By Roberto Lamprecht
We see President Kay Bernstein (42) with the blue Hertha jacket, which has become his trademark, on Hertha’s grandstand. Next to him is his jacket twin in the home game against Leverkusen. Who is this?
It is Hertha’s former Vice President Peter Gayda (76). In the fall of 1985, in turbulent times, he took over the post under then President Heinz Roloff (died 1998). And saved Hertha!
Gayda: “Back then, Hertha had huge theatres. After relegation to the 3rd division in 1985/86, Hertha had to face bankruptcy judge or bank guarantee. We were completely insolvent. Nobody gave a penny to Hertha anymore. Without the bank guarantees from President Roloff and myself of 15 to 20 million marks, Hertha would not have existed at that time.”
President Kay Bernstein actually always wears his blue Hertha jacket in the stadium Photo: picture alliance / firo Sportpho
Gayda continues about the dark times: “Hertha was kicked out of the Olympic Stadium back then, we had to move to the Post Stadium. Our office consisted of three people. Half of the Hertha players were employed by the companies owned by Roloff and me, they were on the payslip there. We paid for the money out of our own pockets.”
In just a few years, Hertha still managed to climb twice! Then Gayda disappeared for a long time.
Gayda on the BZ: “In 1989/90 we managed to get promoted to the Bundesliga, so I kept my promise. After that I sold my Wannsee villa and emigrated to Florida in the USA.” Now he’s back after more than 30 years.
Jacket twins in the home game against BVB: Bernstein (left) and Gayda Photo: Private
Gayda has sold most of the real estate in the USA, only lives part of the time in Florida, has permanent residences in Mallorca and Belize (Central America) and visits Berlin as often as possible. Gayda: “I’m back, I saw all six of Hertha’s Bundesliga games live in the stadium this season. My heart belongs to the old lady Hertha.”
Is Gayda, who has made a lot of money with real estate, now putting money back into his old love Hertha? He says: “No, I’m not aiming for a position. But I stand by you with a lot of heart, a lot of life experience and a huge network.”
How well does he know Jacken-Gewin Bernstein? Gayda: “I met Kay through a fan group that I’ve always kept in touch with. He’s still young, he’s doing well so far, stands for a new beginning. Something is developing at Hertha, the atmosphere in and around the club is great again. Sporting successes are a must in the future. Also to overtake Union again at some point in the city.”