Strasbourg welcomes the Lille club at home this Friday, October 14 for the 11th day of Ligue 1. Like every match day, a man in the shadows will be active all day, and make sure everything goes well. behind the scenes at La Meinau: this is Serge Hammer. The 57-year-old has been the caretaker at La Meinau for 23 years.
Concierge behind the scenes at matches
Serge Hammer even played in Racing as a youngster with José Cobos, before getting seriously injured. Club employee for 34 years, he had to point to the ANPE at the time of the judicial liquidation. “Marc Keller (the president of Racing) told me he was taking me back. He’s my boss, but also my friend” says Serge Hammer.
The concierge’s day starts very early, at 6 a.m.. “I open all the doors, the living rooms, to see if there are any problems. I check that everything is in order, because I also take care of the cleaning” explains this former Racing player.
Almost a lifetime in Racing
“There are people who are there for the game and I am there to work. There are even days I don’t see the game at all, because I am there for the customers who come to the salons. They have to be happy when they leave. That’s what I’m here for, to solve these problems.” proudly tells Serge Hammer.
I know the stadium by heart, I love it, I love it…
The day starts early but also ends late, until 2am sometimes. In 34 years, the concierge has experienced a lot at Racing : intrusions into the stadium, funny stories, shouting matches, secrets he keeps to himself. It will be heartbreaking for him to leave Meinau, when he retires in five years. “I know the stadium by heart, I love it, I love it. When I leave here, it will be a bit tough” he admits.