Some prominent Borussia Mönchengladbach players: Günther Netzer, Bertie Vogts, Jupp Heynckes, Allan Simonsen, Henning Jensen,Wolfgang Kleff, Herbert Wimmer, Rainer Bonhoff, Lothar Mathäus, Uli Stieleke

There is something really special about Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Mönchengladbach is a tiny town situated in the west of Germany not far from the Dutch border. The town is only famous because of the football club Borussia who, in spite of being a small town club, have managed not only to survive in the Bundeslia but also to be somewhat of a legendary club due to the quality of football they played in the early seventies Hennes Weisweiler (above) was the trainer in those days and it was he who discovered the likes of Günther Netzer (below) and Bertie Vogts. Around them he built his young team known as Die Fohlen (the foals) who took their first Bundesliga title in 1970. This was an amazing feat for a small club. Before this they had won the German cup but the Championship was the truly remarkable achievement. Weissweiler and his team became known for their special brand of flowing attacking football and with the flamboyant Günther Netzer in the role of the playmaker, they had a real world star in their team. They took their second Bundesliga championship in 1971 and one has to remember that this was the age of the great Bayern Munich side with Beckenbauer, Müller and Maier to really appreciate the meaning of these championships. It was very much a David versus Goliath contest in those years and games between the two clubs were the highlight of the Bundesliga season for years.

In 1973 Borussia reached the Uefa Cup final but lost to Liverpool and Kevin Keegan. As a consolation though they won the German Cup in dramatic fashion when they beat their rivals FC Cologne 2-1 after extra time in Düsseldorf. Günther Netzer, who had fallen out with coach Weisweiler came on as a substitute in extra time to score a spectacular winner with his first touch of the ball. This was Netzer's last game for his club. The great playmaker left to join Real Madrid. In 1975 Borussia claimed their third German Bundesliga title and also won the Uefa Cup when they beat Dutch side Twente Enschede in the final.

More glory was to come with two more Bundesliga titles in 1976 and 1977

In 1977 Mönchengladbach reached the European Cup Final in Rome. Here again they met Liverpool and Kevin Keegan. On the night however, Liverpool were again unstoppable and the English Champions took their first European Cup, winning by 3-1. One of the highlights of the dramatic encounters against Liverpool was the battle between Liverpool star Kevin Keegan and Germany`s right back Bertie Vogts, who late was to become Germany`s coach for a number of years.

Borussia, though, did get another European title in 1978 when they won the Uefa Cup for the second time in their history, beating Red Star Belgrade 2-1 on aggregate. In 1980 they once more reached the Uefa Cup final and in an all German final lost to Eintracht Frankfurt on the away goal rule.

Two more German Cup final appearances followed: In 1984 Borussia lost 7-6 on penalties to Bayern Munich. Dramatically, Lothar Mathäus, who had already signed for Bayern, missed Borussia`s last penalty kick against his new club.

In 1992 Borussia then lost the German Cup Final against Hanover 96 but 1995 saw them victorious in the final against Wolfsburg. A glorious chapter in German football came to an end when in 1999 the club and the legend were relegated to the second division.

However two years later, Borussia were back but struggled almost every season to keep their place in Germany`s top flight.

Borussia were founded 1n 1900 and played their home matches at the Böckelberg Stadium since 1919. For big games in European competitions the club used to have to play in Düsseldorf.

However, in the summer of 2004 a new chapter started in the club`s history when they left their legendary home-ground and moved into the new Borussia Park stadium, specially designed for the World Cup 2006. Borussia Mönchengladbach have thus parted with their small club image and entered the big world of Bundesliga clubs. The stadium is something the club can be really proud of and the revenues from the higher attendances will allow them more activity on the transfer market. An example of Borussia's determination to mix it with the big clubs again came in the winter break of 2004/2005 when they invested heavily in numerous new players.

It looks as if Borussia are back to stay and ready to challenge the Bundesliga`s top sides once more.

CURRENT SQUAD

Kampa, Darius (1) Daems, Filip (3) Böhme, Jörg (11) Elber, Giovane (10) Keller, Kasey (26) Eberl, Max (2) Broich, Thomas (29) Heinz, Marek (28) Melka, Michael (31) Fukal, Milan (14) Demo, Igor (6) Jansen, Marcell (32) Ramovic, Sead (30) Hausweiler, Markus (21) Kirch, Oliver (22) Neuville, Oliver (27) Korzynietz, Bernd (19) Kluge, Peer (24) Sonck, Wesley (9) Moore, Craig (18) Plate, Sebastian (35) Sverkos, Vaclav (25) Pletsch, Marcelo (15) Thijs, Bernd (16) van Hout, Joris (13) Strasser, Jeff (7) Ulich, Ivo (8) Ziege, Christian (23) van Kerckhoven, Nico (5)

Coach: Dick Advocaat

Alex Sisto