HAMBURGER SV and Rangers have enjoyed a long-standing friendship dating back to the 1970s. The friendship has now become official, with the signing of a co-operation agreement between the two.
A long-term friendship becomes official. After years of close ties between the two sets of fans, Hamburger SV and Rangers Football Club have now entered into a wide-ranging official partnership that binds the two clubs closer together heading into the future.
With HSV fans heading over in large numbers to Ibrox and Rangers fans visiting the Volksparkstadion every year, the next natural step was a club partnership between the two Bundesliga and Scottish Premiership sides.
As the friendship was initiated by the fans as far back as the 1970s, the HSV and Rangers supporters are at the heart of the agreement, with a number of initiatives planned to cultivate the relationship, including offers at the Volksparkstadion and Ibrox to welcome visiting fans.
Interaction between the two sets of supporters through official channels has already begun, with the first of a number of ‘Fan Talks’, including representatives from both fanbases, coming soon on social media.
This forms part of an integrated media campaign to strengthen the ties that already exist between the blue and white sides of Hamburg and Glasgow, such as the shared celebrations for Jörg Albertz’s 50th birthday at the end of January.
To ensure that the next generation continue to grow the friendship between HSV and the 54-time Scottish champions, plans are already in motion for the junior sections and their respective mascots, Dino Hermann and Broxi Bear, as well as activities between the HSV Fußballschule and Rangers Football Academy.
Commercial activities are in the pipeline as well, so that in the future HSV and Rangers fans will be able to show their support for each other, for example with co-branded merchandise.
Cornelius Göbel, Director of the Fan Culture department at HSV, was thrilled that the partnership has now become official: “As far back as the 1970s we have had a strong friendship with Glasgow Rangers.
"This foundation will be the basis of our work to press on with shared projects in the future, whilst also strengthening and energising the profound connection between the two clubs.
"We are convinced that with this partnership we will be able to implement the wishes of both sets of supporters in the long term.”
The thoughts were echoed by Rangers’ Fan Liaison Officer, Greg Marshall: “We are looking forward to providing great fan engagement opportunities and strengthening the already strong links that our supporters share.
"This partnership originates in fan culture and we are delighted to be able to move forward and work together knowing that this exciting new partnership will appeal greatly to fans of Rangers and HSV alike.”
Commercial and Marketing Director for Rangers, James Bisgrove, shared similar sentiments with the announcement: “We’re delighted to join forces with Hamburger SV and formalise a long-time friendship between two of the most passionate and loyal supporter groups in European football.
"Both clubs have a shared ambition to enrich this unique official relationship and will be collaborating on a wide range of initiatives, including creating opportunities for supporters to unite between Hamburg & Glasgow in 2021 and beyond.”