Miroslav Votava

Club career Borussia Dortmund Born in Prague, Czechoslovakia, Votava started out at local FK Dukla. However, his parents left the country during the Prague Spring, settling first in Australia then West Germany, in Witten. He began playing professionally with Borussia Dortmund in 1974, with the club in the 2. Bundesliga.

Scoring three goals in 22 games in his first season in the Bundesliga, Votava was an undisputed starter onwards. He only missed three matches from 1977 to 1982, although he failed to win any silverware.

Atlético Madrid Votava subsequently moved to Atlético Madrid for 58 million pesetas. He was instrumental for the Colchoneros during his three-year spell, always finishing in the top four in La Liga and also lifting the Copa del Rey in 1985.

Werder Bremen Votava returned to West Germany aged 29, signing with SV Werder Bremen where he would spend a further 11 campaigns and rarely missed a game. He helped the side to the 1991–92 edition of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup and two league titles (to which he contributed a total of 65 matches and five goals). the record lasted until 16 February 2019, when Claudio Pizarro (aged 40 years and 136 days) scored against Hertha BSC.

As he was understandably slowing down, Votava left Bremen during the 1997 January transfer window, joining second-tier VfB Oldenburg and retiring at the end of the season, with his team finishing last. Over a 24-year senior career, he was never sent off; when asked about this disciplinary record, he stated: "I tried to win the ball without committing a foul."

Votava then moved into coaching, starting with last club Oldenburg then moving to SV Meppen, both in the regional leagues. From late 2002 to early 2004, he took the reins of 1. FC Union Berlin of the second division, following which he returned to Werder as a youth coach (he had previously worked with them as a scout).

Honours Atlético Madrid Copa del Rey: 1984–85

Werder Bremen Bundesliga: 1987–88, 1992–93 1993, 1994

West Germany UEFA European Championship: 1980