In a sad turn of events, the passing of Karl-Heinz Vogt, often referred to as the "witch doctor," marked a unique individual for noteworthy occasions.
Remembering Karl-Heinz Vogt: The Hexer who Shone in Saarbrücken and Kaiserslautern
Karl-Heinz Vogt, fondly known as 'The Hexer', was a legendary footballer who graced the pitches of 1. FC Saarbrücken and 1. FC Kaiserslautern during his illustrious career. Born in Stetten, Swabia, in the final months of World War II, Vogt's family eventually moved to the Saarland, where his father found employment at the Karlsberg Brewery.
Vogt's professional journey began at FC 08 Homburg, where he scored an impressive 36 league goals at the age of 18. He then joined 1. FC Saarbrücken in the summer of 1965, and it was here that he initially made a name for himself, often finding himself among the top 10 scorers. Vogt's team, under the guidance of coach Gyula Lorant, promoted to the Bundesliga in the 1966/67 season after humiliating Kickers Offenbach 4:0 in the promotion round.
Vogt's most successful period, however, came when he moved to 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 1969. In the 1970/71 season, he scored an impressive 22 Bundesliga goals, earning him a place as vice-champion of the top scorers. His exceptional form saw him share the record for the most goals scored in a season by an FCK player with Klaus Toppmöller.
Vogt's nickname, 'The Hexer', gained national recognition after being picked up by the Bild newspaper. The moniker was given to him due to his ability to always find a solution in front of the goal. This talent was on full display in the final against Victoria Hamburg, where he scored all three goals, securing the German amateur championship for VfR Bürstadt.
After retiring from active football, Vogt returned to the Karlsberg Brewery, where he had originally trained as a machine builder. His connection to 1. FC Saarbrücken remained strong, and he met with the former players' round once a month. However, disagreements with his successor, Erich Ribbeck, led to his departure from 1. FC Kaiserslautern in 1974.
In 1975, Vogt joined VfR Bürstadt and won the German amateur championship. His six goals immediately after the winter break made him an exceptional figure. Despite not being active at any other professional club after his time at 1. FC Saarbrücken, there are no records of any other professional teams he played for within the sought-after time frame leading up to his retirement.
On May 15, 2025, at the age of 80, Karl-Heinz Vogt, the Hexer, passed away. His legacy will forever be remembered in the annals of German football.
