Football Exchange: A flea market for nostalgics

Did you happen to have the program of the DFB Cup final in 1981? "

Questions like these can be heard on the largest football exchange in Europe, according to their own statements, in Erftstadt near Cologne. Irony-free and without punch line. Here collectors meet collectors, together they indulge their passion, once a year. Last in the beginning of November.

The event has the strange intimacy of an event that is exactly what you would expect: a lousy seventies-style school building, dozens of wooden tables that scurry around dozens of people, mostly older men.

They inspect scarves and pennants, badges and pictures, they talk shop about the great days of Hans-Peter Briegel, they stand in line for autographs of star guests Horst Köppel and Jürgen Grabowski. 1,000 square meters of retail space, more than 100 exhibitors from all over Germany, an oversized flea market for nostalgics.

Seven collectors talked to SPIEGEL about their favorite pieces, their scene - and their own problems.

Fritz Maruhn, 54, Recklinghausen

Philipp Awounou

Fritz Maruhn has the former Schalke professional Mike Büskens times worried two scrapbooks

"I specialize in signed scrapbooks, and I have a total of about one million pictures in 980 albums.

For the autographs, I stood in front of the guest bus at almost every Schalke home match in the last 25 years and have taken care of the players. Over time, of course, one or the other player will know you. For example, I've got two albums for Mike Büskens.

Another time Willi Koslowski called me at home. He wanted to sell me his own collection. I told him, 'You, I already have so much, I do not need them.' "

Hans-Werner Barkmann, 63, Bargteheide

Philipp Awounou

Hans-Werner Barkmann finds it difficult to part with his belongings

"I've been collecting sports equipment, especially from the German national team, since 1971. I'm particularly proud of my program and collection books, for example the 1954 World Cup or the original" Kicker "picture work, for which I once paid 400 marks.

In the past, you were freaked out when you saw something like that! Today, most issues are hardly valuable. For some pieces, I have spent 60 marks and today must be happy to get rid of them for five euros.

It hurts my soul to give my things away. But I have no successor who is interested in the collection. My wife said when I'm underground, the container comes. "

Kathi Hazenoot, 66, Engelskirchen

Philipp Awounou

Kathi Hazenoot has been selling football memorabilia since the death of her husband

"My husband was a huge Schalke enthusiast and enthusiastic collector, and when he was young he found the Kremers twins Helmut and Erwin, later Marc Wilmots, Olaf Thon and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, all collecting autographed photos.

He passed away two years ago. Now I'm sitting at home with all his pieces, there's nothing he did not have. Schalke plates, Schalke cups, thousands of pictures. Every piece I sell hangs a bit of heart. "

Markus Ahrens, 36, Lübeck

Philipp Awounou

For some badges Markus Ahrens requires at least 300 euros

"I'm Groundhopper, and over the last 20 years I've been to over 500 football fields across the Republic.

With the travel also began my collecting passion. I specialize in badges from clubs and associations. Currently I have about 5000 to 8000 pieces worth tens of thousands of euros.

The most valuable pins I have with me are from the DFB. From the fifties. Who wants to buy, would have to pay at least 300 €. For me personally, the most valuable badges are those of my favorite club, VfB Lübeck. "

Wolfgang Fuhr, 62, Kassel

Philipp Awounou

For Wolfgang Fuhr, collecting football items has been a profession for decades

"I have been selling religious devotions professionally for 30 years, and I would estimate that there are around 5,000 serious collectors in Germany, 500 of whom are top-class, four-figure and above.

For example, our jersey from Mats Hummels would be interesting for these collectors, worn at the 2014 World Cup against France. The price is 3800 euros.

We come to such pieces through personal contacts within the DFB. Other jerseys are offered by family members of the players or - also often - by ex-professionals.

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Of course, there are also many fakes on the market. But collectors at this price level can recognize an original. The Hummels jersey, for example, because it was made in July 2013 and because the shirt size is a number and not, as in fan jerseys, with a letter.

You get that kind of detail by just chatting with the groundsman. "

Stefan Sandlos, 39, Fulda

Philipp Awounou

Stefan Sandlos' most valuable possession is a jersey worn by Günter Netzer from the 1970/71 season

"Together with two friends I have a jersey collection with over 1000 pieces and we have set up a website where people can look at them.

My friends and I are all under 40, so we cut the age cut already significantly. Too bad: collecting is of course very nerdy, but these pieces are simply a lot of great memories.

I am very proud of the worn jersey of Günter Netzer from the championship season 1971. One copy we have, our second one is in the "Fohlenwelt". A Netzer jersey from a championship year - more than Gladbach fan does not go! "

Maik Köhler, 48, Euskirchen

Philipp Awounou

Maik Köhler has a 30-square-meter BVB room at home

"I own 731 different scarves from Borussia Dortmund, I do not know anybody who has more, they are at home in my BVB room, 30 square meters in size.

Here, like most, I sell only what I have twice. For example, the scarf of the European Cup match 1994 against Deportivo La Coruña. As Lars Ricken has shot just before the end of extra time, the decisive goal. I was in the stadium, it literally burned after the winning goal! "