On the club’s 77th birthday on 13th February 2025, 1. FC Köln have given Hennes I. his rightful place in the FC Hall of Fame. On this day 75 years ago, Carola and Harry from Circus Williams handed over a goat as a good luck charm on the club’s second Karneval meeting. The goat, which was passed over by Circus Manager, Carola alongside Circus Director, Johann Thelen, would be named Hennes on the same evening as a nod to player-manager, Hennes Weisweiler. Today, the tradition is continued into a ninth generation with Hennes IX.
“In honour of this unique moment in the club's history, we are also inducting Hennes I. into our Hall of Fame, following on from numerous great FC personalities. Hennes is of incredible importance as a figure of identification and a popular figure for 1. FC Köln. His popularity contributes significantly to the fact that, regardless of the respective sporting situation, year after year in Köln, but also far beyond, numerous people give their hearts to FC from an early age and remain loyal to our club for a lifetime,” explained FC President, Dr. Werner Wolf.
The special honour has also generated enthusiasm amongst the descendants of the former protagonists. “The anniversary is a great occasion for this fantastic moment. I am delighted that my parents were the originators of Hennes‘ significance for 1. FC Köln with their gift,” says Jeanette Williams, daughter of Carola and Harry Williams.
Raphaela Manns, daughter of Johann Thelen, is also delighted on behalf of the family: “It makes us very proud that our father's idea still resonates today and has been honoured in this way. Inclusion in the 1. FC Köln Hall of Fame makes it easier for us to pass on this very personal family history from generation to generation.”
While Jeanette Williams now lives in the USA and is unable to attend, Raphaela Manns lives in Linz am Rhein and her family will be in the LANXESS arena on Thursday evening at the Lachenden FC-Arena and on Sunday 23rd February against Fortuna Düsseldorf to honour Hennes.