The club was founded in 1905 by Emil Schroeder, who had long been active in various local cultural clubs. He and 14 other soccer fans met in the local restaurant "Modersohn" and decided on the name Bielefelder Fussball-Club Arminia and also on the colors of white-blue-black. By 1927, the club then settled on the name Deutscher Sportclub Arminia, and began several years of decent performance and Westfalen titles.
Throughout the 1960s, Arminia remained one of the stronger 2nd division clubs, finally achieving the jump into the Bundesliga in 1969/70. Although picked for immediate relgation, they managed to survive the 1st season in the top class. However, the next year would bring disaster and disgrace. 1972 brought one of the darkest episodes in Arminia and in German soccer history. The club relegated from the Bundesliga in the 1971-72 season, but were proven to have bribed opponents to gain points. As a result, several players were banned, all games were nullified.
Despite this disaster, the club persevered, and by the end of the 70s, was knocking on the door of promotion once again. The decade closed with a tremendous run through the 2.Liga, scoring 120 goals and promotion. This run lasted till the mid 1980s, which ended in relegation and financia collapse, which led all the way back to the 4th division. But the club once again straightened things out. Starting in 94, Arminia began a series of ladder climbs that went 4-3-2-1 straight into the Bundesliga.
The 1998-99 season is best described as tenacious. Arminia was one of the co-favorites, and by an large, they played decently. The reward for their consistent play was the title and immediate return to the top league. Although they remained a tough opponent, they fell short and were immediately relegated once again. Expectations were that the club would bounce back in the second division; instead they were almost relegated again. But the next year they went up - for one year. Then bounced back up in 2004. All you can say about Arminia is that they are a true elevator club, and the fans are along for the ride!
2009 ended 5 seasons in the top flight, matching their previous best run. It also might be remembered for the silliness of firing head coach Michael Frontzeck with 1 match to play, and trying to have old-timer Jörg Berger rescue the club in the last game.
Full Name | Deutscher Sport-Club Arminia Bielefeld e.V. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
City | Bielefeld
(Nordrhein-Westfalen). Pop: 323,000 (2002).
Address |
Melanchthonstr. 2, 33615 Bielefeld | Phone: (0521) 131415, 966110 Fax: (0521) 9661111 Colors |
White shirt, blue trim, blue shorts, white socks. Entirely green on the
road.
| Nickname |
Die Arminen.
| Stadium |
Almstadion Capacity: 26,601 (14,300 seats) | Built in 1922, the original capacity was about 22,000, and through expansion reached 35,000 for the initial Bundesliga adventure (1971). Currently, due to sponsorship, it's known as the SCHÜCOARENA, which is pretty funny if you speak Spanish. Tickets |
Very difficult to come by, given the small park. However, if you are
visiting when Arminia is back in the 2.Liga, it shouldn't be too
difficult. And since they are the perennial yo-yo, you have about a 50-50
chance that tickets will be available. Prices range from 9-36 euros (2005), with an extra fee for "category A"
matches against popular clubs, such as Bayern, Schalke, Dortmund etc.
| Supporters |
Strong support in the northern Westfalen region. Averaged 14,000 in
2004 (2.Liga), up to 23,000 in Bundesliga. Like most top clubs,
there is an officially sponsored "Fan-Projekt". Theire is also a club
sponsored Fan coordinating commitee, for fan clubs. Among the member
clubs are some colorful names, such as "Blue Yankees", "Arminia Maniacs"
and "Alm-Virus". Contact info is given on the official web site.
| Friends |
|
Foes |
Local rivals such as Paderborn, Ahlen and Gütersloh, although they're generally not in the same class.
| Heroes |
Stefan Kuntz started his international career with Arminia, although he had more call-ups with
Kaiserslautern and Beskitas. Midfielder Norbert Eilenfeldt and forward Bruno Labbadia were popular.
Uli Stein was a solid and long serving keeper. | The "100 year Team", as voted by the fans: Uli Stein - Günther Schäfer, Dieter Schulz, Thomas Stratos - Walter Claus-Oehler (first international, 2 caps in 1923) Frank Pagelsdorf, Thomas von Heesen, Norbert Eilenfeldt, Bernd Kirchner - Bruno Labbadia, Ewald Lienen Manager: Ernst Middendorp Zeroes |
The doofuses involved with the 1971 Bundesliga-Skandal.
| Beer |
Krombacher is the current official sponsor. Past sponsors include
Herforder-Pils is a regional
favorite.
|
Pub Grub |
A stadium pub with "Kneipenatmosphäre", Alm-Terrasse was added in 2000.
| The Net |
Official site is
www.dsc-arminia-bielefeld.de , nicely done and informative.
| |
Recent History:
--------------
1963-64 (II) Regionalliga West 11th
1964-65 (II) Regionalliga West 5th
1965-66 (II) Regionalliga West 10th
1966-67 (II) Regionalliga West 3rd
1967-68 (II) Regionalliga West 4th
1968-69 (II) Regionalliga West 7th
1969-70 (II) Regionalliga West 2nd
1970-71 (I) Bundesliga 14th
1971-72 (I) Bundesliga 18th
1972-73 (II) Regionalliga West 11th
1973-74 (II) Regionalliga West 14th
1974-75 (II) 2.Liga Nord 4th
1975-76 (II) 2.Liga Nord 9th
1976-77 (II) 2.Liga Nord 2nd
1977-78 (II) 2.Liga Nord 1st
1978-79 (I) Bundesliga 16th
1979-80 (II) 2.Liga Nord 1st
1980-81 (I) Bundesliga 15th
1981-82 (I) Bundesliga 12th
1982-83 (I) Bundesliga 8th
1983-84 (I) Bundesliga 8th
1984-85 (I) Bundesliga 16th
1985-86 (II) 2.Liga 4th
1986-87 (II) 2.Liga 9th
1987-88 (II) 2.Liga 20th
1988-89 (III) Am.Oberliga Westfalen 2nd
1989-90 (III) Am.Oberliga Westfalen 1st
1990-91 (III) Am.Oberliga Westfalen 5th
1991-92 (III) Am.Oberliga Westfalen 4th
1992-93 (III) Am.Oberliga Westfalen 3rd
1993-94 (III) Am.Oberliga Westfalen 3rd
1994-95 (III) Regionalliga W/SW 1st
1995-96 (II) 2.Liga 2nd
1996-97 (I) Bundesliga 14th
1997-98 (I) Bundesliga 18th
1998-99 (II) 2.Liga 1st
1999-00 (I) Bundesliga 17th
2000-01 (II) 2.Liga 13th
2001-02 (II) 2.Liga 2nd
2002-03 (I) Bundesliga 16th
2003-04 (II) 2.Liga 2nd
2004-05 (I) Bundesliga 13th
2005-06 (I) Bundesliga 13th
2006-07 (I) Bundesliga 12th
2007-08 (I) Bundesliga 15th
2008-09 (I) Bundesliga 18th
2009-10 (II) 2.Liga 7th
2010-11 (II) 2.Liga 18th
2011-12 (III) 3.Liga
(c) Abseits Guide to Germany