Paul Fernie: “I am firmly convinced that you can only achieve optimal performance if you completely identify with the city and the club. When you recognise the charisma and tradition of the club and realise that you are part of something bigger. To do this, it is essential to find out more about the place and also the history of Darmstadt 98. It was a really exciting afternoon for the players – especially the new arrivals – but also for other people like me who haven’t been at the club for that long.“
The tour started at the Lilienschänke, from which it went over Karl-Hess-Platz to the university stadium. The entourage then paid a visit to the graffiti wall on Nieder-Ramstädter Straße. In the city center we looked at the market square, the castle and Karolinenplatz before going through the Herrngarten to the Schlossgartenplatz. Further stops included the Mathildenhöhe, the Große Woog and the TU Darmstadt area. The team made its way back to the back straight via the city forest, where an extensive tour of the stadium was on the agenda. The importance of the Böllenfalltor location for the club was explained there.