1. FC Union Berlin
Encyclopedia
1. FC Union Berlin is a German association football club
based in Berlin
. It is one of two sides in the city bearing the name Union that emerged during the Cold War
and played in East Germany, while the other played in the west. The club currently plays in the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
.
.
Early on the team was nicknamed "Schlosserjungs" (engl: metalworker-boys or locksmith-boys), because of their then all blue kit, reminiscent of the typical work clothing worn in the factories of the industrial Oberschöneweide district. The popular cry of Union-supporters – "Eisern Union!" (Iron Union) – also emerged at this time. Since its foundation the club had a clearly working-class image in contrast to other local clubs with middle-class origins, such as Viktoria 89 Berlin
, Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin, BSV 92 Berlin or Tennis Borussia Berlin
.
In 1933, German football was reorganized under the Third Reich into 16 top flight divisions known as Gauligen. Oberschöneweide became part of the Gauliga Berlin-Brandenburg
where they generally earned middling results. They were relegated in 1935 and returned to first division play in 1936 after only one season's absence. In 1940, the team finished first in Group B of the division and then defeated Blau-Weiss (1–2, 3–0) to win the overall division title. That advanced the club to the national playoffs where they were put out by Rapid Wien in the opening group round (2–3, 1–3). Union resumed its place as an unremarkable side. They were relegated again in 1942 and played the final war-shortened Gauliga season in 1944–45.
After World War II, occupying Allied authorities ordered the dissolution of all organizations in Germany, including sports and football associations. A new Municipal Sports Group called SG Oberschöneweide was formed in late 1945 and it played in the City League organized immediately after the war which had four regional departments. The team did not qualify to the newly created Oberliga Berlin (I) in 1946 after a poor season, but was promoted in 1947, won the division title right away and regained club status as SG Union 06 Oberschöneweide during 1948–49.
The club finished the 1949–50 season in second place in Berlin and qualified to take part in the national final rounds. However, escalating Cold War tensions led Soviet authorities to refuse the team permission to travel to take part. Two Union teams then emerged as most players and coaches fled to the west to form Sport-Club Union 06 Berlin which took part in the scheduled playoff match in Kiel
against Hamburger SV
, losing 0:7.
The players remaining in the east carried on as Union Oberschöneweide while a number of players who had fled to the west to form SC organized a third side called Berliner Ballspiel-Club Südost. The western team was a strong side until the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, drawing huge crowds to matches in the Olympiastadion. The division of the city led to a change of fortunes for the club which plays today in the lower divisions before meager crowds.
1. FC Union Berlin in 1966. They developed a bitter rivalry with Stasi
-sponsored Dynamo Berlin
. While their arch rivals won 10 titles in a row in highly dubious circumstances, Union yo-yoed between the Oberliga and the DDR-Liga with very little success, largely due to the East German's government policy of favouring 'elite' clubs at the expense of 'civilian' clubs like Union. Union managed to win the East German Cup
in 1968 when they defeated FC Carl Zeiss Jena
2:1 although they lost in their second cup appearance in 1986 to 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig by a score of 1:5.
in 1990, the team continued to perform well on the field, but almost collapsed financially. They managed to hang on through some tight times and find sponsorship, but only after winning their division in both 1993 and 1994 and each time being denied a license to play in the 2. Bundesliga due to their financial problems. The club had another close brush with financial failure in 1997.
Union again came close to advancing to 2.Bundesliga in 1998–99 and 1999–2000, but were disappointed. They were finally successful in 2000–01, under Bulgaria
n manager Georgi Vasilev
, easily winning the Regionalliga Nord (III) and moving up a division to become the city's most popular side after the Bundesliga's Hertha BSC Berlin
. That same year they appeared in the final of the German Cup where they lost 0–2 to FC Schalke 04
, and advanced as far as the second round in UEFA Cup before being put out by Bulgarian side PFC Litex Lovech
. The club slipped to the Regionalliga Nord
(III) in 2004–05 and then to the NOFV-Oberliga Nord
(IV) in 2005–06, but has returned to third division play after capturing the Oberliga title. In 2008–09, Union became one of the founding clubs of the new 3rd Liga
, and its inaugural champion, securing first place and promotion to the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
on 10 May.
in former GDR times. While Dynamo was affiliated with East Germany's Secret Service Stasi
, Union Berlin was patronized by Eastern German Trade Union FDGB. This circumstance led them into an unofficial opposition against the socialist system and in Union's Stadion An der Alten Försterei
the fans often were singing veiled chants against the political authorities.
In August 2009, Union Berlin severed a sponsorship deal with International Sport Promotion because it was revealed that the company's chairman, Jürgen Czilinsky, was a former Stasi
agent.
. An eponymous song by veteran German rock band the Puhdys
doesn't enjoy great popularity, as this band also composed songs for Hansa Rostock and Berlin's ice hockey team Eisbären Berlin
, which once was a department of Union's main rival Dynamo.
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 Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
. It is one of two sides in the city bearing the name Union that emerged during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
and played in East Germany, while the other played in the west. The club currently plays in the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
2. 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...
.
Foundation to WWII
The name 1. FC Union Berlin was used by two football clubs that shared a common origin as SC Olympia 06 Oberschöneweide, founded in 1906 in the Oberschöneweide district of Berlin. The side took on the name SC Union 06 Oberschöneweide in 1910. Union was one of Berlin's premier clubs in the interwar period, regularly winning local championships and competing at the national level, including an appearance in the 1923 German championship final which they lost 0–3 to Hamburger SVHamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
.
Early on the team was nicknamed "Schlosserjungs" (engl: metalworker-boys or locksmith-boys), because of their then all blue kit, reminiscent of the typical work clothing worn in the factories of the industrial Oberschöneweide district. The popular cry of Union-supporters – "Eisern Union!" (Iron Union) – also emerged at this time. Since its foundation the club had a clearly working-class image in contrast to other local clubs with middle-class origins, such as Viktoria 89 Berlin
Viktoria 89 Berlin
Berliner Fußball-Club Viktoria 1889 is a German sports club based in the Tempelhof district of Berlin. Football, rugby, and cricket came to continental Europe in the late 19th century, and these "English games" became immediately popular in many countries. Viktoria is the oldest club in Germany...
, Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin, BSV 92 Berlin or Tennis Borussia Berlin
Tennis Borussia Berlin
Tennis Borussia Berlin is a German football club based in Berlin-Westend.- History :The team was founded in 1902 and takes its name from its origins as a tennis and ping-pong club. "Borussia" is a Latinised version of Prussia. In 1903 the club took up football and quickly developed a rivalry with...
.
In 1933, German football was reorganized under the Third Reich into 16 top flight divisions known as Gauligen. Oberschöneweide became part of the Gauliga Berlin-Brandenburg
Gauliga Berlin-Brandenburg
The Gauliga Berlin-Brandenburg was the highest football league in the provinces of Brandenburg and Berlin in the German state of Prussia from 1933 to 1945...
where they generally earned middling results. They were relegated in 1935 and returned to first division play in 1936 after only one season's absence. In 1940, the team finished first in Group B of the division and then defeated Blau-Weiss (1–2, 3–0) to win the overall division title. That advanced the club to the national playoffs where they were put out by Rapid Wien in the opening group round (2–3, 1–3). Union resumed its place as an unremarkable side. They were relegated again in 1942 and played the final war-shortened Gauliga season in 1944–45.
Post war split
The club finished the 1949–50 season in second place in Berlin and qualified to take part in the national final rounds. However, escalating Cold War tensions led Soviet authorities to refuse the team permission to travel to take part. Two Union teams then emerged as most players and coaches fled to the west to form Sport-Club Union 06 Berlin which took part in the scheduled playoff match in Kiel
Kiel
Kiel is the capital and most populous city in the northern German state of Schleswig-Holstein, with a population of 238,049 .Kiel is approximately north of Hamburg. Due to its geographic location in the north of Germany, the southeast of the Jutland peninsula, and the southwestern shore of the...
against Hamburger SV
Hamburger SV
Hamburger Sport-Verein, usually referred to as HSV in Germany and Hamburg in international parlance, is a German multi-sport club based in Hamburg, its largest branch being its football department...
, losing 0:7.
The players remaining in the east carried on as Union Oberschöneweide while a number of players who had fled to the west to form SC organized a third side called Berliner Ballspiel-Club Südost. The western team was a strong side until the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961, drawing huge crowds to matches in the Olympiastadion. The division of the city led to a change of fortunes for the club which plays today in the lower divisions before meager crowds.
Union in the east
The eastern branch of the club went through a number of name changes: Union Oberschöneweide (1950), BSG Motor Oberschöneweide (1951), SC Motor Berlin (1955), TSC Oberschöneweide (1957), TSC Berlin (1963) – finally becoming the football clubFootball club (GDR)
Football club was a designation for the elite football teams in the GDR . They were formed in the mid-1960s as centers of high-level football....
1. FC Union Berlin in 1966. They developed a bitter rivalry with Stasi
Stasi
The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security (German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (MfS), commonly known as the Stasi (abbreviation , literally State Security), was the official state security service of East Germany. The MfS was headquartered...
-sponsored Dynamo Berlin
Berliner FC Dynamo
Berliner FC Dynamo is a German association football club and is the successor organization to the club that played in East Berlin as Dynamo Berlin from 1953 to 1966.-Founding and Stasi patronage:...
. While their arch rivals won 10 titles in a row in highly dubious circumstances, Union yo-yoed between the Oberliga and the DDR-Liga with very little success, largely due to the East German's government policy of favouring 'elite' clubs at the expense of 'civilian' clubs like Union. Union managed to win the East German Cup
FDGB Pokal
The FDGB-Pokal was an elimination football tournament held annually in the former East Germany. It was the second most important national title in East German football after the DDR-Oberliga championship...
in 1968 when they defeated FC Carl Zeiss Jena
FC Carl Zeiss Jena
FC Carl Zeiss Jena is a German association football club based in Jena, Thuringia.-History:The club was founded in May 1903 by workers at the Carl Zeiss AG optics factory as the company-sponsored Fussball-Club der Firma Carl Zeiss. The club underwent name changes in 1911 to Fussball Club Carl Zeiss...
2:1 although they lost in their second cup appearance in 1986 to 1. FC Lokomotive Leipzig by a score of 1:5.
Reunification to present
After German reunificationGerman reunification
German reunification was the process in 1990 in which the German Democratic Republic joined the Federal Republic of Germany , and when Berlin reunited into a single city, as provided by its then Grundgesetz constitution Article 23. The start of this process is commonly referred by Germans as die...
in 1990, the team continued to perform well on the field, but almost collapsed financially. They managed to hang on through some tight times and find sponsorship, but only after winning their division in both 1993 and 1994 and each time being denied a license to play in the 2. Bundesliga due to their financial problems. The club had another close brush with financial failure in 1997.
Union again came close to advancing to 2.Bundesliga in 1998–99 and 1999–2000, but were disappointed. They were finally successful in 2000–01, under Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n manager Georgi Vasilev
Georgi Vasilev (born 1946)
Georgi Vasilev , nicknamed Gocheto and Generala, is a former Bulgarian footballer who played as a midfielder, and a current football manager...
, easily winning the Regionalliga Nord (III) and moving up a division to become the city's most popular side after the Bundesliga's 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...
. That same year they appeared in the final of the German Cup where they lost 0–2 to FC Schalke 04
FC Schalke 04
Fußball-Club Gelsenkirchen-Schalke 04, commonly known as simply FC Schalke 04 or Schalke , is a German, association-football club originally from the Schalke district of Gelsenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. Schalke has long been one of the most popular football teams in Germany, even though major...
, and advanced as far as the second round in UEFA Cup before being put out by Bulgarian side PFC Litex Lovech
PFC Litex Lovech
PFC Litex Lovech or simply Litex is a Bulgarian football club from the town of Lovech, which currently competes in the Bulgarian A Professional Football Group, the top division of Bulgarian football...
. The club slipped to the Regionalliga Nord
Regionalliga Nord
The Regionalliga Nord 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 northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany...
(III) in 2004–05 and then to the NOFV-Oberliga Nord
NOFV-Oberliga Nord
The NOFV-Oberliga Nord is the fifth tier of the German football league system in the northern states of former East Germany and West-Berlin. Until the introduction of the 3. Liga in 2008, it was the fourth tier of the league system. It covers the German states of Berlin, Brandenburg and...
(IV) in 2005–06, but has returned to third division play after capturing the Oberliga title. In 2008–09, Union became one of the founding clubs of the new 3rd Liga
3rd Liga
The 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...
, and its inaugural champion, securing first place and promotion to the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga
2. 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...
on 10 May.
Recent seasons
| Year | Division | Position | Points | Goal difference | Top goalscorers |
| 1994–95 | Regionalliga Nordost Regionalliga Nordost The Regionalliga Nordost was the third tier of the German football league system in the states of former East Germany and West-Berlin from 1994 to 2000. As such, it was almost identical in territorial cover to the old DDR-Oberliga.... (III) |
3rd | 47:21 | +39 |  Goran MarkovGoran Markov Goran Markov is a Macedonian football coach and a former player. As of January 2009, he manages the third team of Hertha BSC. He also holds German citizenship.-External links:* at transfermarkt.de... 20,  Sergej BarbarezSergej Barbarez Sergej Barbarez is a former football attacking midfielder from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga from 2006 to 2008. He finished his career after the season 2007–08... 14,  Thorsten BoerThorsten Boer Thorsten Boer is a German football manager and former player.Boer made a total of 85 2. Fußball-Bundesliga appearances in the early 1990s for Chemnitzer FC and Tennis Borussia Berlin.- References :... 9, Dirk Rehbein 6, Thoralf Bennert 5 |
| 1995–96 | Regionalliga Nordost Regionalliga Nordost The Regionalliga Nordost was the third tier of the German football league system in the states of former East Germany and West-Berlin from 1994 to 2000. As such, it was almost identical in territorial cover to the old DDR-Oberliga.... (III) |
2nd | 72 | +49 | Sergej Barbarez Sergej Barbarez Sergej Barbarez is a former football attacking midfielder from Bosnia and Herzegovina. He played for Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga from 2006 to 2008. He finished his career after the season 2007–08... 17,  Jacek Frąckiewicz 16, Marek Czakon 12, Jens HärtelJens Härtel -External links:... 6, Thorsten BoerThorsten Boer Thorsten Boer is a German football manager and former player.Boer made a total of 85 2. Fußball-Bundesliga appearances in the early 1990s for Chemnitzer FC and Tennis Borussia Berlin.- References :... 6 |
| 1996–97 | Regionalliga Nordost Regionalliga Nordost The Regionalliga Nordost was the third tier of the German football league system in the states of former East Germany and West-Berlin from 1994 to 2000. As such, it was almost identical in territorial cover to the old DDR-Oberliga.... (III) |
5th | 62 | +14 | Norman Struck 10, Marco Küntzel Marco Küntzel Marco Küntzel is a German football striker, who plays for TSG Thannhausen.-Clubs:*1993-1995 : Hansa Rostock*1995-1998 : 1... 7, Gerald KlewsGerald Klews Gerald Klews is a German former footballer. He began his career at youth level with various clubs in West Berlin, before joining Hamburger SV, where he played for the reserve team. He returned to Berlin in 1992, joining Hertha BSC, where he made 57 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga over three... 6, Thorsten BoerThorsten Boer Thorsten Boer is a German football manager and former player.Boer made a total of 85 2. Fußball-Bundesliga appearances in the early 1990s for Chemnitzer FC and Tennis Borussia Berlin.- References :... 6, Marko RehmerMarko Rehmer Marko Rehmer is a retired German footballer, who played mainly as a central defender.-Club career:In his youth Rehmer played for hometown 1. FC Union Berlin; he arrived in the first division at almost 25, joining former East Germany's F.C. Hansa Rostock during the 1997 winter transfer window... 5 |
| 1997–98 | Regionalliga Nordost Regionalliga Nordost The Regionalliga Nordost was the third tier of the German football league system in the states of former East Germany and West-Berlin from 1994 to 2000. As such, it was almost identical in territorial cover to the old DDR-Oberliga.... (III) |
6th | 54 | +10 | Nico Patschinski Nico Patschinski Nico Patschinski is a German footballer currently playing for Borussia Neunkirchen.- 1980–1994: Youth and rise with Union :... 9, Ronny Jank 6 |
| 1998–99 1998–99 Fußball-Regionalliga The Fußball-Regionalliga 1998–99 was the fifth season played in the Fußball-Regionalliga as the third tier of German football.As in the previous season, the competition was organized in four divisions: Nord, Nordost, West/Südwest and Süd... |
Regionalliga Nordost Regionalliga Nordost The Regionalliga Nordost was the third tier of the German football league system in the states of former East Germany and West-Berlin from 1994 to 2000. As such, it was almost identical in territorial cover to the old DDR-Oberliga.... (III) |
6th | 57 | +30 | Steffen Menze Steffen Menze Steffen Menze is a German football coach and a former player who is now sporting director of SG Dynamo Dresden.-External links:... 14, Peter Közle 7, Michael Oelkuch 7, Jens HärtelJens Härtel -External links:... 6, Vanko Micevski 6 |
| 1999–00 1999–2000 Fußball-Regionalliga The Fußball-Regionalliga 1999–2000 was the sixth season of the Fußball-Regionalliga as the third tier of German football. It was also the last season to be competed in four divisions... |
Regionalliga Nordost Regionalliga Nordost The Regionalliga Nordost was the third tier of the German football league system in the states of former East Germany and West-Berlin from 1994 to 2000. As such, it was almost identical in territorial cover to the old DDR-Oberliga.... (III) |
1st | 77 | +30 | Steffen Menze Steffen Menze Steffen Menze is a German football coach and a former player who is now sporting director of SG Dynamo Dresden.-External links:... 13, Jens HärtelJens Härtel -External links:... 8,  Ivaylo AndonovIvaylo Andonov Ivaylo Viktorov Andonov is a former Bulgarian footballer, who played as a striker.-Football career:After beginning professionally with hometown's PFC Pirin Blagoevgrad, Andonov made a name for himself at CSKA Sofia, constantly being one of the first division topscorers, while also being... 7, Hristo KoilovHristo Koilov Hristo Dimitrov Koilov is a former Bulgarian footballer. He played his last match in his career on 13 June 2009 with Lokomotiv Sofia against Slavia Sofia.-Career:... 5 |
| 2000–01 | Regionalliga Nord Regionalliga Nord The Regionalliga Nord 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 northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany... (III) |
1st  |
73 | +39 |  Daniel TeixeiraDaniel Teixeira Daniel Teixeira is a Brazilian former footballer.-External links:... 18,  Harun IsaHarun Isa Harun Isa is a former Albanian football player.- Club career :... 13, Ronny NikolRonny Nikol Ronny Nikol is a German footballer who currently plays as a left wing-back for Berliner AK.-Honours:*Regionalliga Süd : 1997*Regionalliga Nord : 2001, 2006*DFB Pokal: Runner-up: 2001-Notes:... 5 |
| 2001–02 | 2. Bundesliga 2. 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... (II) |
6th | 56 | +20 |  Sreto RistićSreto Ristic Sreto Ristić is a German footballer of Serbian descent.He moved to Germany at young age and has spent almost all his football career in Germany.-External links:... 14, Kostadin VidolovKostadin Vidolov Kostadin Vidolov is a Bulgarian former footballer. In his career he played for Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Botev Plovdiv, CSKA Sofia, Levski Sofia, Beroe Stara Zagora, German 1. FC Union Berlin and Turkish Bursaspor. For Bulgaria national football team, Vidolov was capped 9 times, scoring one goal... 10, Harun IsaHarun Isa Harun Isa is a former Albanian football player.- Club career :... 9,  Cristian FiélCristian Fiel Cristian Fiél is a German-Spanish football midfielder who plays for Dynamo Dresden.- Career :... 7, Petar DivićPetar Divić Petar Divić is a Serbian international football player.-Club career:He started his career in his hometown club Dinamo Pančevo and still very young emigrated to Spain to play in Segunda Division club CD Toledo.In the first match against Ecija 4:0 gave a hat-trick... 7, Steffen MenzeSteffen Menze Steffen Menze is a German football coach and a former player who is now sporting director of SG Dynamo Dresden.-External links:... 6 |
| 2002–03 | 2. Bundesliga 2. 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... (II) |
9th | 45 | -12 | Steffen Baumgart Steffen Baumgart Steffen Baumgart Steffen Baumgart Steffen Baumgart (born 5 January 1972 in Rostock is a former German football player turned manager who last worked for Regionalliga Nord side 1. FC Magdeburg.-Career:... 9, Kostadin VidolovKostadin Vidolov Kostadin Vidolov is a Bulgarian former footballer. In his career he played for Lokomotiv Plovdiv, Botev Plovdiv, CSKA Sofia, Levski Sofia, Beroe Stara Zagora, German 1. FC Union Berlin and Turkish Bursaspor. For Bulgaria national football team, Vidolov was capped 9 times, scoring one goal... 6,  Salif KeitaSalif Keita (Senegalese footballer) Salif Keita is a Senegalese professional football player, who currently plays for AS Douanes.-Notes:... 5, Sreto RistićSreto Ristic Sreto Ristić is a German footballer of Serbian descent.He moved to Germany at young age and has spent almost all his football career in Germany.-External links:... 5 |
| 2003–04 | 2. Bundesliga 2. 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... (II) |
17th  |
33 | -10 | Steffen Baumgart Steffen Baumgart Steffen Baumgart Steffen Baumgart Steffen Baumgart (born 5 January 1972 in Rostock is a former German football player turned manager who last worked for Regionalliga Nord side 1. FC Magdeburg.-Career:... 13, Salif KeitaSalif Keita (Senegalese footballer) Salif Keita is a Senegalese professional football player, who currently plays for AS Douanes.-Notes:... 8, Thomas SobotzikThomas Sobotzik Thomas Sobotzik is an German footballer from Polish part of Silesia, who currently plays for 1. FC Oberstedten.- Career :Thomas Sobotzik started his footballing career at local club Pogon Zabrze. When he was nine years old, he moved to Górnik Zabrze. In 1987 the Sobotzik family moved to Frankfurt... 7 |
| 2004–05 2004–05 Fußball-Regionalliga -From Süd:*Rot-Weiß Erfurt*1. FC Saarbrücken111. FC Saarbrücken were promoted due to FC Bayern Munich II being a reserve side which are barred from promotion to the 2. Bundesliga.-Teams Relegated from 2. Bundesliga:-From Nord:... |
Regionalliga Nord Regionalliga Nord The Regionalliga Nord 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 northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany... (III) |
19th |
27 | -18 |  Ryan CoinerRyan Coiner Ryan Coiner is a retired American soccer forward who played professionally in Germany and Major League Soccer.-College:... 12, Martin HauswaldMartin Hauswald Martin Hauswald is a professional German footballer, currently playing for Eintracht Trier.- Career :Hauswald, a midfielder, started his career at FV Dresden-Nord, moving shortly afterwards for €76,000 to Tennis Borussia Berlin... 5 |
| 2005–06 | NOFV-Oberliga Nord NOFV-Oberliga Nord The NOFV-Oberliga Nord is the fifth tier of the German football league system in the northern states of former East Germany and West-Berlin. Until the introduction of the 3. Liga in 2008, it was the fourth tier of the league system. It covers the German states of Berlin, Brandenburg and... (IV) |
1st |
69 | +51 | Daniel Teixeira Daniel Teixeira Daniel Teixeira is a Brazilian former footballer.-External links:... 24,  Karim BenyaminaKarim Benyamina Karim Benyamina is an Algerian international footballer. He currently plays as a forward for FSV Frankfurt.-Union Berlin:... 15, Torsten MattuschkaTorsten Mattuschka Torsten Mattuschka is a German football player currently playing for 1. FC Union Berlin.-External links:... 8, Tobias KurbjuweitTobias Kurbjuweit Tobias Kurbjuweit is a German footballer who plays for BFC Dynamo.- Career :Kurbjuweit made his professional debut in the German 3rd Liga against 1. FC Heidenheim on 24 July 2010.- Personal life :... 6 |
| 2006–07 | Regionalliga Nord Regionalliga Nord The Regionalliga Nord 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 northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany... (III) |
12th | 48 | +6 | Karim Benyamina Karim Benyamina Karim Benyamina is an Algerian international footballer. He currently plays as a forward for FSV Frankfurt.-Union Berlin:... 11, Nico PatschinskiNico Patschinski Nico Patschinski is a German footballer currently playing for Borussia Neunkirchen.- 1980–1994: Youth and rise with Union :... 9, Daniel TeixeiraDaniel Teixeira Daniel Teixeira is a Brazilian former footballer.-External links:... 5, Daniel SchulzDaniel Schulz Daniel Schulz is a German football player currently playing for SV Sandhausen.-External links:... 5, |
| 2007–08 | Regionalliga Nord Regionalliga Nord The Regionalliga Nord 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 northern and eastern part of Germany. It covers ten of the sixteen states of Germany... (III) |
4th | 60 | +18 | Nico Patschinski Nico Patschinski Nico Patschinski is a German footballer currently playing for Borussia Neunkirchen.- 1980–1994: Youth and rise with Union :... 13, Shergo BiranShergo Biran Shergo Biran is a German football player of Albanian ethnic origin who plays for Berliner FC Dynamo.-Notes:... 9, Karim BenyaminaKarim Benyamina Karim Benyamina is an Algerian international footballer. He currently plays as a forward for FSV Frankfurt.-Union Berlin:... 7, Torsten MattuschkaTorsten Mattuschka Torsten Mattuschka is a German football player currently playing for 1. FC Union Berlin.-External links:... 7, Marco GebhardtMarco Gebhardt Marco Gebhardt is a German football player currently playing for Germania Schöneiche.-References:... 6 |
| 2008–09 | 3. Liga 3rd Liga The 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... (III) |
1st |
78 | +36 | Karim Benyamina Karim Benyamina Karim Benyamina is an Algerian international footballer. He currently plays as a forward for FSV Frankfurt.-Union Berlin:... 16, Shergo BiranShergo Biran Shergo Biran is a German football player of Albanian ethnic origin who plays for Berliner FC Dynamo.-Notes:... 11, Hüzeyfe DoğanHüzeyfe Dogan Hüzeyfe Doğan is a Turkish-German football player who plays for Denizlispor.-Football career:Hüzeyfe Doğan moved to Germany at young age and as naturalized German citizen. He started his career with Bonn before joined Bayer Leverkusen youth system... 7, Nico PatschinskiNico Patschinski Nico Patschinski is a German footballer currently playing for Borussia Neunkirchen.- 1980–1994: Youth and rise with Union :... 5,  Macchambes Younga-MouhaniMacchambes Younga-Mouhani Macchambes Younga-Mouhani is a German-Congolese professional football player.- External links :**... 5 |
| 2009–10 2009–10 2. Fußball-Bundesliga -Personnel and sponsorship:-Managerial changes:-League table:-Results:... |
2. Bundesliga 2. 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... (II) |
12th | 44 | -3 | Torsten Mattuschka Torsten Mattuschka Torsten Mattuschka is a German football player currently playing for 1. FC Union Berlin.-External links:... 10,  John Jairo MosqueraJohn Mosquera John Jairo Mosquera is a Colombian footballer who plays for 1. FC Union Berlin on loan from SV Werder Bremen, as a forward.-Club career:... 7, Karim BenyaminaKarim Benyamina Karim Benyamina is an Algerian international footballer. He currently plays as a forward for FSV Frankfurt.-Union Berlin:... 6, Hüzeyfe DoğanHüzeyfe Dogan Hüzeyfe Doğan is a Turkish-German football player who plays for Denizlispor.-Football career:Hüzeyfe Doğan moved to Germany at young age and as naturalized German citizen. He started his career with Bonn before joined Bayer Leverkusen youth system... 5, Kenan ŞahinKenan Sahin Kenan Eyup Sahin is a Turkish scientist and entrepreneur in the United States.After graduating from Robert College of Istanbul, he received both his B.S. and Ph.D... 5 |
| 2010–11 2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga The 2010–11 2. Fußball-Bundesliga was the 37th season of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's second tier of its football league system. The season started on the weekend of 21 August 2010 and ended with the last games on 15 May 2011... |
2. Bundesliga 2. 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... (II) |
11th | 42 | -6 | John Jairo Mosquera John Mosquera John Jairo Mosquera is a Colombian footballer who plays for 1. FC Union Berlin on loan from SV Werder Bremen, as a forward.-Club career:... 8, Karim BenyaminaKarim Benyamina Karim Benyamina is an Algerian international footballer. He currently plays as a forward for FSV Frankfurt.-Union Berlin:... 7, Torsten MattuschkaTorsten Mattuschka Torsten Mattuschka is a German football player currently playing for 1. FC Union Berlin.-External links:... 5 |
| 2011–12 2011–12 2. Fußball-Bundesliga The 2011–12 2. Fußball-Bundesliga is the 38th season of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga, Germany's second tier of its football league system. The season commenced on 15 July 2011, three weeks earlier than the 2011–12 Fußball-Bundesliga season, and will end with the last games on 6 May 2012... |
2. Bundesliga 2. 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... (II) |
Honours
- German championship:
- Runners-up: 1923
- FDGB-Pokal: 1
- Winners 1968
- Runners-up 1986
- German Cup:
- Runners-up 2000–01
- UEFA CupUEFA CupThe UEFA Europa League is an annual association football cup competition organised by UEFA since 1971 for eligible European football clubs. It is the second most prestigious European club football contest after the UEFA Champions League...
:- 2nd Round 2001–02
- Brandenburg football championsBrandenburg football championshipThe Brandenburg football championship was the highest association football competition in the Prussian Province of Brandenburg, including Berlin, established in 1898...
: 2- Winners 1920, 1923
- Gauliga Berlin-BrandenburgGauliga Berlin-BrandenburgThe Gauliga Berlin-Brandenburg was the highest football league in the provinces of Brandenburg and Berlin in the German state of Prussia from 1933 to 1945...
: 1- Winners 1940
- Regionalliga NordostRegionalliga NordostThe Regionalliga Nordost was the third tier of the German football league system in the states of former East Germany and West-Berlin from 1994 to 2000. As such, it was almost identical in territorial cover to the old DDR-Oberliga....
: 1- Winners 2000–01
- NOFV-Oberliga NordNOFV-Oberliga NordThe NOFV-Oberliga Nord is the fifth tier of the German football league system in the northern states of former East Germany and West-Berlin. Until the introduction of the 3. Liga in 2008, it was the fourth tier of the league system. It covers the German states of Berlin, Brandenburg and...
: 1- Winners 2005–06
- Berlin CupBerlin CupThe Berliner Landespokal is an annual football cup competition held by the Berlin Football Association . The cup winner qualifies for the national DFB-Pokal. Cup finals are usually held in the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark. The competition has been held since 1906, with various interruptions...
: 5- Winners 1947, 1948, 1994, 2007, 2009
- 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...
: 1- Winners 2009
Club culture
The club is widely recognized as one of Germany's nonconformist "Kult" clubs, based on their very emotional rivality with Dynamo BerlinDynamo Berlin
Dynamo Berlin may refer to:* SC Dynamo Berlin, a multi-sports club in East Berlin from 1954 to 1991* Berliner FC Dynamo, an association football club separated out of SC Dynamo Berlin in 1966 and still extant...
in former GDR times. While Dynamo was affiliated with East Germany's Secret Service Stasi
Stasi
The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security (German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (MfS), commonly known as the Stasi (abbreviation , literally State Security), was the official state security service of East Germany. The MfS was headquartered...
, Union Berlin was patronized by Eastern German Trade Union FDGB. This circumstance led them into an unofficial opposition against the socialist system and in Union's Stadion An der Alten Försterei
Stadion An der Alten Försterei
Stadion An der Alten Försterei is a football stadium in the German capital Berlin. It has been home to football club 1. FC Union Berlin since it was opened on 7 August 1920. The stadium's capacity was approximately 18,100 spectators until its complete redevelopment, which commenced in the summer...
the fans often were singing veiled chants against the political authorities.
In August 2009, Union Berlin severed a sponsorship deal with International Sport Promotion because it was revealed that the company's chairman, Jürgen Czilinsky, was a former Stasi
Stasi
The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security The Ministry for State Security (German: Ministerium für Staatssicherheit (MfS), commonly known as the Stasi (abbreviation , literally State Security), was the official state security service of East Germany. The MfS was headquartered...
agent.
Songs
The official Union song is "Eisern Union" by the famous German Punk-Star Nina HagenNina Hagen
Nina Hagen is a German singer and actress.-Early years:Hagen was born as Catharina Hagen in the former East Berlin, East Germany, the daughter of Hans Hagen , a scriptwriter, and Eva-Maria Hagen, an actress and singer...
. An eponymous song by veteran German rock band the Puhdys
Puhdys
The Puhdys are a veteran German rock band, formed in Oranienburg , in what was then the German Democratic Republic, in 1969, although they had been performing together, with various lineups, as the Puhdys since 1965. They continue to record and tour...
doesn't enjoy great popularity, as this band also composed songs for Hansa Rostock and Berlin's ice hockey team Eisbären Berlin
Eisbären Berlin
' are a professional ice hockey team based in Berlin, Germany. The team competes in the Deutsche Eishockey Liga , the highest level of play in professional German ice hockey and is also one of the league's founding members...
, which once was a department of Union's main rival Dynamo.
Current squad
Notable players
- Past (and present) players who are the subjects of Wikipedia articles can be found here.