Mourning for the cult trainer: A few weeks before his 79th birthday, Siegfried Meyer, whom everyone called just “Siggi”, died after a long, serious illness.
Gütersloh-Friedrichsdorf (gl) – “He had legendary status at TuS Friedrichsdorf,” said “Tippe’s” former second chairman Werner Stegemann, who was deeply affected by the news of Meyer’s death.
“As long as his illness permitted, he was always there to advise us,” said department head Rico Weber, who appreciated Meyer’s cooperation right up to the end. Even when the TuS footballers were in a free fall from the district league down to the district league B, the veterans didn’t let the green-whites down.
“Friedrichsdorf is ultimately a matter close to my heart,” the record-breaking coach, later team manager and consultant, explained more than once and he really meant it honestly.
Siggi Meyer enjoyed a high reputation beyond “Tippe” throughout his long-standing coaching career and his tireless commitment. And no other local trainer will be able to compete with Meyer: he looked after the first team for almost 39 years, with only two short interruptions. With sometimes bizarre ideas: He sometimes lit candles in the dressing room to motivate his players for an important game.
During this time, the “Mick Jagger of amateur football” – a not entirely inappropriate comparison from the local media – only allowed himself two short breaks before returning to the bench. His greatest coup: promotion to the regional league in the 1980s, whereupon euphoric fans painted the village intersection green in keeping with the club’s color.
Meyer’s connection to the TuS was also reflected in the color of his sweaters: he preferred to wear them in green. “Siggi’s successful era in Friedrichsdorf was also thanks to his network, which he constantly expanded,” says Werner Stegemann looking back. There were also setbacks, but they never discouraged Meyer: When he officially said goodbye, the TuS played in the district league, now only in the district league B.
Two years ago there was a Meyer comeback towards the end of the season, but his rescue mission failed: the traditional club had to leave the district league A at the time. And for the last time, the fans saw Friedrichsdorf’s football rock’n’roller as in earlier times, regardless of his advanced age.
It was a ritual, probably to calm his nerves: During a game, he circled the sports field at least twice – cursing or praising loudly, depending on the score. Tantrums were included. “I rarely saw him in the coaching bench,” remembers Rico Weber with a smile.
The news of the popular coach’s death spread quickly throughout the football circle. Because everyone knew Siggi Meyer, also or especially because the blades crossed each other again and again over the decades.
A neighboring club is also mourning the TuS legend: in the 1970s he stormed for SC Verl and scored several goals on Poststrasse. Because of his robust style of play, he rolled through the lower leagues under the nickname “Panzer-Meyer”. However, the cult trainer may have liked the comparison with Rolling Stones perennial favorite Mick Jagger better.
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