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 matchday programme throughout the current campaign.


Helmut Dietterle, a football trainer in the east part of Württemberg for over 25 years, has coached a number of different sides in varying divisions down the years. The basis for the success of the promotion expert in amateur football remains the same: "The time I spent under the guidance of Jürgen Sundermann at VfB still has an impact on me today. I have assumed a great deal from him, such as how to encourage camaraderie and a willingness to battle within the team, as well as identification with the club and the surrounding environment."

All for one

In particular the manner in which Jürgen Sundermann led the VfB team during the 1976/1977 season, was the reason behind the successful season being crowned with promotion in the opinion of Helmut Dietterle. "Jürgen Sundermann managed to develop a team that played with fervour and that completely identified with the city and the region."

As was the case in the promotion season. Helmut Dietterle was involved in each of the first seven games, before then being thwarted by injury. That subsequently cost him his place and led to him having a difficult time getting back into the team. But the comeback was achieved and Dietterle made a total of sixteen appearances for the Wasenelf in the promotion season. Those are just statistic though! The part he played in securing the return to the top-flight was just as significant as with every other individual – and all of those involved at the time are in agreement. It was team-spirit at textbook level and it led to promotion.