1. FC Union Berlin
The Fans’ Club
The song of every football club praises the loyalty of the fans. But when push comes to shove, 1. FC Union fans really do stand “shoulder to shoulder” for their club, just as their song says. In 2004, when the 1. FC Union Berlin ran into financial difficulties, fans and supporters launched a “Bleed for Your Club” campaign, transferring their cash incentives for blood donations to the club coffers, helping to secure the club’s licence for the regional league. And when the “An der Alten Försterei” stadium was refurbished in 2008–2009, thousands of fans volunteered – working for a total of 140,000 hours for free. In summer 2014, the club turned the stadium into a “World Cup Living Room”, inviting fans to bring their sofas along so they could watch screenings of World Cup matches in comfort together. 1. FC Union, founded in 1966 in East Germany, played in the highest leagues, but after reunification struggled to fight its way back to the top. In 2001, though, 1. FC Union Berlin reached the DFB Cup Final, and played in the UEFA Cup. In 2019 they made the ascent to the first Bundesliga.
Successes:
- May 2019: Promoted to the 1st Bundesliga
- May 2009: Returned to the 2nd Bundesliga (second division)
- May 2001: Promoted to the 2nd Bundesliga (second division)
- 2001/02: Played in the UEFA Cup competition
- May 2001: Reached the DFB Cup Final
- July 1986: Group winner in the Intertoto Cup competition
- May 1986: Reached the FDGB Cup Final
- May 1985: Returned to East Germany’s Oberliga
- June 1982: Returned to East Germany’s Oberliga
- June 1976: Returned to East Germany’s Oberliga
- May 1970: Returned to East Germany’s Oberliga
- June 1968: Won the FDGB Cup, East Germany’s cup tournament
- May 1966: Promoted to East Germany’s top division Oberliga
