The main stand in the stadium is now called the Herrmann-Nuber stand
12.07.2022 – Offenbach is a soccer city, with tradition and great hopes for future success. "Bieberer Berg and the OFC are definitely an important part of our city's identity for me," says Lord Mayor and Head of the Sports Department Dr. Felix Schwenke, who has been a regular visitor to the OFC since his childhood days.
In addition to sporting successes, the old and new stadiums, stories and anecdotes and, above all, people are all part of the identity. Hardly any other person is as emblematic of what Offenbach and the Kickers are all about as Hermann Nuber. To pay tribute to his life's work and his sporting and human contribution to Offenbach's soccer history, Lord Mayor Dr. Felix Schwenke and O.F.C. President Joachim Wagner have mutually agreed to rename the main stand the "Hermann Nuber Stand" on Sunday, 17 July 2022, on the occasion of the friendly match against 1. FC Köln. The rematch of the 1970 cup final seemed like an appropriate occasion to all involved.
OFC Vice President Jörg Briel originally approached the Lord Mayor with this idea, who was immediately enthusiastic.
Lifetime achievement and personality are honored
Dr. Felix Schwenke: "Unfortunately, I was no longer able to see "Iron Hermann" as an active player. But he stands for Kickers Offenbach like no other. By renaming him, we are paying tribute to his life's work and his personality. At the same time, we are remembering important values that Hermann Nuber always embodied: Respect, honesty, diligence and loyalty". O.F.C. President Wagner added: "We think it is important to coordinate such honors closely between the city and the club, as has been done here. I think it is a wonderful "thank you" for his outstanding commitment, which has not only enriched the O.F.C. in sporting terms, but above all has helped shape it as a club. Kickers Offenbach is associated with passionate emotions, solidarity, values and also the feeling of making the impossible possible. Hermann Nuber played a key role in shaping this."
Lord Mayor Schwenke similarly emphasized: "Offenbach benefits from people who are committed and uncompromisingly live and pass on important values. This also has an impact beyond the stadium in the city's society. Down-to-earth and honest: that's Hermann Nuber to this day."
No player has remained as loyal to the Kickers as Nuber
Offenbach's Hermann Nuber embodies straightforwardness, friendship, reliability, loyalty and responsibility like no one else in the Offenbach "soccer universe". No player before or after him remained so loyal to the Kickers. Now 86 years old, he played for his home club from 1946 to 1971, earning him the nickname "Iron Hermann". In 1968, he and his Kickers were "finally" promoted to the Bundesliga and came second behind Franz Beckenbauer in the 1968 vote for Germany's Footballer of the Year. After relegation in 1969, he ended his career and was reactivated for two more games in 1971 - before hanging up his soccer boots for good.
The fans adore the honorary captain not only because of the 164 goals he scored for the Kickers in 408 league games, but above all for his strength of character and his ability to inspire and motivate people. Anyone who wanted honest but respectful feedback was always in the right place with him. These qualities also stood him in good stead as an amateur and youth coach. He accompanied soccer greats such as Jimmy Hartwig, Uwe Bein, Oliver Reck and Rudi Völler.
Nuber is still on fire for the Kickers
"He still regularly attends Kickers home games today - often with his friends and soccer heroes from back then: Siegfried "Siggi" Gast and Alfred "Freddy" Schultheis. Hermann Nuber is still passionate about his favorite club," says Andreas Herzog, Managing Director of Stadiongesellschaft Bieberer Berg.
"Hermann Nuber was described to my generation as the essential head of always going forward, rolling up his sleeves, the Kickers final quarter-hour and above all, despite all his popularity, simply remaining humble," said Dr. Schwenke. "I actually got to know him in the same way: our first personal encounter was at the Old family's garden party in 2017. He looked at me in an incredibly friendly way with his life experience and said "Aha, so you're going to be the new mayor here. Well, I'm Hermann" and held out his hand. Never before have I met such a successful person who is so down-to-earth and without any airs and graces. I have the utmost respect for him."
O.F.C. President Wagner and Dr. Schwenke agree on one thing: "He is a real role model for both of us."
Naming after strong personalities is a soccer tradition
Naming stands after strong personalities is a tradition in soccer. The Stadion am Bieberer Berg is also closely linked to the history of the OFC and its characters. The renaming immortalizes memories and captures the values embodied by the namesakes.