7,000 soccer fans turned up on May 16, 1954 , at University of Detroit Stadium in Detroit to watch Ulster United against Fortuna Düsseldorf. The exhibition match was sponsored by the local Sport Club 1924 as part of their 30 year anniversary.
Fortuna Düsseldorf played in the Oberliga West in Germany. Star of the German team was Kurt Borkenhagen who was said to have played more than 200 games for Fortuna. In 1952 he played for West Germany against France in an international match at Stade de Colombes in Paris. Goalkeeper Toni Turek played for West Germany in the 1954 World Cup final.
Centre forward Karl Gramminger scored two goals for Fortuna in the first half. Les Medley scored after 33 minutes for the Redhanders. The German team led 2-1 at half time. In the second half Les Medley scored another goal to settle the match to a 2-2 tie.
Probable line-ups:
Ulster United: George Anderson; J. Douglas, Jack Perrett; Fred Cameron, P. McKay, Archie McDowall; J. Jefferson, J. Harvey, Alf Davies, B. Campbell, Les Medley. Subs: H. Martin, J. Holmes, J. McLaughlin
Fortuna Düsseldorf: Toni Turek; Gerd Hoffmann, Kurt Borkenhagen; Willy Weyer, Hans Fandel, Matthias Mauritz; H. Mueller, E. Juskowiak, J. Dorwall, Karl Gramminger, M. Gramminger. Subs: H. Hohsdorf, P. Janes, R. Kern, J. Wimmer, J. Risse, H. Jaeger, H. Klose, K. Kreuger