Gone but not forgotten: Union Berlin remembers deceased fans in moving tribute

(CNN) -- There's a special bond between German football club Union Berlin and its lovers and the proximity of the relationship was respected in a philosophical manner over the weekend as the group made its Bundesliga introduction.
Ahead of Saturday's game against RB Leipzig, Union assistants held up placards of deceased family members with an inscription"Edlich dabei" (Eventually there).
The deceased were counted in the attendance. The Stadion An der Alten F??rsterei's official capacity is listed as 22,402, but Saturday's attendance was recorded as 22,467.
The scene, that's the largest purpose-built soccer ground in Berlin, was opened in 1920, but has experienced a series of structural modifications through the years the refurbishment and roofing of the standing areas between June 2008 and July 2009.
According to the club site, Union lovers"built their very own stadium," with over 2,300 volunteers supplying 140,000 hours of labour time, assisting the Berlin staff save countless dollars.
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Saturday's tribute was organized by a collection of fan groups, with images of the fans since the club anthem rang out raised before kick-off. Their tickets' costs have been paid for by fans.
But, Union's debut to the Bundesliga proved that a demanding one -- Leipzig hammered them 4-0.
Last year Union ended third in German football's second grade to make a playoff against VfB Stuttgart.
Union's subsequent success and promotion saw the team become the first from the fifth and East Berlin in the former East Germany to obtain passage to the Bundesliga.

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