SpVgg Greuther Fürth
Encyclopedia
SpVgg Greuther Fürth is a German association football club
based in Fürth
, Bavaria
. The club was formed when the senior football side of newcomer Turn- und Sportverein Vestenbergsgreuth joined traditional club Spielvereinigung Fürth on 1 July 1996. SpVgg is an abbreviation of the German term "Spielvereinigung" – or "playing association" – a traditional used term for a team (German: Verein) or club engaged in sports other than gymnastics.
. They faced VfB Leipzig – the defending champions with three titles to their credit – in the final held on 31 May in Magdeburg
. A 154-minute-long thriller ended with Fürth scoring a golden goal
to secure the title. The team had a solid run of successes through the 1920s and into the early 1930s, beginning with an appearance in the national final in 1920 against Nuremberg, which was the dominant side of the decade. The rivalry between the two clubs was such that a star player with SpVgg was forced to leave after he married a Nuremberg girl. In 1924, for the first and only time, the German national side was made up exclusively of players from just two sides – Fürth and Nuremberg – and players of the two teams slept in separate rail coaches.
SpVgg showed regularly on the national stage, advancing to the semi-finals in 1923 and 1931. They claimed two more championships – in 1926 and 1929 – with both of those victories coming at the expense of Hertha BSC Berlin
. Through this period the club played five finals in the Süddeutscher Pokal (en:South German Cup), coming away as cup winners on four occasions. On 27 August 1929 the association was joined by FC Schneidig Fürth.
German football was re-organized in 1933 under the Third Reich into sixteen top flight Gauligen
. Fürth became part of the Gauliga Bayern
, but their success over the next dozen seasons was limited to a division title there in 1935, alongside regular appearances in competition for the Tschammerpokal, predecessor to today's DFB Pokal (en:German Cup).
(I) before slipping to the Landesliga Bayern
(II). SpVgg quickly recovered itself and returned to Oberliga play the next season. They won the title there in 1950 and went on to the national playoffs, advancing as far as the semifinals before being eliminated 1:4 by VfB Stuttgart
. In 1954, two players from the SpVgg, Karl Mai
and Herbert Erhardt
, were members of the "Miracle of Bern" team that won Germany's first World Cup
.
Fürth remained a first division side until the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963. The club did not qualify as one of the sixteen teams that made up the new unified national first division and they found themselves playing second division football in the Regionalliga Süd
, where they were generally a mid-table side whose best finish was third place result in 1967. The club played in the 2.Bundesliga from its inception in 1974 until 1983 with their best performance a fourth place result in 1978–79. They slipped to playing in the tier III Bayernliga, with a short three-year spell in the fourth division Landesliga Bayern-Mitte
in the late 1980s. In 1990, Fürth celebrated a 3:1 victory in the opening round of German Cup play over first division side Borussia Dortmund
before going out 0:1 to 1. FC Saarbrücken
in the second round. They returned to the Bayernliga (IV) in 1991 and the Regionalliga Süd (III) in 1994.
5:1, before being eliminated in the third round of the competition by VfL Wolfsburg
on penalty kicks.
in 2008–09.
, had three turns as coach of SpVgg Fürth in 1911–1913, 1926–1927, and 1930–1932 and led the club to two championships.
Football in Germany
Association football is the most popular sport in Germany. The German Football Association is the sport's national governing body, with 6.6 million members organized in over 26,000 football clubs. There is a league system, with the 1. and 2. Bundesliga on top, and the winner of the first...
based in Fürth
Fürth
The city of Fürth is located in northern Bavaria, Germany in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. It is now contiguous with the larger city of Nuremberg, the centres of the two cities being only 7 km apart....
, Bavaria
Bavaria
Bavaria, formally the Free State of Bavaria is a state of Germany, located in the southeast of Germany. With an area of , it is the largest state by area, forming almost 20% of the total land area of Germany...
. The club was formed when the senior football side of newcomer Turn- und Sportverein Vestenbergsgreuth joined traditional club Spielvereinigung Fürth on 1 July 1996. SpVgg is an abbreviation of the German term "Spielvereinigung" – or "playing association" – a traditional used term for a team (German: Verein) or club engaged in sports other than gymnastics.
Spielvereinigung Fürth
The origins of SpVgg Fürth are in the establishment on 23 September 1903 of a football department within the gymnastics club Turnverein 1860 Fürth. The footballers went their own way as an independent club in November 1906. The team played in the Ostkreisliga and took divisional titles there in 1912, 1913 and 1914 before moving on to participate in the Süddeutsche (en:South German) regional playoffs for the national championship round. Right from the beginning there was a great rivalry between the SpVgg Fürth and the 1. FC Nuremberg, predicated on the historical rivalry between the two neighbouring cities. The club grew rapidly, and by 1914, it had 3000 members and was the largest sports club in Germany.National champions
Fürth won their first national title in 1914 under English coach William TownleyWilliam Townley
William "Billy" Townley, , was an English football player and coach.He scored the first hat-trick in the history of the FA Cup final, but his lasting legacy is defined as an important pioneer of the game in Germany and as a journeyman coach on the continent.-Playing career:Townley's career as a...
. They faced VfB Leipzig – the defending champions with three titles to their credit – in the final held on 31 May in Magdeburg
Magdeburg
Magdeburg , is the largest city and the capital city of the Bundesland of Saxony-Anhalt, Germany. Magdeburg is situated on the Elbe River and was one of the most important medieval cities of Europe....
. A 154-minute-long thriller ended with Fürth scoring a golden goal
Golden goal
The golden goal is a method used in association football, field hockey, ice hockey and korfball to decide the winner of games in elimination matches which end in a draw after the end of regulation time. It is a type of sudden death. Golden goal rules allow the team that scores the first goal during...
to secure the title. The team had a solid run of successes through the 1920s and into the early 1930s, beginning with an appearance in the national final in 1920 against Nuremberg, which was the dominant side of the decade. The rivalry between the two clubs was such that a star player with SpVgg was forced to leave after he married a Nuremberg girl. In 1924, for the first and only time, the German national side was made up exclusively of players from just two sides – Fürth and Nuremberg – and players of the two teams slept in separate rail coaches.
SpVgg showed regularly on the national stage, advancing to the semi-finals in 1923 and 1931. They claimed two more championships – in 1926 and 1929 – with both of those victories coming at the expense of Hertha BSC Berlin
Hertha BSC Berlin
Hertha Berliner Sport-Club von 1892, commonly known as Hertha BSC or Hertha Berlin, is a German association football club based in Berlin. A founding member of the German Football Association in Leipzig in 1900, the club has a long history as Berlin's best-supported side...
. Through this period the club played five finals in the Süddeutscher Pokal (en:South German Cup), coming away as cup winners on four occasions. On 27 August 1929 the association was joined by FC Schneidig Fürth.
German football was re-organized in 1933 under the Third Reich into sixteen top flight Gauligen
Gauliga
A Gauliga was the highest level of play in German football from 1934-45. The leagues were introduced in 1933, after the Nazi takeover of power by the Sports office of the Third Reich.-Name:...
. Fürth became part of the Gauliga Bayern
Gauliga Bayern
The Gauliga Bayern was the highest football league in the German state of Bavaria from 1933 to 1945. Shortly after the formation of the league, the Nazis reorganised the administrative regions in Germany, and the five Gaue Bayreuth, Munich-Upper Bavaria, Swabia, Main Franconia and Franconia de...
, but their success over the next dozen seasons was limited to a division title there in 1935, alongside regular appearances in competition for the Tschammerpokal, predecessor to today's DFB Pokal (en:German Cup).
Postwar play
After the war the team struggled through three seasons in the Oberliga SüdOberliga Süd (1945-63)
The Oberliga Süd was the highest level of the German football league system in the south of Germany from 1945 until the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963.It covered the three states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hessen.-Overview:...
(I) before slipping to the Landesliga Bayern
Landesliga Bayern
In the Bavarian football league system, the Landesliga Bayern is the second hightest level, below the Fußball-Bayernliga and organised in three regional divisions. The current Landesligas were formed in 1963, when the Fußball-Bundesliga was established...
(II). SpVgg quickly recovered itself and returned to Oberliga play the next season. They won the title there in 1950 and went on to the national playoffs, advancing as far as the semifinals before being eliminated 1:4 by VfB Stuttgart
VfB Stuttgart
Verein für Bewegungsspiele Stuttgart 1893 e. V., commonly known as VfB Stuttgart, is a German sports club based in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg. The club is best known for its football team, which has participated in all but two Bundesliga seasons...
. In 1954, two players from the SpVgg, Karl Mai
Karl Mai
Karl Mai was a German footballer. He was born in Fürth.He was part of the West German team that won the 1954 FIFA World Cup. In total he earned 21 caps and scored one goal for West Germany...
and Herbert Erhardt
Herbert Erhardt
Herbert 'Ertl' Erhard , also known as Herbert Erhardt, was a German footballer. As a central defender, he played for SpVgg Fürth and Bayern Munich. He was known for his hard tackling, doggedness and captain like performances...
, were members of the "Miracle of Bern" team that won Germany's first World Cup
1954 FIFA World Cup
The 1954 FIFA World Cup, the fifth staging of the FIFA World Cup, was held in Switzerland from 16 June to 4 July. Switzerland was chosen as hosts in July 1946. The tournament set a number of all-time records for goal-scoring, including the highest average goals scored per game...
.
Fürth remained a first division side until the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963. The club did not qualify as one of the sixteen teams that made up the new unified national first division and they found themselves playing second division football in the Regionalliga Süd
Regionalliga Süd (1963-74)
The Regionalliga Süd was the second-highest level of the German football league system. It existed in the south of Germany from 1963 until the formation of the 2nd Bundesliga in 1974. It covered the three states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hessen....
, where they were generally a mid-table side whose best finish was third place result in 1967. The club played in the 2.Bundesliga from its inception in 1974 until 1983 with their best performance a fourth place result in 1978–79. They slipped to playing in the tier III Bayernliga, with a short three-year spell in the fourth division Landesliga Bayern-Mitte
Landesliga Bayern-Mitte
The Landesliga Bayern-Mitte is currently the 6th tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga it was the 5th tier of the league system....
in the late 1980s. In 1990, Fürth celebrated a 3:1 victory in the opening round of German Cup play over first division side Borussia Dortmund
Borussia Dortmund
Ballspielverein Borussia Dortmund, commonly BVB, are a German sports club based in Dortmund, North Rhine-Westphalia. Dortmund are one of the most successful clubs in German football history. Borussia Dortmund play in the Bundesliga, the top league of German football...
before going out 0:1 to 1. FC Saarbrücken
1. FC Saarbrücken
1. FC Saarbrücken is a German association football club based in the city of Saarbrücken, Saarland. The club began its existence as the football department of Turnverein Malstatt formed in 1903...
in the second round. They returned to the Bayernliga (IV) in 1991 and the Regionalliga Süd (III) in 1994.
TSV Vestenbergsgreuth
Meanwhile, the small village team of TSV Vestenbergsgreuth was established 1 February 1974 and debuted as a fourth division side. They advanced into the Amateur Oberliga Bayern (III) in 1987, just as SpVgg Fürth was descendingb to play in the division the more junior club had just escaped. TSV took part in the national amateur playoff round in 1988 and 1995. Their best performance came in the 1995 DFB Pokal (en:German Cup) when they upset Bayern Munich 1:0, and then beat FC HomburgFC Homburg
FC 08 Homburg is a German association football club based in Homburg, Saarland. The club was founded on 15 June 1908 as Fussball Club Homburg by a group of seventeen young men at the local Hohenburg pub.- History :...
5:1, before being eliminated in the third round of the competition by VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg
VfL Wolfsburg is a professional German association football club based in Wolfsburg, Lower Saxony, who play in the Bundesliga football competition. Wolfsburg have won the Bundesliga once in their history, in the 2008–09 season, and were DFB-Pokal runners-up in 1995. The current head coach is Felix...
on penalty kicks.
SpVgg Greuther Fürth
At the time of their merger in 1996, in which TSVs football players came over to Fürth, both clubs were playing at about the same level in Regionalliga Süd (III). The new club was runner-up behind long term rival 1. FC Nuremberg in the division the next year, and so earned promotion to the 2.Bundesliga, where they have consistently finished in the top half of the eighteen team table. Fürth has come close to renewing its ancient rivallry with Nuremberg at the Bundesliga level, narrowly missing promotion in each of the last two seasons.SpVgg Greuther Fürth II
Fürth also fields a strong reserve side which has played in the Oberliga Bayern (IV) since the 2001–02 season and finished second there in 2006–07. A second place in 2007–08 meant the team was qualified to play in the Regionalliga SüdRegionalliga Süd
The Regionalliga Süd is currently the fourth tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008, it was the third tier. It currently is the highest regional league for the southern part of Germany...
in 2008–09.
Rivals
The 1. FC Nuremberg is by far the SpVgg's biggest rival, going back to the early days of German football when, at times, those two clubs dominated the national championship. Both clubs played together in the 2nd Bundesliga in 2008–09.League
- German championship
- Champions: (3) 1914, 1926, 1929
- Southern German championship
- Champions: (3) 1914, 1923, 1931
- Runners-up: (5) 1917, 1924, 1926, 1927, 1930
- Ostkreis-Liga (I)
- Champions: (4) 1912, 1913, 1914, 1917
- Kreisliga Nordbayern (I)
- Champions: (2) 1922, 1923
- Runners-up: (2) 1920, 1921
- Bezirksliga BayernBezirksliga BayernThe Bezirksliga Bayern was the highest association football league in the German state of Bavaria from 1923 to 1933. The league was disbanded with the rise of the Nazis to power in 1933.-Overview:...
(I)- Runners-up: (2) 1924, 1925
- Bezirksliga Nordbayern (I)
- Champions: (3) 1928, 1930, 1931
- Runners-up: (3) 1929, 1932, 1933
- Gauliga BayernGauliga BayernThe Gauliga Bayern was the highest football league in the German state of Bavaria from 1933 to 1945. Shortly after the formation of the league, the Nazis reorganised the administrative regions in Germany, and the five Gaue Bayreuth, Munich-Upper Bavaria, Swabia, Main Franconia and Franconia de...
(I)- Champions: 1935
- Runners-up: (2) 1936, 1942
- Oberliga SüdOberliga Süd (1945-63)The Oberliga Süd was the highest level of the German football league system in the south of Germany from 1945 until the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963.It covered the three states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hessen.-Overview:...
(I)- Champions: 1950
- Runners-up: 1951
- Bayernliga (III)
- Runners-up: (2) 1949, 1993
- Landesliga Bayern-MitteLandesliga Bayern-MitteThe Landesliga Bayern-Mitte is currently the 6th tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga it was the 5th tier of the league system....
(IV)- Champions: 1991
- Runners-up: 1989
Cup
- Intertoto Cup
- Winner: 1969
- German Indoor Cup
- Winner: 2000
- Southern German Cup
- Winner: (5) 1918, 1923, 1925, 1926, 1927 (record)
- Mittelfranken CupMittelfranken CupThe Mittelfranken Cup was a domestic cup competition for the Bavarian Bezirk of Middle Franconia , played until 2009.-Modus:...
- Winner: (4) 1990, 1991, 1996, 1997
- Runners-up: 1989
League
- Bavarian Under 19 championship
- Champions: 2003
- Runners-up: (2) 1949, 1998
- Bavarian Under 17 championship
- Champions: (2) 2001, 2008
- Runners-up: (2) 1997, 2006
- Bavarian Under 15 championshipBavarian Under 15 championshipThe Under 15 Fußball-Bayernliga is the highest level of competition for under 15 football teams in Bavaria and the second tier of the Southern German league system, set below the Under 15 Regionalliga South.-History:...
- Champions: 2004
Recent managers
The clubs managers since returning to the 2nd Bundesliga in 1997 were:| Manager | Start | Finish |
| Armin Veh Armin Veh Armin Veh is a German former footballer and current manager who works for Eintracht Frankfurt. He won the German championship with Bundesliga team VfB Stuttgart on 19 May 2007. Veh and his team also had the chance to win "the double" by winning the DFB-Cup on 26 May 2007 in Berlin, but lost 2–3 in... |
1 July 1996 | 30 June 1997 |
| Benno Möhlmann | 15 October 1997 | 21 October 2000 |
| Paul Hesselbach | 22 October 2000 | 19 November 2000 |
| Uwe Erkenbrecher | 20 November 2000 | 30 August 2001 |
| Paul Hesselbach | 1 September 2001 | 29 October 2001 |
| Eugen Hach | 30 October 2001 | 5 November 2003 |
| Werner Dreßel | 6 November 2003 | 29 December 2003 |
| Thomas Kost | 30 December 2003 | 16 February 2004 |
| Benno Möhlmann | 17 February 2004 | 30 June 2006 |
| Bruno Labbadia Bruno Labbadia Bruno Labbadia is a former German footballer of Italian heritage who is now head coach of German Bundesliga club VfB Stuttgart.- Club career :... |
1 July 2007 | 30 June 2008 |
| Benno Möhlmann Benno Möhlmann Benno Hans Möhlmann is a former German footballer who most recently managed FC Ingolstadt 04.- Career :... |
1 July 2008 | 20 December 2009 |
| Mike Büskens Mike Buskens Michael 'Mike' Büskens is a former German footballer who played as a midfielder, and the current manager of SpVgg Greuther Fürth.... |
27 December 2009 | present |
SpVgg Greuther Fürth
| Season | Division | Tier Bavarian football league system The Bavarian football league system of the Bavarian Football Association ranks within the German football league system. Its highest division, the Fussball-Bayernliga, is currently the 5th tier of German football. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008 it was the 4th tier of the league system... |
Position |
| 1999–00 | 2nd Bundesliga | II | 7th |
| 2000–01 | 2nd Bundesliga | 5th | |
| 2001–02 | 2nd Bundesliga | 5th | |
| 2002–03 | 2nd Bundesliga | 5th | |
| 2003–04 | 2nd Bundesliga | 9th | |
| 2004–05 | 2nd Bundesliga | 5th | |
| 2005–06 | 2nd Bundesliga | 5th | |
| 2006–07 | 2nd Bundesliga | 5th | |
| 2007–08 | 2nd Bundesliga | 6th | |
| 2008–09 | 2nd Bundesliga | 5th | |
| 2009–10 | 2nd Bundesliga | 11th | |
| 2010–11 | 2nd Bundesliga | 4th | |
| 2011–12 | 2nd Bundesliga |
SpVgg Greuther Fürth II
| Season | Division | Tier Bavarian football league system The Bavarian football league system of the Bavarian Football Association ranks within the German football league system. Its highest division, the Fussball-Bayernliga, is currently the 5th tier of German football. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008 it was the 4th tier of the league system... |
Position |
| 1999–00 | Bezirksoberliga Mittelfranken Bezirksoberliga Mittelfranken The Bezirksoberliga Mittelfranken is currently the 7th tier of the German football league system in the Bavarian Regierungsbezirk of Middle Franconia... |
VI | 1st ↑ |
| 2000–01 | Landesliga Bayern-Mitte Landesliga Bayern-Mitte The Landesliga Bayern-Mitte is currently the 6th tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga it was the 5th tier of the league system.... |
V | 1st ↑ |
| 2001–02 | Oberliga Bayern Oberliga Bayern The Fußball-Bayernliga, commonly referred to as the Bayernliga, is the highest football league in the state of Bavaria and the Bavarian Football League System. It is one of eleven Oberligas in German football, the fifth tier of the German football league system... |
IV | 5th |
| 2002–03 | Oberliga Bayern | 9th | |
| 2003–04 | Oberliga Bayern | 4th | |
| 2004–05 | Oberliga Bayern | 12th | |
| 2005–06 | Oberliga Bayern | 4th | |
| 2006–07 | Oberliga Bayern | 2nd | |
| 2007–08 | Oberliga Bayern | 2nd ↑ | |
| 2008–09 | Regionalliga Süd Regionalliga Süd The Regionalliga Süd is currently the fourth tier of the German football league system. Until the introduction of the 3rd Liga in 2008, it was the third tier. It currently is the highest regional league for the southern part of Germany... |
IV | 11th |
| 2009–10 | Regionalliga Süd | 11th | |
| 2010-11 | Regionalliga Süd | 4th | |
| 2011–12 | Regionalliga Süd |
- With the introduction of the BezirksoberligasBezirksoberligen BayernThe seven Bezirksoberligas Bayern are the third highest level of the Bavarian football league system, below Oberliga and Landesliga. They are the 7th tier of the German football league system.-Overview:...
in 1988 as the new fifth tier, below the LandesligasLandesliga BayernIn the Bavarian football league system, the Landesliga Bayern is the second hightest level, below the Fußball-Bayernliga and organised in three regional divisions. The current Landesligas were formed in 1963, when the Fußball-Bundesliga was established...
, all leagues below dropped one tier. With the introduction of the Regionalligas in 1994 and the 3rd Liga3rd LigaThe 3rd Liga is the third division of football in Germany. The league started with the beginning of the 2008–09 season, when it replaced the Regionalliga as the third tier football league in Germany. In the German football league system, it is positioned between the 2...
in 2008 as the new third tier, below the 2nd Bundesliga2. Fußball-Bundesliga- Changes in division set-up :* Number of clubs: currently 18. From 1974 to 1981 there were two conferences, each of 20 teams. In 1981–91 it had 20...
, all leagues below dropped one tier.
Current squad
Notable former players
- Karl MaiKarl MaiKarl Mai was a German footballer. He was born in Fürth.He was part of the West German team that won the 1954 FIFA World Cup. In total he earned 21 caps and scored one goal for West Germany...
, earned 21 caps for Germany and played in the 1954 World Cup - Herbert ErhardtHerbert ErhardtHerbert 'Ertl' Erhard , also known as Herbert Erhardt, was a German footballer. As a central defender, he played for SpVgg Fürth and Bayern Munich. He was known for his hard tackling, doggedness and captain like performances...
earned 50 caps for Germany and played in the World Cups 1954, 1958 and 1962 - Julius HirschJulius HirschJulius Hirsch was a German international footballer who was killed during the Holocaust. He helped Karlsruher FV to win the 1910 German championship....
, member of 1914 national title team and international player, killed during holocaust - Heiko WestermannHeiko WestermannHeiko Westermann is a German footballer who plays as defender for Hamburger SV and the German national team. Westermann is known for his good all-round abilities and goal scoring...
, German international player - Roberto HilbertRoberto HilbertRoberto Hilbert is a German footballer who plays for Turkish Süper Lig club Beşiktaş J.K.-Club career:In his youth, Hilbert played for SpVgg Jahn Forchheim, 1. FC Nuremberg and SpVgg Greuther Fürth. In 2002, he was transferred to Bayernliga side 1. SC Feucht, where he was one of the key players...
, German international player - Rachid AzzouziRachid AzzouziRachid Azzouzi is a Moroccan footballer.He played for several clubs, including MSV Duisburg, Fortuna Köln and Greuther Fürth, all in Germany....
, played for Morocco in the World Cups 1994 and 1998
Famous coaches
William TownleyWilliam Townley
William "Billy" Townley, , was an English football player and coach.He scored the first hat-trick in the history of the FA Cup final, but his lasting legacy is defined as an important pioneer of the game in Germany and as a journeyman coach on the continent.-Playing career:Townley's career as a...
, had three turns as coach of SpVgg Fürth in 1911–1913, 1926–1927, and 1930–1932 and led the club to two championships.