Uwe Rosler Cult Hero - Your Views Are Required
We were recently contacted by Robin a post-graduate student at the University of Brighton. He's doing his dissertation on German players in English professional football. He's looking for views on Uwe Rosler and his e-mail explains it all:-
"Dear ManCity fans
I am a postgraduate student at the University of Brighton and my MA-dissertation is concerned with fan views on German players in English professional football. At the centre of my research are five players including ManCity's Uwe Rösler (1994-1998) and, of course, Bert Trautmann.
It is vital for my thesis to know especially fom the fan's perspective how and why Rösler became a cult figure in Manchester. I found some stuff about Trautmann, but I could not figure out why, when and how Rösler became a City hero.
As you maybe remember, he came to the club in March 1994 on loan from Dynamo Dresden. At the beginning of the next season he got a proper contract and was already very popular. Fans created an own song for him which ended at the end of the year in the creation of a special t-shirt saying "Uwe's granddad bombed Old Trafford".
I really need to find out how his relationship with ManCity fans started, whether you loved him straight away (maybe because of your positive experience with Trautmann) or because of any special thing that happened. Would be great if you could help in any way (fan contacts, your own experience).
If you know people who might be able to tell me their view, please ask them to write to germanfootballer@googlemail.com. Anyone who answers should, if possible, tell his name, his age, for how long he has been a City supporter and how he follows the team (TV, internet, newspaper, stadium) so that I get an idea of his involvement with the club. I am really desperate and I would appreciate it very much if you could assist me with this problem.
Thank you in advance and best regards
Robin"
posted by Manchester City Supporters' Trust @ 4:36 pm
15 comments
"YOUR CITY. YOUR TRUST."
15 Comments:
Sent my thoughts on Rosler to Robin yesterday. What a giant of a player he was - boy could we do with him today !
You could say that again bluesology! If we had him in his prime last season I am sure he would have guaranteed us at least 10 goals.
The idolisation of Uwe Rosler has always baffled me. He was embroiled in our lowest times in our history with 2 relegations in 3 years but time seems to have clouded supporters memories. He was a selfish, slow and obvious player, couldn't beat a man. He had one good season - a purple patch you might say - but from then on he was found out. I sympathised with the fact that he has recently been very unwell with cancer, but i don't think this sentiment should cloud anybody's judgement. Niall Quinn was a far superior player and he left without barely a whimper from City fans in 96 and went on to score lots of goals for Sunderland and Ireland thereafter. I think it's embarrassing that we even think or mention him in reference to the word 'Legend' considering his meagre achievements and limited ability.
65 goals in 181 games during difficult circumstances is a good return in my book. Worked hard and a bit of an entertainer, fans favourite etc. Thanks Uwe!
sorry but our mentality to idolise foreigners always baffles me, he was no better than paul stewart, both average players, no more.
Rosler was a typical German. He worked hard on the pitch and always wanted to know. Sure he was no superstar, not the most skillful of players but he was always there giving 100%. More than can be said for recent buys and others. A goal every 2 and a half games is a good turn around for a "selfish, slow and obvious player, couldn't beat a man."....
Tony
Rosler was a legend because he loved the fans/club and the fans loved him. More importantly he scored alot of goals in a dire man ity side. He was awesome I'd have him back in his prime any day of the week
Uwe was indeed a Man City legend , a modern day hero , you always got 110% when Uwe was on the pitch .An absolute true professional and what would I give for that never say die attitude today !
the guy who posted at 6:22 PM is clearly bitter about something or just as clueless as pearce.
- uwe rosler was three time consectutive top scorer for the club0, i should goal scorers get pretty good status. goater was never the most gifted of players but he had the ability of being there at the right time and putting it in the net- rosler was a goal scorer, played with his heart and entertained the crowd with walshy! - it went dismally wrong when alan ball took over-
Let's have it right, 65 in 181 is near 1 in 3. If you take out his first full season when nobody knew who he was where i seem to remember he scored about 22 in all competitions including something ridiculous like 4 against Notts County in the FA Cup, and the goals he scored in the two seasons in the Nationwide Division 1, the second of which culminated in us dropping to our lowest point in our history (at which point he jumped ship) allied with penalties then the goals to games ration i reckon would be something horrible like 25 in 130. If people apply the title of 'legend' just because of so-called 'endeavour' then that is a very poor standard by which to judge. A legend for me is someone who used their talent consistently over many seasons and dragged us forward with their presence. Hard work, endeavour, sweat on the shirt should be a given, not an exception to the rule. The players shouldn't be judged on their effort as its always one of those intangible qualities that different fans and coaches and players see differently and its the bare minimum. Have we become such a battered wife of a football club that we expect most players not only expect players to have little ability but to not even try or to be lazy. I remember watching countless away games in 96/97, 97/98 where the guy was not only hopeless but looked as though didn't want to fight for the badge or get us back to where we belong and duly he abandoned the club and fans he loved so much, where? At the third tier of English football, the only time in our club's colourful and proud history that we had dropped this far into the abyss. He obviosly didn't care enough about this and didn't stick around to suffer or expereience the dire consequnces of this. Thank God he didn't, he would have probably kept The Goat on the sidelines whilst inanely being the subject to adulation by warped fans, the Goat being openly booed onto the pitch, and then stayed in the 3rd division until someone realised that Rosler was actually one of the major proablems and reasons we were relegated 2 out of 3 seasons but was worshiped still for one good season and not criticised little for his ineptitude thereafter.
I think Uwe is 'remembered' by a lot of fans for his goal at Old Trafford in an ultimately losing FA cup performance. His celebration afterwards included a clear dig at the management which is something we could all sympathise with back then...errrrr
Big part of his popularity was that his name fitted the in vogue "Go West" terrace anthem. Mainly though his popularity was because he could always explode into goalscoring action whoever the opposition and often did. Unlike say Imre Varadi, whose name fitted a song with the tune from Zorba the Greek or something similar and was sung alot but he was never really rated by City fans. Sorry Mr thesis writer but being German counted for nothing either way - he was popular first and the German thing was mined for humour later.
Perhaps many contributers are unable to remember simple non greedy football played by true and honest legends like Mike Summerbee.Not only did they sweat blood to deliver for the fans they entertained week in week out 100% Bert Trautman did it before Mike and Uwe fitted the mould no nonsense courage and commitment that is why he will be always remenbered by the true fans!
Tim you've got those certain specs on. Rossler was no old fashioned honest pro - he did alot of diving and got sent off at Arsenal for it if memory serves. He did not become a cult hero by sweating blood - sheer effort never made anyone a cult hero. Ask Jamie Pollock. He did not entertain week in week out either. He was not that good.
You dont have to be a world class player to become a hero at City. All it takes is passion, pride and hard work. Rosler had all these and was one of the modern greats for us, the goal celebration infront of Ball was what every fan would have loved to done! Andy Morrison was another cult hero, not the best central defender, but was commited 150% to each game.
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