free-kick, the spectators used to shout "Die Mauer muss weg" (the wall has to fall). It went so far, in fact, that people went to Union games without even being interested in football. In 1989, the wall fell, and the hated club of Dynamo Berlin did as well. BFC Dynamo, who won 10 league titles during their glory days, are nowadays a mediocre team in the fifth division. As mentioned, the 2 Bundesliga has entered its winter break but on Sunday the fans will gather to sing for 90 minutes one last time before Christmas. The stadium will be packed again. Not for a game but for the single purpose of drinking Glühwein (mulled wine) and singing Christmas carols. This year is the 10th anniversary of this peculiar but warming tradition. Torsten Eisenbeiser, who came up with the idea, says: "After a couple of bad games we, who always stand together during the games, just went home without wishing each other merry Christmas. I suggested to one friend that we should get together in the stadium the day before Christmas Eve and sing some Christmas songs." In the end 89 people showed up for this underground event. Officially the stadium was closed. Through word of mouth, however, the event has got bigger and bigger. In the third year it became an official event and last year more than 17,000 people made their way to the stadium. Not only from Berlin, but from several other parts of Germany as well as other countries. Over the years the Union Christmas singing has changed shape. Now it goes on for 90 minutes (plus some stoppage time) and every visitor is given a candle and a booklet with all the songs. Even some of the players and their families attend. The defender Christian Stuff is one of them and for him this tradition is proof that Union Berlin are a special club. "As a player you appreciate it here," he says. "Not only the atmosphere but also the understanding from the fans. They don't demand that we should win every time, just that we always are trying our best. The Christmas singing is extraordinary. Just to see all the candles is very cool." It has also transpired that fans from other clubs also take part. As early as the second year, a Hertha Berlin member card was found in a wallet that had been left behind. Eisenbeiser says: "We just wish each other merry Christmas – it doesn't matter which team you are supporting. No one leaves the stadium as a loser." FC Union Berlin factsFounded: 1966, originally as FC Olympia Oberschöneweide 1906 Members: 10,500. Stadium: Stadion an der alten Försterei, in Köpenick, south-east Berlin Capacity: 16,750. Honours: East German cup winners 1968 (they reached the German Cup final in 2001 but lost against Schalke 04) Cult player: The captain, Torsten Mattuschka. Joined the club in the fourth league in 2006 Nickname: Eisern Union (Iron Union) Union blog in English: unionberlinman.blogspot.se http://m.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2012/dec/20/union-berlin-christmas-tradition Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLE SUPER WILBERT 2,475 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 They're the cunts that kicked off along with the sheep at Ibrox last season. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Godfather 76,007 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Members: 10,500. Make that 10,501! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 They're the cunts that kicked off along with the sheep at Ibrox last season.I see what you mean. Even sporting the Aberdeen colours! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLE SUPER WILBERT 2,475 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I see what you mean. Even sporting the Aberdeen colours! Scum. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 Scum.Dynamo Berlin, you silly boy! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLE SUPER WILBERT 2,475 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Dynamo Berlin, you silly boy! I'm sure it was them. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLE SUPER WILBERT 2,475 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Aw ffs Casey stop confusing me. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 I'm sure it was them.If I wasn't so kind-hearted, I would have played with you for a bit. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLE SUPER WILBERT 2,475 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 If I wasn't so kind-hearted, I would have played with you for a bit.I'm not that way inclined. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 I'm not that way inclined.If, on reading my post, that was your first thought, you most probably are. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
OLE SUPER WILBERT 2,475 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 If, on reading my post, that was your first thought, you most probably are. My first thought was to say thank you for not taking the piss out of me, I'm not kind hearted though so decided to say that instead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 My first thought was to say thank you for not taking the piss out of me, I'm not kind hearted though so decided to say that instead. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmiston Drive 3,846 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 .....even for an old cynic like me!http://m.guardian.co...stmas-traditionWhat was that you said about someone the other day Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mongolikecandy 418 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I think German football fans are the best in the world,fanatical ,colourful and dare I say it humorous. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmiston Drive 3,846 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I think German football fans are the best in the world,fanatical ,colourful and dare I say it humorous.I think German football fans are the best in the world,fanatical ,colourful and dare I say it humorous.Yeah they had the whole of Europe in stitches twice. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 I think German football fans are the best in the world,fanatical ,colourful and dare I say it humorous.The British and German football fans are very much alike. It's a fantastic place to go for a game. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmiston Drive 3,846 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 The British and German football fans are very much alike. It's a fantastic place to go for a game.Not really . not all British fans acknowledge their club........ Merry Christmas btw Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
mongolikecandy 418 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 The British and German football fans are very much alike. It's a fantastic place to go for a game.When I get a job again I plan a visit to Germany(I have never been)to watch a game Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek1872 548 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Nice wee story to warm the old cockles Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
DietofWorms 2,081 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 I like this...especially the names. Dirk Zingler and Christian Stuff indeed. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Jela 21,795 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Gay. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
philiprfc 1,799 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Surely they mean Hertha, and not Dynamo Berlin? Dynamo Berlin seem to be a tiny club. Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
derek1872 548 Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 Surely they mean Hertha, and not Dynamo Berlin? Dynamo Berlin seem to be a tiny club.they didn't used to be. Did you read the whole article? Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
caseyjones 3,009 Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 Surely they mean Hertha, and not Dynamo Berlin? Dynamo Berlin seem to be a tiny club.Oh, Pip! Quote Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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