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.

Generally speaking, the promotion season with VfB was once of the most painful in Klaus-Dieter Jank’s career, as the 24-year-old suffered stomach problems for several months. The same pain, day-in, day-out! He reduced his participation in training and even sat out four matches, but the problems remained. The reason: Klaus-Dieter Jank had two holes in his groin area, which required surgery at the end of the season.

Although not before the campaign was completed – as he was determined not to be forced into another long stint on the side-lines. And certainly not during a season which was going so well for him. He and the club were both enjoying success and the day-to-day routine was one he particularly enjoyed.

"The best period of my career"

"I don’t know if I would have returned to VfB if Jürgen Sundermann hadn’t been coach," recalled Klaus-Dieter Jank, "but he managed to ignite an amazing enthusiasm and unity within the team. The three years under Jürgen Sundermann as trainer was the best period in my career." And it was quite a period -first promotion and then fourth place and subsequently second place in the Bundesliga in the following two seasons. Even forty years later, Klaus-Dieter Jank, who made 34 appearances and sored six goals during the promotion season, still fondly remembers a wonderful time in Stuttgart.