50,000 fans attend Schalke-Tag despite the bad weather

Presenters Dirk Oberschulte-Beckmann and Jörg Seveneick greeted all the supporters at 11:04 CEST on the main stage. The day included a number of highlights, including a chat with club legends Olaf Thon and Klaus Fischer, as well as the Steigerlied Song Contest. The ‘Kellerchor’ were named as the winners of the competition at the end of the day.

Reis speaks to the fans

Following a welcome from the board members Bernd Schröder, Peter Knäbel and Christina Rühl Hamers (who celebrated her birthday on the day), the coaching team and sporting director André Hechelmann spoke to the fans in great length from 12:24 CEST onwards. “We want to have a successful season together with you guys and achieve our targets,” said Reis to the attending supporters. He stressed that he believes his squad will stick together over the coming campaign. “The new signings have all settled in nicely and are all well up for playing for Schalke,” he added at his first official fan day as head coach.

Hechelmann explained that him and his team are working hard every day to improve the squad. “We are constantly active on the transfer market and know what kind of players we want,” he said. The 38-year-old, along with Reis, wished Leo Greiml all the best after he suffered a serious knee injury in yesterday’s friendly against FC Twente.

Staff sing the club song

Gerald Asamoah, first-team manager, other staff members and all the players spoke on stage to Dirk Oberschulte-Beckmann and Jörg Seveneick. They all thanked the fans for their support and spoke about the upcoming season. Gerald Asamoah and some of his colleagues then sang the club’s song ‘Blau und Weiß, wie lieb ich dich’ on stage.

Matriciani voted Player of the Season

One thing that traditionally happens on Schalke-Tag is the presentation of the Player of the Season award, as voted for by the Supporters’ Club (SFCV). Henning Matriciani came first in the voting for last season. “The fans appreciate my way of playing football. It’s really enjoyable to play in front of these supporters,” commented the Germany U21 international.

There was plenty of activity away from the main stage too. Fans got the chance to get an autograph from their favourite players, and the coaches, and could also go on a tour around the VELTINS-Arena. The club’s partners also put on various activities and games to keep supporters entertained.