SV Darmstadt 98 creates new memorial for deceased Lilies fan
A new memorial to Jonathan Heimes is being created at the Merck Stadium at Böllenfalltor. Work began this week on redesigning the plaza in front of the main stand. In the future, it will be named "Jonathan Heimes Square" and will commemorate the Darmstadt fan who died of cancer about ten years ago. His motto, "You have to fight," remains closely associated with SV Darmstadt 98 to this day.
According to the club, the work is expected to be completed by the home game against Hannover 96 on August 30th or at the latest by the game against Arminia Bielefeld on September 11th.
The idea for Jonathan Heimes Square originated in the spring from an initiative by the fan scene. The concept was subsequently developed jointly with SV Darmstadt 98 and the Heimes family. The newly designed square is intended to create a central memorial and meeting place on the stadium grounds.
As part of the new regulations, the south stand, previously named after Jonathan Heimes, will in future be referred to by its original name again.
“Fighter, role model and bridge builder”
“Jonathan Heimes was a fighter, a role model, and a bridge-builder. His work and motto continue to shape the club to this day,” explains Darmstadt 98 President Markus Pfitzner. Johnny’s courage, zest for life, and unwavering fighting spirit remain an inspiration to many. “This memorial on our stadium grounds is meant to commemorate him. We are very happy to honor this remarkable man with this memorial.”
Jonathan Heimes' father, Martin, also welcomes the new memorial: "We are very pleased that a suitable place has been found to honor Johnny's story and make it accessible to all stadium visitors." The family hopes that the space will be actively used as a meeting place and give strength and inspiration to other people.
Jonathan Heimes and the Lilies
Jonathan Heimes' story is closely linked to SV Darmstadt 98. The passionate fan of the Lilies contracted cancer as a teenager and became known far beyond Darmstadt for his motto, "You have to fight." He died in 2016 at the age of 26.
In the 2016/17 season, Merck relinquished its naming rights to the stadium, which was then temporarily called the "Jonathan Heimes Stadium at Böllenfalltor." Later, the south stand was named after Heimes. Merck had initiated this renaming. Together with ENTEGA, the company also relinquished its advertising space on the roof's parapet in 2017.
The SV Darmstadt 98 team also wore special jerseys in the past bearing the inscription "You have to fight." With this, the Lilies commemorated Jonathan Heimes and simultaneously drew attention to the initiative he founded, which supports children and young people with cancer and other serious illnesses.
With the Jonathan Heimes Square, the memory of probably the most famous Lilies fan now has a permanent and central place directly at the Böllenfalltor.
(DARMSTADT – RED/SVD)
Archive photo: Arthur Schönbein
