In the 1976/1977 season, VfB won promotion back to the Bundesliga. Together with the protagonists from back then, we are recalling the events of 40 years ago and presenting the players from the promotion winning side. Between Christmas and New Year, on www.vfb.de, we will be publishing the stories which have been appearing in the match-day programme throughout the current campaign.

Bernd Martin scored quite a few goals in his long football career. Whether in the Bundesliga, the 2. Bundesliga Süd, in European competition or in the DFB-Cup, Bernd Martin, who generally operated as a defensive specialist, also knew where the opposition goal was. Some of his goal were indeed vitally important, such as his December 1973 strike against Dynamo Kyiv in the UEFA Cup. With VfB having lost the first leg of the ‘Round of 16’ in the Ukraine 0-2 and then after taking a 2-0 lead in the return-leg at home, the 18-year-old was on target in the 87^th minute to make it 3-0, thus putting VfB through to the next round.

A moment for all eternity

Bernd Martin also scored some absolutely exceptional goals, such as in the promotion season against SpVgg Fürth: It was the 54th minute of the game when, from a corner, Fürth keeper Peter Löwer punched the ball clear of the penalty area – unintentionally toward Bernd Martin. The VfB defender opted to take the risk and let fly on the volley from 25 meters out. "With my left boot too", explained the right-footer. The ball fizzed unstoppably into the top corner of the net – an unforgettable moment. "That was pure, dumb luck," admitted the now 61-year-old, adding: "A goal like that you only score once in your career." On the day, VfB beat Fürth 3-0, taking two vitally important points in the race for promotion and thus remaining hot on the heels of league leaders TSV 1860 München. From match-day 10 onwards, Bernd Martin was in the starting eleven for every game – scoring seven goals in total and defending stoutly throughout, in helping VfB toward their eventual promotion at the end of the campaign.