Wacker München
Encyclopedia
FC Wacker München is a German association football club
of about 200 members based in the Sendling
borough of Munich
, Bavaria. At their zenith in the 1920s the Blue Stars twice reached the semi-finals of the German Championship. After World War II, the club spent a year in the first division play, but was primarily a third division side, then the highest amateur level in the country. Following its decline and bankruptcy in the 1990s the club was reformed and has since then played in the lower amateur divisions. The term Wacker is German for brave.
and later played as FC Wittelsbach and then FC München-Laim. In 1908, they joined the bicycling club Radsportclub Monachia and were officially called Fußball-Abteilung Wacker 1903 des SC Monachia (en: Football Department Wacker 1903 of SC Monachia).
At the beginning of the 1913-14 season, the footballers left to join the gymnastics club Turnerschaft 1886 München and were called Fußballabteilung Turnerschaft Wacker 1886 München. In 1917, this union was dissolved and the club established itself as the independent side FC Wacker.
The first star of the team was the Austrian goalkeeper Karl Pekarna who played for Wacker in 1908 and 1909. He was named "Goalkeeper of the Year" in 1905 while playing in Scotland for Rangers FC. During these early years the club was primarily a first division side playing in the Süddeutscher Fußball Verband (en:South German Football League) where they captured the title in 1922. Wacker twice took part in national championship round play, advancing to the semi-final in 1922 where they were put out 0–4 by Hamburger SV
, and again advancing to the semi-final in 1928, this time losing 1-2 to Hertha Berlin. The club's successes are closely associated with Alfréd Schaffer
, one of the great stars of the early years of the game. He was Europe's top goalscorer in 1918 and 1919 while playing for MTK Budapest and is often considered the first professional player on the continent. He played for Wacker in 1921 and 1922 before serving as team coach at the end of the decade.
After the re-organization of German football into sixteen premier level divisions under the Third Reich in 1933, Wacker qualified for the Gauliga Bayern
and played there until being relegated in 1938. Wacker returned to first division football in 1940 and remained there until 1945. However, the Blue Stars were never a serious contender for the division title. Following World War II
, the team took up play in the Landesliga Bayern
(II) and won promotion to the Oberliga Süd
in 1947, only to be immediately relegated. In 1950, they qualified for the new second division 2nd Oberliga Süd
and played two seasons there, returning for a third season in 1953. Until 1980, Wacker was for the most part a third division division side, then Germany's highest amateur level, making single season appearances in the Regionalliga Süd
(II) in 1964-65, 1970–71 and 1972-73. They qualified for Regionalliga play again in 1975, but refused the promotion for financial reasons. They slipped to the now fourth-tier Landesliga Bayern in 1980 and in 1995 were reorganized following financial difficulties. They remained in Landesliga play until being bankrupted in 2004 through the fraudulent management of the club's finances. The club has since been part of the country's third and fourth lowest divisions (X and XI).
:
in 1992/93 and 1994/95. They left the club to form their own independent club in 1999, FFC Wacker München, becoming the first independent wonmen's football club in Bavaria. Since 2005 FFC Wacker co-operates with TSV 1860 München
. They now play in Group South of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga (women)
.
The Wacker women won the Bavarian Championship in the years 1991, 1992, 1994 and 2003 and the Bavarian Cup in 1992, 1994 and 1996.
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...
of about 200 members based in the Sendling
Sendling
Sendling is a borough of Munich. It is located south-west of the city centre and spans of the city boroughs Sendling and Sendling-Westpark. Sendling is sub-divided into Obersendling, Mittersendling and Untersendling...
borough of Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, Bavaria. At their zenith in the 1920s the Blue Stars twice reached the semi-finals of the German Championship. After World War II, the club spent a year in the first division play, but was primarily a third division side, then the highest amateur level in the country. Following its decline and bankruptcy in the 1990s the club was reformed and has since then played in the lower amateur divisions. The term Wacker is German for brave.
History
The club was formed in 1903 as FC Isaria München in the Munich quarter of LaimLaim
Laim is a district of Munich, Germany, forming the 25th borough of the city. Inhabitants: ca. 49.000 -History:Originally its own independent locality, Laim was in existence before Munich. It was first documented between 1047 and 1053 as loco leima . The municipality was formed in 1818 and...
and later played as FC Wittelsbach and then FC München-Laim. In 1908, they joined the bicycling club Radsportclub Monachia and were officially called Fußball-Abteilung Wacker 1903 des SC Monachia (en: Football Department Wacker 1903 of SC Monachia).
At the beginning of the 1913-14 season, the footballers left to join the gymnastics club Turnerschaft 1886 München and were called Fußballabteilung Turnerschaft Wacker 1886 München. In 1917, this union was dissolved and the club established itself as the independent side FC Wacker.
The first star of the team was the Austrian goalkeeper Karl Pekarna who played for Wacker in 1908 and 1909. He was named "Goalkeeper of the Year" in 1905 while playing in Scotland for Rangers FC. During these early years the club was primarily a first division side playing in the Süddeutscher Fußball Verband (en:South German Football League) where they captured the title in 1922. Wacker twice took part in national championship round play, advancing to the semi-final in 1922 where they were put out 0–4 by 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...
, and again advancing to the semi-final in 1928, this time losing 1-2 to Hertha Berlin. The club's successes are closely associated with Alfréd Schaffer
Alfréd Schaffer
Alfréd Schaffer was a Hungarian footballer who has the distinction of playing for a record number of professional clubs; he played for a total of 21 clubs in a 15 year career which lasted from 1910–1925....
, one of the great stars of the early years of the game. He was Europe's top goalscorer in 1918 and 1919 while playing for MTK Budapest and is often considered the first professional player on the continent. He played for Wacker in 1921 and 1922 before serving as team coach at the end of the decade.
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...
and played there until being relegated in 1938. Wacker returned to first division football in 1940 and remained there until 1945. However, the Blue Stars were never a serious contender for the division title. Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the team took up play in 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) and won promotion to the Oberliga Süd
Oberliga 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:...
in 1947, only to be immediately relegated. In 1950, they qualified for the new second division 2nd Oberliga Süd
2nd Oberliga Süd
The 2nd Oberliga Süd was the second-highest level of the German football league system in the south of Germany from 1950 until the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963. It covered the three states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Hessen.-Overview:...
and played two seasons there, returning for a third season in 1953. Until 1980, Wacker was for the most part a third division division side, then Germany's highest amateur level, making single season appearances in 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...
(II) in 1964-65, 1970–71 and 1972-73. They qualified for Regionalliga play again in 1975, but refused the promotion for financial reasons. They slipped to the now fourth-tier Landesliga Bayern in 1980 and in 1995 were reorganized following financial difficulties. They remained in Landesliga play until being bankrupted in 2004 through the fraudulent management of the club's finances. The club has since been part of the country's third and fourth lowest divisions (X and XI).
German internationals
A number of Wacker players were selected for the Germany national football teamGermany national football team
The Germany national football team is the football team that has represented Germany in international competition since 1908. It is governed by the German Football Association , which was founded in 1900....
:
- Heinrich Altvater, one match for Germany in 1922
- Georg Ertl, seven matches for Germany from 1925–1927
- Wilhelm Falk, one match for Germany in 1927
- Josef Weber, one match for Germany in 1927
- Sigmund HaringerSigmund HaringerSigmund Haringer was a German football player who participated at the 1934 FIFA World Cup. He played club football with Bayern Munich, Wacker München and 1. FC Nuremberg.-External links:*...
, 15 matches for Germany from 1931–1937, four of them while with Wacker
Others
- Karl Pekarna, Austrian international, 1908–09
- Alfréd SchafferAlfréd SchafferAlfréd Schaffer was a Hungarian footballer who has the distinction of playing for a record number of professional clubs; he played for a total of 21 clubs in a 15 year career which lasted from 1910–1925....
, Hungarian international, 1920–21 - Albert Eschenlohr, German international, ca. 1922
- Eugen Kling, German international, ca. early 1920s
- Péter Szabó, Hungarian international, late 1920s
- Ernst Poertgen, German international, 1939–42
- Friedrich Müller, German international, ca. mid-1930s
- Hennes WeisweilerHennes WeisweilerHans "Hennes" Weisweiler was a German football player and coach....
, later famous coach, some time during World War II - Hans Bauer, World Cup winner 1954, 1945–48
- Adolf Kunstwadl, former captain of Bayern Munich, 1967–74
- Dietmar HamannDietmar HamannDietmar "Didi" Hamann is a German footballer who was most recently manager at Stockport County. Throughout his career, he has played for Bayern Munich, Newcastle United, Liverpool, and Manchester City primarily in a defensive midfield position. He also spent time at Milton Keynes Dons as a...
, 59 matches for Germany, played for the club's youth side until 1989
Coaches
- Edward Hanney, English Olympics participant 1912, 1927–28
- Alfréd SchafferAlfréd SchafferAlfréd Schaffer was a Hungarian footballer who has the distinction of playing for a record number of professional clubs; he played for a total of 21 clubs in a 15 year career which lasted from 1910–1925....
, Hungarian international, ca. 1929–31 - 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...
, World Cup winner 1954, ca. 1969
Honours
The club's honours:- German championship
- Semi-finals: (2) 1922, 1928
- Southern German championship
- Champions: 1922
- Kreisliga Südbayern (I)
- Champions: (2) 1921, 1922
- Amateurliga Bayern (II-III)
- Champions: (6) 1946, 1958 (south), 1964, 1970, 1972, 1976
- Runners-up: (4) 1953, 1963 (south), 1968, 1974
- Landesliga Bayern-SüdLandesliga Bayern-SüdThe Landesliga Bayern-Süd 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: (2) 1982, 1987
- Runners-up: 1986
- 2nd Amateurliga Oberbayern B2nd Amateurliga BayernThe 2nd Amateurliga Bayern was a set of eleven regional leagues in Bavaria existing from 1951 to 1963 as the fourth tier of football in the state....
(IV)- Champions: 1962
- A-Klasse 4 (X-XI)
- Champions: (2) 2006, 2010
Recent seasons
The recent season-by-season performance of the club:| 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 |
| 2003-04 | A-Klasse 5 Feldhofer | X | 3rd |
| 2004-05 | A-Klasse 5 Moossmann | 4th | |
| 2005-06 | A Klasse 5 Moossmann | 1st ↑ | |
| 2006-07 | Kreisklasse 4 Wagner | IX | 10th |
| 2007-08 | Kreisklasse 4 Wagner | 9th | |
| 2008–09 | Kreisklasse 3 Wagner | X | 13th ↓ |
| 2009–10 | A-Klasse 4 Wagner | XI | 1st ↑ |
| 2010–11 | Kreisklasse 5 Müller | X | 8th |
| 2011–12 | Kreisklasse 5 Müller |
- 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.
Women's team
Wacker was one of the pioneers of women's football in Germany commencing operations immediately after the German association permitted the sport in 1970. The women's football department of Wacker was moderately successful, achieving two one year stints in the top-level BundesligaFußball-Bundesliga (women)
The Women's Football Bundesliga is the main league competition for women's football in Germany. In 1990 the German Football Association created the German Women's Bundesliga, based on the model of the men's Bundesliga. It was first played with north and south divisions, but in 1997 the groups...
in 1992/93 and 1994/95. They left the club to form their own independent club in 1999, FFC Wacker München, becoming the first independent wonmen's football club in Bavaria. Since 2005 FFC Wacker co-operates with TSV 1860 München
TSV 1860 München
Turn- und Sportverein München von 1860, commonly known as TSV 1860 München or 1860 Munich, is a German sports club based in Munich, Bavaria. The club's football team plays in the Second Bundesliga, after relegation from the Bundesliga following the 2003–04 season...
. They now play in Group South of the 2. Fußball-Bundesliga (women)
2. Fußball-Bundesliga (women)
The 2nd Women's Football Bundesliga is the second league competition for women's football in Germany. It is divided into 2 groups of north and south...
.
The Wacker women won the Bavarian Championship in the years 1991, 1992, 1994 and 2003 and the Bavarian Cup in 1992, 1994 and 1996.
External links
- FC Wacker München, Official Website
- FFC Wacker München 99, Official Website of women's football club Wacker
- John Dwyer, Wacker München, The Abseits Guide to German Soccer
- Das deutsche Fußball-Archiv, historical German football league tables (in German)
- Manfred Herzing: Manfreds Fußballarchiv, (football tables of lower leagues of Bavaria)