Rüdiger Vollborn
Encyclopedia
Rüdiger Vollborn is a retired German
footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.
During a 17-year professional career, he played solely for Bayer Leverkusen, appearing in a total of 401 Bundesliga
matches.
debut, on 13 August 1983, a 1–2 loss at FC Bayern Munich
, ending his first season with all 34 matches played (50 goals conceded).
In the following eleven seasons combined, Vollborn only missed 15 games combined, helping Bayer to several top-two and top-three finishes in the league. In the 1987–88 season, he appeared in 45 official matches, including 12 in the club's victorious UEFA Cup campaign, where he kept a total of eight clean sheets - in the final's second leg
, he saved three attempts in the penalty shootout against RCD Español
.
Following the emergence of Dirk Heinen
(also groomed at Bayer Leverkusen), Vollborn became second-choice, only appearing in four matches in four years combined, and retiring from the game in 1999, at 36. In the following year, he returned to his only club as goalkeeper's coach, helping develop for instance René Adler
, who would eventually reach the German national team
.
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
footballer, who played as a goalkeeper.
During a 17-year professional career, he played solely for Bayer Leverkusen, appearing in a total of 401 Bundesliga
Fußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
matches.
Football career
Vollborn made his senior debuts with Bayer 04 Leverkusen. Promoted to the first team for the 1982–83 season, he had to wait until the following one to make his first divisionFußball-Bundesliga
The Fußball-Bundesliga is a professional association football league in Germany. At the top of Germany's football league system, it is the country's primary football competition. It is contested by 18 teams and operates on a system of promotion and relegation with the 2. Bundesliga...
debut, on 13 August 1983, a 1–2 loss at FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich
FC Bayern Munich , is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. It is best known for its professional football team, which is the most successful football club in Germany, having won 22 national titles and 15 cups....
, ending his first season with all 34 matches played (50 goals conceded).
In the following eleven seasons combined, Vollborn only missed 15 games combined, helping Bayer to several top-two and top-three finishes in the league. In the 1987–88 season, he appeared in 45 official matches, including 12 in the club's victorious UEFA Cup campaign, where he kept a total of eight clean sheets - in the final's second leg
1988 UEFA Cup Final
The 1988 UEFA Cup Final was a football tie played on May 4, 1988 and May 18, 1988 between RCD Espanyol of Spain and Bayer 04 Leverkusen of West Germany. Leverkusen won 3–2 on penalties after 3-3 on aggregate.-First leg:-Second leg:...
, he saved three attempts in the penalty shootout against RCD Español
RCD Espanyol
Reial Club Deportiu Espanyol de Barcelona is a sports club based in Barcelona, Spain. It is best known for its football team. Espanyol currently play in the Estadi Cornellà-El Prat with seats for 40,500 spectators. It was inaugurated on 2 August 2009...
.
Following the emergence of Dirk Heinen
Dirk Heinen
Dirk Heinen is a former football goalkeeper.- Career :Heinen played most of his matches in his nine year stint at Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen, before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt. In 2002, he transferred to Turkcell Super League side Denizlispor, but returned to the Bundesliga after just one...
(also groomed at Bayer Leverkusen), Vollborn became second-choice, only appearing in four matches in four years combined, and retiring from the game in 1999, at 36. In the following year, he returned to his only club as goalkeeper's coach, helping develop for instance René Adler
René Adler
René Adler is a German footballer who plays as a goalkeeper in the German Bundesliga for Bayer Leverkusen and for the German national team.-Career:...
, who would eventually reach the German national team
Germany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
.
Honours
- German CupDFB-PokalThe DFB-Pokal or DFB Cup is a German knockout football cup competition held annually. 64 teams participate in the competition, including all clubs from the Bundesliga and the 2nd Bundesliga. It is considered the second most important national title in German football after the Bundesliga...
: 1992–93 - UEFA Cup: 1987–88