Club culture

Werder Bremen supporters have a long-running friendship with Rot-Weiss Essen, who currently play in the Regionalliga West (4th tier). They have a long-standing rivalry (known as the Nordderby) with fellow northern club Hamburger SV, another major club in northern Germany, and other big clubs like Bayern Munich in particular. They have developed a recent, but intense dislike of Schalke 04 after the Gelsenkirchen side lured top players (including Ailton, Mladen Krstajić, Frank Rost, Oliver Reck (goalkeeping coach), and Fabian Ernst) with lucrative contracts to join them.

There are a few Ultra-Groups in Bremen: "Racaille Verte", "Wanderers-Bremen", "The Infamous Youth" and "Ultra-Team Bremen", they support the team in each match. The Ultras of Werder Bremen have a friendship with the Ultras of Udinese Calcio, Shamrock Rovers Ultras and the Ultras from Sturm Graz.

The side prides itself on being one of the few port cities in the Bundesliga – currently the only others are FC St. Pauli and Hamburger SV: the toot of a ship's whistle celebrates every Werder Bremen goal. This regional pride has its drawbacks, though, as opposing fans regularly taunt Werder Bremen fans as Fischköppe (fishheads), alluding to offensive smell and limited intelligence.

Finally, Werder Bremen is also known[by whom?] for its level-headed environment. In contrast to many other cities, where the local sides are often subject to intense media attention, players and trainers here are usually left in relative peace. Bremen's reputation is that of a sensible, respected and financially healthy club.