FC Schalke 04 go bring one old favourite back to Veltins-Arena before dia home game against Mainz 05: Wühli, the mole mascot, dey return after more than 30 years. The club tok say Wühli go show face on Saturday, 17 October, 15:30, during the sustainability matchday for Veltins-Arena.
Erwin still be the official mascot of the club, but Wühli get new role. E go become ambassador for sustainability, and him main work na to make children and young people interested in the topic. FC Schalke 04 spokesman Alex Jacob tok say dem want use the character to pass message, make people aware, and teach young people and children.
Wühli no be new face for the club history. From 1991 to 1995, na him be the first mascot of the club before Erwin take over. The choice of mole still connect with mining history of Ruhrgebiet, the region wey the club come from.
But him first entrance in summer 1991 no go as people expect. On 16 June, the club announce one big surprise through stadium speakers, and many fans think say Olaf Thon dey return. Olaf Thon bin dey play for FC Bayern München that time. Instead, Charly Neumann present the mole in front of the Nordkurve. The excitement no high at first.
Now Wühli get second chance to win the hearts of the club fans. With him new role, the club hope say e go connect well with the youngest supporters and help make dem conscious of how to use resources responsibly. Him appearance against Mainz 05 no be just nostalgia; the old mascot go help pass important future topics around the club.
For the pitch, the game no go easy. After the away defeat in Freiburg, FC Schalke 04 want show reaction in front of home crowd. The match na the sixth matchday of the Bundesliga, and the club dey chase first home win this season. New signing Junior Dina Ebimbe, wey join from Eintracht Frankfurt, still never take him chance to stand out. The game against Mainz 05 fit give am important opportunity to prove himself.
