Get to Know: Stephan Timpe, Royal Blue Angels Founder

How did you become a Schalke fan? What was the first game you ever watched?
I’m from Düsseldorf originally, 35-40 kilometers from Gelsenkirchen. The first game I ever went to was in 1997 at the Parkstadion – the year of the Eurofighter. It’s a funny story of how I became a Schalker – I don’t particularly remember the game, but I went with my father with no jersey or merchandise, just regular clothes. Some supporters behind me tipped on my shoulder and said, “Hey are you here to cheer for Schalke?” and I said yes. They gave me a scarf – I was quite happy to keep it, and I’ve been addicted to the club ever since. My son was even signed up as a Schalke member 30 minutes after his birth!

What’s it like supporting Schalke in Los Angeles? How did you start your own fan group?
“I had season tickets when I lived in Germany. My Dad, a lot of friends and I we drove every home match – and to a lot of away games, too. When my girlfriend and I moved to Los Angeles a year and a half ago, my friends brought me to LAFC matches. I met so many football people, but I didn’t have the connection to any club here like I did with Schalke. It made me miss the club a lot, especially as we gathered to watch European games on the weekend. I wasn’t able to find a Schalke fan club in the area – so I made one myself. The ability to get together with Schalke fans and share the club was something I missed, and it’s been really rewarding to have that every weekend like I did in Germany.”

What do you love about the club, what makes it special?
Schalke truly is more than a football club. Even in times like these, where supporters may be divided, it truly is a family that comes together under a common goal. I can’t imagine not supporting Schalke. There is just a magic about the club and the environment around it. Back at the VELTINS-Arena, every fan – no matter how much they make or what they paid to enter the ground – is part of a massive family. It’s a special club. I’ve been to many grounds across the Bundesliga and across Europe, and the atmosphere and especially the individuals that surround Schalke is like no other. I truly believe that.

We understand you are part of a football culture brand in California. Tell us about it!
Saturday’s Football is a streetwear brand that aims to bring football and American streetwear culture together. At Saturday’s we say, ‘Always Play Free’. Across the United States, we are engrained in a pay-to-play system, and the guys who founded Saturday’s wanted to invest in a structure where you can bring your friends or meet new people – but don’t have to play to play. We ran pickup games and leagues across the country for free, because that’s what we believe in. We’ve built up a really creative merchandise and brand around that ethos. I work in marketing for them, but during COVID-19 I’ve additionally assisted in production management.

We’ve noticed you have quite a vast collection of Schalke kits from over the years. Which one is your favorite, and how many do you own?
I can’t say. I really have lost count! Right now in the United States with me I have around twenty-five jerseys – and that doesn’t even get into the pants, shorts, jackets, hats, etc. The thing is – I have a lot more back home in Germany, but I wasn’t able or allowed to bring them. My girlfriend only allowed me to bring a certain amount when we moved here! I would say my favorite jersey is the home jersey I have from the 1997 season. It evokes a lot of special memories for me – Eurofighter, my first game at the Parkstadion. I didn’t own it at the time, but it represents the beginning of my Schalke story.

What is your favorite Schalke 04 game that you have watched?
Schalke chartered a flight for supporters to Madrid for the Champions League game at the Bernabeu in March of 2015 – my Dad and I were able to get tickets. The flight left at 5:00 AM on matchday, and we spent the entire day in Madrid – 8,000 Schalke supporters painting the town blue. It was crazy. Even though we were eliminated on aggregate – to see us defeat Real Madrid, 4-3, at the Bernabeu no less. It was insanity. It was one of Leroy Sane’s breakout games for Schalke as well. He scored an incredible goal, and it was just an incredible, incredible day.

Who is your favorite player that has played for Schalke?
Can I say only one? There are so many! I will give a top three – Jefferson Farfan, Gerald Asamoah and Ebbe Sand. Sand will be my first choice, though. He was such an incredible goal scorer to watch in my early days as a Schalke supporter.

Why do you recommend people support Schalke?
Schalke is more than a club, it’s a family. You may need a lot of patience, but you will experience every emotion imaginable with this club – happy times, bad times, and everything in-between. There is never a dull moment with this club. I really think there’s not as much enjoyment when you support a perennial champion – every weekend the discussion is about a victory. With Schalke, it is the purest of emotions in good times and bad. This is, in my opinion, what makes football so special.