A dark day in Köln history. They were relegated for the 5th time in 14 years after losing 4-1 to Bayern on the final matchday.  It was also local favorite Lukas Podolski’s final match for the club.  Supporters frustration showed as several smoke bombs were lit towards the end, forcing the referee to suspend the match before the final whistle.  

To this day, no Köln/Gladbach encounter is more famous than the 1973 DFB Pokal final, won 2-1 by Gladbach thanks to Netzer’s dramatic late goal.  Above are Gladbach’s Bernd Rupp challenging for the ball against Köln’s Bernd Cullmann.  In the background Jupp Heynckes and Josef Kapellmann are looking on.

One of the most unexpected runs in DFB Pokal history, VfL Bochum in 1967/68, a team playing in the second division at the time, surprised everyone and reached the final, losing 4-1 to Köln. They beat Bayern München, Borussia Mönchengladbach and VfB Stuttgart along the way.

Jan Schlaudraff converts Hannover’s second goal fro mthe spot as they beat Köln 4-1 on matchday 26 of the 2011/12 Bundesliga season.  In doing so, Hannover set a new club record, going 14 home matches unbeaten.  In the background are Hannover’s Mame Biram Diouf and Köln’s Sasha Riether.

The 1977/78 title winning Köln of Hennes Weisweiler (second row, left)

1. FC Köln’s 5-0 win against St. Pauli on the last matchday of the 1977/78 season meant that they were crowned champions, breaking the Bayern München/Borussia Mönchengladbach duopoly. At that time it was the closest ever title race with Köln edging Gladbach by goal difference.

Wolfgang Overath doing his best James Dean impression.  

1. FC. Köln’s Bodo Illgner and Anton “Toni” Polster.  They played together at Köln for three years. 

Thousands of Köln supporters welcomed their team after the DFB Pokal win over Fortuna Köln in 1983. 

A certain Mrs. Podolski feeding her son when he was still living at home.  Things haven’t changed that much over the years.