Kissinger visit fails to boost Fürth's fortunes
Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger said on Saturday he hoped Gruether Fürth win this season's Bundesliga title after returning to his Franconian hometown to watch his football team play.
The 89-year-old, who served under presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, was born in Fürth and as a boy he watched Gruether Fürth play before his Jewish family fled Nazi Germany in 1938.
Having won Germany's second division in May, Fürth are playing their first season in the Bundesliga in the club's 109-year history and Kissinger, who served as Secretary of State from 1973 until 1977, is a life-long fan.
"I wish Fürth win the title," he said with a wink having travelled from the US to visit Fürth's Trolli Arena ground, formerly known as the Ronhof, for the German league match against Schalke 04.
"The Ronhof I know has changed a lot. I used to watch the game from the terraces, but I will be treated a lot better today."
Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his role in the Paris Peace Accords, which eventually helped lead to the end of the Vietnam War.
While in office, he insisted on being informed of Fürth's results.
"My father always advised me, opera visits were better than going to the Ronhof," he said.
“Whenever I went there, I always got into trouble when I got home. I had always hoped they would be promoted."
Fürth's president Helmut Hack was delighted Kissinger had paid the north Bavarian team a visit.
"It's wonderful that he kept his promise to come and see us," he said. "He's our most famous ambassador to the world."
But Kissinger's visit was not enough to lift his team who lost 2-0 after goals by Julian Draxler, who turns 19 on Thursday, and midfielder Lewis Holtby.
The defeat left Fürth 12th in the league.
AFP/hc
Comments
See Also
The 89-year-old, who served under presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald Ford, was born in Fürth and as a boy he watched Gruether Fürth play before his Jewish family fled Nazi Germany in 1938.
Having won Germany's second division in May, Fürth are playing their first season in the Bundesliga in the club's 109-year history and Kissinger, who served as Secretary of State from 1973 until 1977, is a life-long fan.
"I wish Fürth win the title," he said with a wink having travelled from the US to visit Fürth's Trolli Arena ground, formerly known as the Ronhof, for the German league match against Schalke 04.
"The Ronhof I know has changed a lot. I used to watch the game from the terraces, but I will be treated a lot better today."
Kissinger won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1973 for his role in the Paris Peace Accords, which eventually helped lead to the end of the Vietnam War.
While in office, he insisted on being informed of Fürth's results.
"My father always advised me, opera visits were better than going to the Ronhof," he said.
“Whenever I went there, I always got into trouble when I got home. I had always hoped they would be promoted."
Fürth's president Helmut Hack was delighted Kissinger had paid the north Bavarian team a visit.
"It's wonderful that he kept his promise to come and see us," he said. "He's our most famous ambassador to the world."
But Kissinger's visit was not enough to lift his team who lost 2-0 after goals by Julian Draxler, who turns 19 on Thursday, and midfielder Lewis Holtby.
The defeat left Fürth 12th in the league.
AFP/hc
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.