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Ratinger Evers is planning major fan networking after the emotional game in Emden
Find out more about the activities of the Ratinger delegation in Emden, which promote local football and culture.
Ratinger Evers is planning major fan networking after the emotional game in Emden
In the last few days, East Frisia was the scene of a special event: a group of Ratingers traveled to an exciting soccer game played by Kickers Emden. The excursion was organized by Manfred Evers, a long-time fan who has been spending his vacation time in East Frisia for 45 years, with only a few exceptions. Evers and his wife Gabi have developed a deep connection to Pilsum and the region. “I just feel at home here,” says Evers from his perspective.
The occasion was an exciting game in the Regionalliga Nord between the Kickers Emden and Jeddeloh II. As lokalkompass.de describes, Otto Waalkes, who acts as the Kickers' main sponsor, was also looking forward to the match, especially since his mascot, the Ottifant, which adorns the jerseys. Evers has been following the club's fortunes since the late 80s and decided to bring a banner to show his support.
The trip to Emden
On October 18, 2025, the KuK trip (kickers and culture) started with a group of around 50 enthusiasts in Emden. The journey there went without any problems, but the journey back was not quite as pleasant with the usual hassle that we know from Deutsche Bahn. Despite minor difficulties, the group had a good time.
A highlight of the trip was the visit to the Kunsthalle in Emden, which Evers described with enthusiasm. “Art has really shaped the city,” he says, adding that although the Ostfriesland Stadium seemed rather improvised, visiting the stadium was an unforgettable experience.
The game and its twists
The match itself started with a shock - Kickers Emden had to accept a red card in the 5th minute when Michael Igwe was sent off. While Jeddeloh quickly took a 2-0 lead, Emden scored the next goal before Jeddeloh increased it to 3-1. Ultimately it stayed that way and the Kickers had to live with another defeat. Evers was disappointed but still composed after the game. “The team fights, even if the results are not always right,” he concluded.
However, the mood among those present was mixed. Jeddeloh's coach Björn Lindemann was satisfied, but criticized the performance after the 3-1 win. Kickers coach Stefan Emmerling also spoke about the challenges of this season. Evers continues to plan to connect the Kickers fans in Ratingen more closely and give them a feeling of community.
Another impressive experience for Birgit Beuder, a 76-year-old spectator, was her first live football game. This shows that football in the region is an important part of life not only for the younger generations, but also for older people.
Finally, it should be noted that the assessment of the people of Emden as “Emdeners” in the region's dialect is a recurring theme that locals consider to be not insignificant. Whatever the case, the love for their team and the inseparable connection to East Frisia are clear.