After more than three decades, the 1. FC Köln football club has finally bid farewell to one of its own legends, Maurice Banach. The club commemorated Maurice’s life and football career at an honorary game named “Mucki Unforgotten”, which had 3,500 spectators in attendance.
Many former teammates and companions, including Olaf Janßen, Franz Wunderlich, and Falko Götz, graced the Franz Kremer Stadium for the event. Alex Bade, Olaf Janßen, and Franz Wunderlich, who played alongside Banach, were among the guests.
The Banach family, including the late striker’s wife Claudia, were also present. In a sorrowful statement, Claudia said, “I hope this game will help me to finally end his death and grief after all these years.”
The game against St. Truiden from Belgium was only incidental for the occasion, and Köln lost 0:1 (0:1). Regardless, there was a glimmer of hope: central defender Luca Kilian (23) played through without problems after an injury break of almost two months until the break.
Maurice Banach died tragically on November 17, 1991. He was on his way to training on the A1 when his car left the road near Remscheid, crashed into a bridge pier, and died instantly. Banach, who everyone called “Mucki,” was only 24 years old. During his professional days with FC Köln (1990-1991), the striker played 49 games and scored 24 goals.
His former coach, Erich Rutemöller (78), still thinks of Mucki whenever he drives past the scene of the accident.
