SpVgg Ludwigsburg
Encyclopedia
The SpVgg Ludwigsburg is a German association football club
from the city of Ludwigsburg
, Baden-Württemberg
.
The First World War took a heavy toll on the relatively new club, of its 100 members, 35 did not return from the war. On 17 February 1919, the club reformed itself after being dormant throughout the war and adopted a new name, VfB Ludwigsburg. The new name was meant as a sign to show that the club had evolved from a football-only to a multi-sport association.
By 1921, the VfB counted 500 members but internal strife lead to some the footballers going their own way that year, forming the RSV Ludwigsburg. VfB and RSV at times competed on the same level, resulting in interesting derbies. Both clubs reached as far as the local second division, the Kreisliga.
In 1938, the two clubs finally came together again, merging and forming the current SpVgg 07 Ludwigsburg. the aim of the new club was to gain entry to the Gauliga Württemberg
, then the highest level of play in the state. SpVgg also became the owner of the Ludwig-Jahn-Stadion, the second-largest stadium in Württemberg
at the time. Despite all this, the club did not archive promotion to the Gauliga
until 1944, when playing football was already almost impossible due to the worsening war situation. The 1944–45 season barely got under way before it had to be cancelled and the SpVgg managed to play only four games.
After the end of the Second World War, the US occupation authorities did not permit the formation of more than one club in Ludwigsburg at the time, therefore, all clubs merged temporarily into the SKV Ludwigsburg. In January 1947, the SpVgg reformed and got approval from the authorities a month later.
The early post-war years were difficult for the club, its old ground was for a time occupied by the US Army and unavailable. To entice the TSV 1860 Munich to play a friendly in town in 1947 for example, the SpVgg had to pay the other club 120 kg of fruit as money was virtually worthless at this time.
On the playing field, the SpVgg languished in the second-highest league in Württemberg, the tier-four Bezirksklasse. In 1955, it barely escaped relegation from there but then managed to improve its fortunes and in 1958, it earned promotion to the Amateurliga Württemberg
(III). In this league, the club archived mid-table finishes in its first couple of seasons. In 1962, it struggled against relegation, but the season after, 1962–63, it finished runners-up to the VfB Stuttgart Amateure in what was now the Amateurliga Nordwürttemberg.
After this short run of success, the team deteriorated, falling back to the end of the table. After a narrow escape in 1965, the club was relegated to the 2nd Amateurliga in 1966. A championship in this league in 1970 earned the club the right to return to the third division.
Back at this level, the SpVgg once more managed to finish runners-up to the second team of the VfB Stuttgart. Because reserve teams were ineligible for promotion to the Regionalliga, Ludwigsburg earned the right to take part in the promotion round. In this round, the club managed to beat Waldhof Mannheim and earn promotion to the second division Regionalliga Süd
. It was the clubs first entry into professional football.
It lasted for two seasons in the Regionalliga, finishing 15th in the first year and 16th in the second and with this being relegated back to the Amateurliga. Back in this league, Ludwigsburg performed strongly, finishing third, second and first in the next three seasons. It also won its first Württemberg Cup
in 1974. This allowed the club to play in the DFB Cup 1974-75
, where it lost to 1. FC Mülheim
in the first round replay. The second place in 1975 also earned the club entry into the German amateur football championship
, where it competed with very little success. In 1975–76, the club once more competed in the German Cup, losing 0–6 to Borussia Dortmund
at home in the first round.
In 1976–77, the club had a bad season but recovered to qualify for the new Oberliga Baden-Württemberg
in 1978, finishing fifth, the last possible spot to do so.
After a slow start in the new league and two difficult seasons, the club managed a second place finish in 1982. Entering the German amateur championship for a second time, it narrowly lost to SV Werder Bremen Amateure in the semi-finals in extra time. After this, the club didn't play a big role in the league, eventually finding itself relegated in 1988, to the Verbandsliga Württemberg
(IV). It staged a quick recovery in this league and by winning it returned to the Oberliga on first attempt. In 1991, it once more came second in this league and went all the way to the final of the amateur championship. Despite having a home game, SpVgg managed to lose 1–2 to Werder Bremen Amateure once more. Reaching the final meant however the club was qualified for next seasons German Cup, where it lost 1–6 to Eintracht Frankfurt
at home in the second round, having beaten Eintracht Braunschweig
3–2 in the first round.
With the reforming of the Regionalliga Süd
, the club managed to qualify for this league, too in 1994. The SpVgg lasted three seasons in this league, a seventh place in 1995–96 being the highlight. However, the season after it was relegated back to the Oberliga.
After eight seasons with mixed results, the club once more found itself relegated to the Verbandsliga in 2005. Despite ambitions to return to the Oberliga, more than upper-table finishes could not be archived in this league and the SpVgg 07 Ludwigsburg eventually found itself relegated from the Verbandsliga in 2011.
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...
from the city of Ludwigsburg
Ludwigsburg
Ludwigsburg is a city in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, about north of Stuttgart city centre, near the river Neckar. It is the largest and primary city of the Ludwigsburg urban district with about 87,000 inhabitants...
, Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg
Baden-Württemberg is one of the 16 states of Germany. Baden-Württemberg is in the southwestern part of the country to the east of the Upper Rhine, and is the third largest in both area and population of Germany's sixteen states, with an area of and 10.7 million inhabitants...
.
History
The club was formed in 1907 under the name of 1. FC Ludwigsburger Kickers. In August 1907, the club then played its first game, a 0–2 loss to FC Vorwärts Stuttgart-Ostheim. In 1909, the club entered the local C-Klasse, beginning its area of competitive football.The First World War took a heavy toll on the relatively new club, of its 100 members, 35 did not return from the war. On 17 February 1919, the club reformed itself after being dormant throughout the war and adopted a new name, VfB Ludwigsburg. The new name was meant as a sign to show that the club had evolved from a football-only to a multi-sport association.
By 1921, the VfB counted 500 members but internal strife lead to some the footballers going their own way that year, forming the RSV Ludwigsburg. VfB and RSV at times competed on the same level, resulting in interesting derbies. Both clubs reached as far as the local second division, the Kreisliga.
In 1938, the two clubs finally came together again, merging and forming the current SpVgg 07 Ludwigsburg. the aim of the new club was to gain entry to the Gauliga Württemberg
Gauliga Württemberg
The Gauliga Württemberg was the highest football league in the German state of Württemberg and the Prussian province of Hohenzollern from 1933 to 1945...
, then the highest level of play in the state. SpVgg also became the owner of the Ludwig-Jahn-Stadion, the second-largest stadium in Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
at the time. Despite all this, the club did not archive promotion to the Gauliga
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:...
until 1944, when playing football was already almost impossible due to the worsening war situation. The 1944–45 season barely got under way before it had to be cancelled and the SpVgg managed to play only four games.
After the end of the Second World War, the US occupation authorities did not permit the formation of more than one club in Ludwigsburg at the time, therefore, all clubs merged temporarily into the SKV Ludwigsburg. In January 1947, the SpVgg reformed and got approval from the authorities a month later.
The early post-war years were difficult for the club, its old ground was for a time occupied by the US Army and unavailable. To entice the TSV 1860 Munich to play a friendly in town in 1947 for example, the SpVgg had to pay the other club 120 kg of fruit as money was virtually worthless at this time.
On the playing field, the SpVgg languished in the second-highest league in Württemberg, the tier-four Bezirksklasse. In 1955, it barely escaped relegation from there but then managed to improve its fortunes and in 1958, it earned promotion to the Amateurliga Württemberg
Amateurliga Württemberg
The Amateurliga Württemberg was the highest football league in the region of the Württemberg FA and the third tier of the German football league system from its inception in 1945 until the formation of the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg and the Verbandsliga Württemberg below it in 1978.- Overview :The...
(III). In this league, the club archived mid-table finishes in its first couple of seasons. In 1962, it struggled against relegation, but the season after, 1962–63, it finished runners-up to the VfB Stuttgart Amateure in what was now the Amateurliga Nordwürttemberg.
After this short run of success, the team deteriorated, falling back to the end of the table. After a narrow escape in 1965, the club was relegated to the 2nd Amateurliga in 1966. A championship in this league in 1970 earned the club the right to return to the third division.
Back at this level, the SpVgg once more managed to finish runners-up to the second team of the VfB Stuttgart. Because reserve teams were ineligible for promotion to the Regionalliga, Ludwigsburg earned the right to take part in the promotion round. In this round, the club managed to beat Waldhof Mannheim and earn promotion to the second division 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....
. It was the clubs first entry into professional football.
It lasted for two seasons in the Regionalliga, finishing 15th in the first year and 16th in the second and with this being relegated back to the Amateurliga. Back in this league, Ludwigsburg performed strongly, finishing third, second and first in the next three seasons. It also won its first Württemberg Cup
Württemberg Cup
The Bitburger-wfv-Pokal is one of the 21 regional cup competitions of German football. The winner of the competition gains entry to the first round of the German Cup. It was introduced in 1945. In 2011 the cup was renamed from WFV-Pokal into Bitburger-wfv-Pokal because of a new name sponsoring by...
in 1974. This allowed the club to play in the DFB Cup 1974-75
DFB Cup 1974-75
The DFB-Pokal 1974–75 was the 32nd season of the competition, the second-most important title in German football. 128 teams competed in the tournament of seven rounds which began on 7 September 1974 and ended on 21 June 1975. In the final Eintracht Frankfurt defeated MSV Duisburg 1–0, thereby...
, where it lost to 1. FC Mülheim
1. FC Mülheim
FC Mülheim is a German association football club based in Mülheim an der Ruhr, North Rhine-Westphalia.-History:Spielvereinigung Oberhausen und Styrum was established through the union of a number of local sports clubs including Styrumer Spielverein 08, Styrum 08 and Oberhausener Spielverein...
in the first round replay. The second place in 1975 also earned the club entry into the German amateur football championship
German amateur football championship
The German amateur football championship was a football competition in Germany, existing from 1950 to 2000, organised by the German Football Association, the DFB.-Overview:...
, where it competed with very little success. In 1975–76, the club once more competed in the German Cup, losing 0–6 to 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...
at home in the first round.
In 1976–77, the club had a bad season but recovered to qualify for the new Oberliga Baden-Württemberg
Oberliga Baden-Württemberg
The Oberliga Baden-Württemberg is the highest Football League in the state of Baden-Württemberg and the Baden-Württemberg football league system. It is one of eleven Oberligas in German Football, the 5th tier of the German football league system...
in 1978, finishing fifth, the last possible spot to do so.
After a slow start in the new league and two difficult seasons, the club managed a second place finish in 1982. Entering the German amateur championship for a second time, it narrowly lost to SV Werder Bremen Amateure in the semi-finals in extra time. After this, the club didn't play a big role in the league, eventually finding itself relegated in 1988, to the Verbandsliga Württemberg
Verbandsliga Württemberg
The Verbandsliga Württemberg 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.-Overview:...
(IV). It staged a quick recovery in this league and by winning it returned to the Oberliga on first attempt. In 1991, it once more came second in this league and went all the way to the final of the amateur championship. Despite having a home game, SpVgg managed to lose 1–2 to Werder Bremen Amateure once more. Reaching the final meant however the club was qualified for next seasons German Cup, where it lost 1–6 to Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt
Eintracht Frankfurt is a German sports club, based in Frankfurt, Hesse that is best known for its association football club.- Club origins :...
at home in the second round, having beaten Eintracht Braunschweig
Eintracht Braunschweig
Eintracht Braunschweig is a German association football club based in Braunschweig, Lower Saxony. The club was one of the founding members of the Bundesliga in 1963 and won the national title in 1967.-History:...
3–2 in the first round.
With the reforming of the 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...
, the club managed to qualify for this league, too in 1994. The SpVgg lasted three seasons in this league, a seventh place in 1995–96 being the highlight. However, the season after it was relegated back to the Oberliga.
After eight seasons with mixed results, the club once more found itself relegated to the Verbandsliga in 2005. Despite ambitions to return to the Oberliga, more than upper-table finishes could not be archived in this league and the SpVgg 07 Ludwigsburg eventually found itself relegated from the Verbandsliga in 2011.
League
- Amateurliga Nordwürttemberg (III)
- Champions: 1976
- Runners-up: 1963, 1975
- Oberliga Baden-WürttembergOberliga Baden-WürttembergThe Oberliga Baden-Württemberg is the highest Football League in the state of Baden-Württemberg and the Baden-Württemberg football league system. It is one of eleven Oberligas in German Football, the 5th tier of the German football league system...
(III)- Runners-up: 1982, 1991
- Verbandsliga WürttembergVerbandsliga WürttembergThe Verbandsliga Württemberg 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.-Overview:...
(IV)- Champions: 1989
Recent seasons
The recent season-by-season performance of the club:| Season | Division | Tier | Position |
| 1999–2000 | Oberliga Baden-Württemberg Oberliga Baden-Württemberg The Oberliga Baden-Württemberg is the highest Football League in the state of Baden-Württemberg and the Baden-Württemberg football league system. It is one of eleven Oberligas in German Football, the 5th tier of the German football league system... |
IV | 4th |
| 2000–01 | Oberliga Baden-Württemberg | 10th | |
| 2001–02 | Oberliga Baden-Württemberg | 5th | |
| 2002–03 | Oberliga Baden-Württemberg | 5th | |
| 2003–04 | Oberliga Baden-Württemberg | 11th | |
| 2004–05 | Oberliga Baden-Württemberg | 18th ↓ | |
| 2005–06 | Verbandsliga Württemberg Verbandsliga Württemberg The Verbandsliga Württemberg 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.-Overview:... |
V | 6th |
| 2006–07 | Verbandsliga Württemberg | 8th | |
| 2007–08 | Verbandsliga Württemberg | 4th | |
| 2008–09 | Verbandsliga Württemberg | VI | 6th |
| 2009–10 | Verbandsliga Württemberg | 3rd | |
| 2010–11 | Verbandsliga Württemberg | 16th ↓ | |
| 2011–12 | Landesliga Württemberg | VII |
- 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.
External links
- Official team site
- Abseits Guide to German Soccer – SpVgg Ludwigsburg
- SpVgg Ludwigsburg profile on Weltfussball.de
- Das deutsche Fußball-Archiv historical German domestic league tables