Der Club is famed throughout Germany, although it has been basically living on reputation since 1968, when they last won their then record 9th title. They then achieved an immortal status when they became the only champion to be relegated next year. Since that period however, Nürnberg has entered into a relatively dark period.
The club was founded back in 1900, when college students who had often been playing rugby-style opted to form a team dedicated to the more "German" game. About 18 of them gathered a local beerhall, the "Bürenhütte" to form the nucleus of FCN. Oddly enough, they voted to make the "Loreley" the team pub, which must have been a bitter slap-in-the-face to the "Bürenhütte". Despite the fact that it took over a year to have enough players to field a team, by 1901 the dominant München club, Bayern, challenged 1.FCN to a match for the "Bavarian Championship". Der Club wasn't ready, and in front of 1,000 fans went down 0-6. They managed a bit more success against some of the other Munich clubs, but a rematch with Bayern next year ended even worse: 1-8. However things started going up rapidly, and by 1909 FCN could claim the Southern German Championship.
The 1920s proved to be the glory years for Nürnberg, as they quickly made their name as the most powerful team in Germany. They won the title 5 times in that decade, and then added additional titles in 1936 and 1948.
In the modern era, they won a championship in 1961, breaking the tie with Schalke on 7 titles with their 8th, and then won a record 9th in 1968. However, the following year proved to be the worst disaster in german soccer history, as the Bundesliga champions were relegated! This was a result of the policies of their tin-pot-dictator coach, Max Merkel. He decided after winning the championship that his team was too old, so he fired the veterans and went with "talent". It took 10 years to get back to the Bundesliga. This also started the unstoppable rise of of their old rival, Bayern München, to the pinnacle of German soccer, leaving der Club in the dust.
The 1970's were largely trying years for Nürnberg. After a few attempts to force their way back with high priced stars, they were almost relegated back to the Bayernliga. Gradually they did come back, with a completely new team and outlook, but by the middle 1990s, were back to their old tricks. Bankruptcy loomed, and financial shenanigans led to point penalties imposed by the DFB. Sound management got them back on top and initiated a quick rise, like the Phoenix from the ashes.
1998-99 ended in disaster. Der Club looked relatively safe, as they only needed a draw at home against Freiburg, who also only needed a point to assure staying up. Instead, FCN stunningly lost, and Frankfurt crushed their opponent, to even out the standings on points and goal difference. However, Frankfurt scored more goals, and Nuernberg were relegated! Fans expected der Club to be back in top flight relatively soon, but they barely missed out re-promotion in 2000. The next season saw a decent start, and the 2nd division title. But as is wont with their status as an elevator team, after a two season spell, they were back in the Zweite Liga. The 2003 season was supposed to be difficult, but "der Club" put things together and won promotion again to the top for 2004. Survival was rough, and it took an amazing season from midifelder Marek Mintal, who scored 24 to lead the league. 2007 proved to be one of the best years in the last decase, as der Club scrambled to 6th place, and also ended up winning their first DFB Cup in 45 years. Then, the next season, after making noises about qualifying for Europe directly, they sucked royally, and got relegated again.
In the modern day Bundesliga, der Club seems destined to be an elevator club, but given how badly things looked less than 10 years ago, maybe that's not too bad.
In 2010, der Club benefitted from yet another rule change where the 3rd bottom club was no longer automatically relegated, but instead played-off against the 3rd top 2.Liga club. They got their act together and defeated the challengers Augsburg to stay up.
Fullname | 1.Fußball-Club Nürnberg - Verein für Leibesübungen e.V. | ||||||||||||||||
City | Nürnberg (Bayern). Pop: 491,000 (2002). | ||||||||||||||||
Address | Valznerweiherstraße 200, 90480 Nürnberg. Phone: (09 11) 94 07 90 | ||||||||||||||||
Colors | The red shirt, black shorts is famed through Germany. | ||||||||||||||||
Nickname | Der Club | ||||||||||||||||
Stadium |
Frankenstadion. Capacity 46,700 (34,700 seats). The stadium was built in 1928, with about 40,000 capacity. In 1965, it was expanded to 65,000, but was refurbished for the World Cup in 1974. It was known as Stadion der Hitler-Jugend from 1933-45. Another renovation is underway for the 2006 WorldCup, which will leave FCN with a 45,000 all-seater. | ||||||||||||||||
Tickets |
Depends on whether they're up or down. Prices ranged from 8.50-39.50 euros
in 2004 (2.Liga), 11-42 in 2007 (Bundesliga).
Supporters |
FCN is popular. There are about 380 recognized clubs with over 10,000
members. Averaged 16,000+ in 2004 (2.Liga), about 30,000 in Bundesliga.
| Friends |
There is an official fan friendship with Schalke, the longest standing in
Germany.
|
Foes |
Bayern München obviously. Neighbor SpVgg Fürth.
| Heroes |
About 40 German internationals, but few superstars. Max Morlock (26
caps, 1950-56) scored Germany's first in the 1954 Cup final. Keeper
Andy
Köpke had 14 caps for FCN, and another 45 elsewhere (1990-98).
Luitpold Popp was a star from the 1920s. | Zeroes |
Certainly Max Merkel has to rank. After winning the title in 1968,
he decided to get rid of the oldies (e.g. Franz Brungs, whose 25 goals had
weighed heavily to the championship.) Instead he wanted to bring in
youngsters and new blood, 12 of them. Instead FCN became the first ever
reigning champion to be relegated!! | Beer |
Kulmbacher is current sponsor.
Tucher-Pils is a widespread
local brew, available in US. |
Further comments: "Best place to have a beer: The best place is a picnic/party setup outside the stadium called the "Gartla". Once you get off the train at the stadium, you will hear the party coming from there. Finnegan's Harp in the city center right across from the main train station is the second best place. Believe it or not, the next best place to have a beer after Finnegan's is in the main train station with the fans that are lingering most of the day before the match!! Best Beer: Besides the Irish Beer at Finnegan's, my suggestion for local beer would be Zirndorfer. However, Zirndorfer is usually served in bottles, so it might be hard to find. The Tucher beer is served at the stadium and in my opinion it thoroughly SUCKS!! If you are at the train station, pick up on of the national brands like Bitburger or Warsteiner. You can't go wrong there. If you don't want to go German at the train station, a couple of places sell the real deal Czech Budweiser." - K.Richardson Grub and Pub |
"Stadium Grub: Without a doubt, Frankenstadion has the best stadium
grub I have had in the Bundesliga so far. They serve a grilled steak
sandwich and a grilled Nuernberger Bratwurst sandwich that are second
to none. There are also a couple of stands that serve a frikadelle
second only to Kaiserslautern's." - K.Richardson
| The Net |
The official one is at
www.fcn.de | English speakers might want to turn first to www.1fcnuk.com , the 1.FCN UK Supporters Club, which is quite outstanding! |
Recent History: -------------- 2013-14 (I) Bundesliga 17th 2012-13 (I) Bundesliga 10th 2011-12 (I) Bundesliga 10th 2010-11 (I) Bundesliga 6th 2009-10 (I) Bundesliga 16th Beat Augsburg in relegation playoff 2008-09 (II) 2.Liga 3rd 2007-08 (I) Bundesliga 16th 2006-07 (I) Bundesliga 6th 2005-06 (I) Bundesliga 8th 2004-05 (I) Bundesliga 14th 2003-04 (II) 2.Liga 1st 2002-03 (I) Bundesliga 17th 2001-02 (I) Bundesliga 15th 2000-01 (II) 2.Liga 1st 1999-00 (II) 2.Liga 4th 1998-99 (I) Bundesliga 16th 1997-98 (II) 2.Liga 3rd 1996-97 (III) Regionaliga Süd 1st 1995-96 (II) 2.Liga 17th 1994-95 (II) 2.Liga 15th 1993-94 (I) Bundesliga 16th 1992-93 (I) Bundesliga 13th 1991-92 (I) Bundesliga 7th 1990-91 (I) Bundesliga 15th 1989-90 (I) Bundesliga 8th 1988-89 (I) Bundesliga 14th 1987-88 (I) Bundesliga 5th 1986-87 (I) Bundesliga 9th 1985-86 (I) Bundesliga 12th 1984-85 (I) 2.Liga 1st 1983-84 (I) Bundesliga 18th 1982-83 (I) Bundesliga 14th 1981-82 (I) Bundesliga 13th 1980-81 (I) Bundesliga 14th 1979-80 (II) 2.Liga Süd 1st 1978-79 (I) Bundesliga 17th 1977-78 (II) 2.Liga Süd 2nd 1976-77 (II) 2.Liga Süd 5th 1975-76 (II) 2.Liga Süd 2nd 1974-75 (II) 2.Liga Süd 6th 1973-74 (II) Regionalliga Süd 2nd 1972-73 (II) Regionalliga Süd 5th 1971-72 (II) Regionalliga Süd 9th 1970-71 (II) Regionalliga Süd 1st 1969-70 (II) Regionalliga Süd 3rd 1968-69 (I) Bundesliga 17th 1967-68 (I) Bundesliga 1st CHAMPIONS 1966-67 (I) Bundesliga 10th 1965-66 (I) Bundesliga 6th 1965-66 (I) Bundesliga 6th 1964-65 (I) Bundesliga 6th 1963-64 (I) Bundesliga 9th
(c) Abseits Guide to Germany : www.abseits-soccer.com