London, July 17 : Football supporters in Germany have taken loyalty to their club to a new level by opening fans cemetery just yards from their stadium.
Football supporters in Germany have taken loyalty to their club to a new level by opening fans cemetery just yards from their stadium.
Supporters of Hamburg HSV will from now on have the option of being buried in their club colours on a football stand-shaped lawn reached via a goal-shaped entrance and, most importantly, within earshot of their team's Nordbank arena.
The 80,000 pounds cemetery can take up to 500 die-hard fans and is financed by the supporters' club and sponsors.
It is open to all fans, with younger ones wishing to book a plot invited to pay 2,000 pounds over a 25-year period.
The idea was born after a series of requests by fans for their ashes to be scattered around the sports ground or to be buried under the penalty spot, The Telegraph reported.
Since scattering of ashes is illegal in Germany, the football club decided a cemetery would be the best way of satisfying dedicated fans.
It has also created associated merchandise for burials, including coffins and urns painted in the club's blue and white strip.
"HSV-recognised" stonemasons will chisel fans requests and undertakers will carry out the burials, which would include renditions of the club's anthem: Hamburg My Pearl.
