FEATURE | WHEN HENNING MET KEITH

Henning Wehn tells us about his love for football and friendship with the Southern League President

There was a familiar face amongst the large crowd that gathered at Winchester City’s Charters Community Stadium as they opened their new facilities for the first time for the Emirates FA Cup visit of Weymouth at the end of September.

Britain’s favourite German comedian, Henning Wehn, was in the City to perform at the Threatre Royal later that evening as part of his UK-wide tour and took the opportunity to take in a game, as well as catch up with an old friend.

Wehn, who is a regular on panel shows such as Have I Got News For You, Would I Lie To You?, Live At The Apollo and 8 Out Of Cats Does Countdown, is a massive football fan and first moved to the UK back in 2002 when he landed a job within the Marketing Department at Wycombe Wanderers.

It was there that he began a friendship with Southern League President, Keith Allen, who, at the time, was secretary of the Buckinghamshire club, and the pair have remained close ever since.

“Keith is a solid bloke,” Wehn told us. “Believe it or not, he has a great sense of humour, and it’s always nice to see him and his wife. He’s the type of person who makes things happen and he has such fantastic football knowledge.

“I really enjoyed my time working with him at Wycombe. Unfortunately, such is the nature of football that the CEO who brought me in to the club moved on and the one that came in to replace him starting bringing his own people in, so I eventually moved on, but I look back upon that time of my life with great fondness and Keith was a big part of it.

“I love football, always have. I think that we are all ground hoppers at heart and touring allows me to visit new grounds and watch football at different levels. I like discovering new grounds and really enjoyed my time at Winchester City the other week.

“It’s such a nice facility that they have there, something that can be used 24/7 and perfect for getting the local community involved.

“I was very impressed; the pitch played well and there was some good football from both teams. The home fans created a great atmosphere and it was clear how proud they were of the new facilities that they now have at their disposal.

“It’s just a pity that they couldn’t get the win that they were looking for to take them through to the next round – their Wembley plans will have to be put on hold for another year!”

Wehn has been passionate about football for most of his 50 years.

“I was born into a football-loving family,” he continued. “I’ve been into it since the age of five when I was taken along to my first Bundesliga game at VfL Bochum.

“I had a choice to make when it came to picking my team; it was either Borussia Dortmund and Schalke, I choose the latter and there’s not much I can do about it now!

“I always enjoyed playing football, and still do today in five-a-side’s, but my body doesn’t agree anymore! When I played 11-a-side I was a right-back, the type of player that could run all game, just not very fast!

“Watching football gives me great pleasure and when I’m not touring I try to get along to Hastings United as often as I can.”

Touring is going to play a big part in Wehn’s life as he has just embarked upon a UK-wide tour that runs until November 2025.

‘Acid Wehn’ provides an unbiased look at climate change, a topic which is sure to delight audiences because, as Wehn himself puts it, ‘Everyone loves talking about the weather!’

The tour has already earned rave reviews during it’s opening month and arrives at Exeter, Torquay and Bridport during October before moving on to Norwich and Leicester Square Theatre, London next month.

“There are three parts to touring; the writing, the performing and the travelling,” he added. “I thoroughly enjoy them all. It’s early days on the current tour so far, but the signs are very promising.

“The show has come together well; it will refine over time but I am very happy with the start and the initial reaction from the audiences.

“Travelling to new venues, meeting new people and bringing joy and happiness is what it’s all about… oh, and getting to tick new football grounds off my list too!”

Find out more about his tour here…