‘You could always rely on Bulle':Happy Birthday! FCB legend Franz Roth turns 70

Franz Roth wrote his name into the FC Bayern history books in his debut season. 1967, the European Cup Winners' Cup final against Glasgow Rangers. Roth, then 21 years old, scored the only goal of the match in extra time, wrapping up Munich’s very first international triumph. Today, almost 49 years later, Bulle (The Bull) turns 70!

“Dear Bulle, on behalf of FC Bayern I wish you all the best,” Karl-Heinz Rummenigge said in a video message. “You were a great and important player for FC Bayern, we could always count on you – especially in the European Cup finals,” the chairman recalled. “Many thanks for everything you've done for FC Bayern!”

The Bayern family remembers Roth's performances in the 1975 and 1976 European Cup finals in particular. Bulle put Bayern in the lead against Leeds United: the game ended in a 2-0 victory. In the 1-0 success against Saint-Etienne he scored the match-winner from a free-kick. “It was wonderful to score these important goals,” recalled Roth. The native Bavarian was an integral part of the Golden XI featuring Franz Beckenbauer, Gerd Müller and Sepp Maier. “It was a wonderful time with a great team.”