Eighth trip celebrates Gladbach link
A party of Liverpool supporters recently returned from their eighth 'friendship visit' to Moenchengladbach, where a special relationship of more than 30 years was maintained.
Reds fans and their counterparts at Bundesliga club Borussia Moenchengladbach established strong links following the teams' meetings in European competition during the 1970s.
Since 1992, a group of Borussia supporters have travelled to Anfield every winter to support Liverpool, while Kopites, led by organiser Graham Agg, have journeyed in the opposite direction annually since 2007.
In 1991, a delegation of Gladbach fans flew to Merseyside to present a cheque for 21,000 Deutsche Marks to the Hillsborough families, a gesture that has never been forgotten.
It is a friendship that has stood the test of time, and is unique in world football.
This year, the travelling Liverpool supporters unveiled a special flag in honour of Tom Smith, who sadly passed away in February, with the entire trip dedicated to his memory.
In addition, Agg was proud to take along a framed letter with the LFC club crest, which featured a special message from the Reds' managing director, Ian Ayre, who reflected on the unique link between the fans.
After wishing the travelling party a successful eighth annual visit, Ayre also thanked Gladbach supporters for their recent gift of almost 300 scarves to the Hillsborough memorial service on the 25th anniversary of the tragedy.
Agg told Liverpoolfc.com: "I would like to thank Jonny Thomas Polcher and Thomas 'Tower' Weinmann from the BMG Fan Projekt for their help in organising the friendship visit.
"And also the fans of Borussia Moenchengladbach and the citizens of the town of Moenchengladbach for their unbelievable hospitality and friendship shown to the Liverpool fans during their stay.
"I would like to thank all of the travelling Liverpool FC supporters for being superb ambassadors for our great football club and the city of Liverpool.
"The weekend proved yet again that the Borussia Moenchengladbach and Liverpool FC friendship is absolutely unique in world football."