SpVgg Bayreuth


SpVgg Bayreuth is a German football club based in Bayreuth, Bavaria. Apart from coming within two games of earning promotion to the Bundesliga in 1979, the club also reached the quarter finals of the DFB-Pokal twice, in 1977 and 1980.
WWW spvgg-bayreuth.de

History

1921 to 1945

Founded in 1921 when the side left gymnastics oriented sport club TuSpo Bayreuth, SpVgg Bayreuth was one of many clubs banned and replaced with a state-sanctioned organization in 1933 during the Nazi campaign against existing sports and other social organizations. A handful of club members reformed a rump side called FSV Bayreuth to carry on the activities of the original association. This team was made up largely of soldiers stationed locally, which resulted in a constantly changing lineup as they were transferred in and out of the area. The old club was quickly resurrected after World War II.

1945 to 1963

The club initially stood in the shadow of two local rivals, FC Bayreuth and VfB Bayreuth, with the later taking out the Amateurliga Nordbayern title in 1956. SpVgg had earned promotion to this league in 1954, having won the 2. Amateurliga Oberfranken-West title that year and then dominated its promotion round.
The club achieved good results in the Bayernliga and managed to win its division in 1959. The team then went on to beat southern champions Schwaben Augsburg in the finals for the Bavarian title. As the Bavarian champions, the club was entitled to enter the promotion round to the 2. Oberliga Süd, where it had to overcome VfR Pforzheim 2–1 after extra time in a narrow decider for promotion to the second division.
The club spent three seasons in the second tier of Southern German football, achieving a remarkable fifth place in its first year. The second season was a struggle against relegation and, in the third and last one, it was sent down back to the Bayernliga again.
A fourth place in the last season before the league reform in 1963 saw the club qualify for the new single-division Amateurliga Bayern from 1963.

1963 to 2013

After the formation of the Bundesliga in 1963, Bayreuth played as a third division team until 1969. Another Amateurliga championship meant promotion to the second tier once more, now the Regionalliga Süd. It proved a short stay and SpVgg was narrowly relegated, losing a decider to ESV Ingolstadt 5–2 after finishing on equal points.
Back in the Bayernliga, the club won an undisputed championship, losing only two out of their 34 games, 15 points clear of the second-placed Wacker München. After another difficult first year in the second division, the club established itself in the league, coming fourth in 1973 and fifth in 1974, results that proved enough to qualify for the new 2. Bundesliga Süd.
The club did quite well in the new league and they came close to moving up to the Bundesliga in 1979 after a second-place finish in 2. Bundesliga Süd, but lost in the promotion round 1–1 and 1–2 to Bayer Uerdingen. It managed to qualify for the new single-division 2. Bundesliga in 1981, too, but the first season in this league was very disappointing and the team was relegated to the Oberliga in 1982, having come last.
The team became a top-side in the Oberliga but took until 1985 to take out the league title again and returned to the second division.
Although relegated to Amateur Oberliga Bayern in 1988 and 1989, the team was spared further demotion when clubs that had finished ahead of them were denied licences due to their financial problems. Bayreuth could not evade relegation after a third consecutive poor finish in 1990, and in 1994 slipped further still to the Bayernliga. A strong campaign returned the side to the Regionalliga Süd for 2005–06. The club was denied a license for the Regionalliga in the 2006/07 season and forcibly relegated to the 4th division Bayernliga. The club won the Bayernliga title for a seventh time, building up a convincing margin to the second placed team, and fulfilling the on-the-field qualification to the Regionalliga. On 11 June 2008, the club was refused a licence for this league and has to remain in the Bayernliga. The club's financial trouble however continued, having to declare insolvency on 22 October 2008, despite sitting second in the league.
In the 2010–11 Bayernliga season, the club unsuccessfully struggled against relegation, dropping down to the Landesliga after a 1–2 extra-time loss to Bayern Hof in a relegation decider.
At the end of the 2011–12 season the club qualified directly for the newly expanded Bayernliga after finishing fourth in the Landesliga.

2013 to present

Organisational changes

On 8 May 2013, the members of SpVgg Bayreuth made a decision in a general meeting to separate the first men's team and establish Spielvereinigung Oberfranken Bayreuth von 1921 Spielbetriebs GmbH, which was founded on 26 June 2013. They also expanded the club's name to Spielvereinigung Oberfranken Bayreuth von 1921 e.V., including the Bavarian administrative district of Upper Franconia. Out of the 116 members present, 104 voted in favor. Following the separation, the club retained 60% ownership of the operational company, while the remaining 40% was divided between construction entrepreneur Alois Dechant and steel tube chair manufacturer Franz Stegner. After Franz Stegner's death, Erwin Stechert, alongside Alois Dechant, held 20% ownership of the operational company. These 20% were transferred to the association on 4 May 2021. On 13 July 2022, the club also acquired the 20% previously held by Alois Dechant. Currently, Spielvereinigung Oberfranken Bayreuth von 1921 e.V. holds 100% ownership of the operational company.

First-team performances

In 2014, the team achieved promotion to the Regionalliga Bayern and immediately secured a commendable 6th-place finish in the 2014–15 season. In 2021, they made their return to the DFB-Pokal, where they faced Arminia Bielefeld at home in a 6–3 loss.
After a fiercely contested 2021–22 Regionalliga season, in which SpVgg Bayreuth and [FC FC Bayern Munich II|Bayern Munich II|Bayern Munich] engaged in a prolonged battle for the top spot, Bayern Munich II suffered a defeat against Wacker Burghausen in the penultimate match of the season. This loss meant that SpVgg Bayreuth mathematically secured the first-place position and clinched the championship of the Regionalliga Bayern, thus earning promotion to the unified 3. Liga two matchdays before the end of the season. Consequently, Bayreuth returned to professional football after a hiatus of 32 years, commencing from the 2022–23 season.
For the new season, the club decided to revert to the historical club crest from the 1950s and 60s. This strategic move was made in close collaboration with the fan community and underwent a meticulous planning process spanning several months.
Following the promotion, successful coach Timo Rost bid farewell and embarked on a new journey at Erzgebirge Aue. For the 2022–23 season, Bayreuth appointed Thomas Kleine as their new head coach. Kleine had previously served as an assistant coach at Greuther Fürth and Fortuna Düsseldorf. On the fourth matchday of the 2022–23 3. Liga season, the team celebrated their first points and victory at the third level of German football. This achievement occurred in front of 2,712 spectators at their home stadium, the Hans-Walter-Wild-Stadion. Alexander Nollenberger scored the decisive winning goal against VfL Osnabrück in the 82nd minute with a left-footed shot into the far corner of the goal. By winning the Regionalliga Bayern in the 2021–22 season, SpVgg Bayreuth also earned qualification for the 2022–23 DFB-Pokal. In the first round, they competed in front of a home crowd at a sold-out stadium against 2. Bundesliga club Hamburger SV but suffered a 3–1 defeat after extra time. Luke Hemmerich netted the opening goal for Bayreuth in the 16th minute from a deflected free-kick, while Ransford-Yeboah Königsdörffer equalised for HSV shortly before the end of regular time. In extra time, Sebastian Schonlau and Königsdorffer secured the victory for HSV, resulting in a final score. Bayreuth were unable to retain their status as a 3. Liga side two consecutive seasons, and they suffered relegation finishing bottom of the league on 13 May 2023, after a 4–1 loss to Viktoria Köln.

Stadium

The club's stadium was originally built in 1967. In 2002 it was renamed the Hans-Walter-Wild-Stadion. Hans Walter Wild is the former mayor of Bayreuth.

Honours

League

2. Bundesliga Süd

Youth

Bavarian Under 19 championship

Cup

DFB-Pokal

Recent managers

Recent managers of the club:
ManagerStartFinish
Marco Schmidt1 July 200030 June 2003

Recent seasons

The recent season-by-season performance of the club:


;SpVgg Bayreuth
YearDivisionTierPosition
1999–2000Landesliga Bayern-NordV2nd
2000–01Landesliga Bayern-NordV1st ↑
2001–02BayernligaIV7th
2002–03BayernligaIV4th
2003–04BayernligaIV7th
2004–05BayernligaIV1st ↑
2005–06Regionalliga SüdIII10th ↓
2006–07BayernligaIV3rd
2007–08BayernligaIV1st
2008–09BayernligaV4th
2009–10BayernligaV9th
2010–11BayernligaV16th ↓
2011–12Landesliga Bayern-NordVI4th ↑
2012–13Bayernliga NordV6th
2013–14Bayernliga NordV1st ↑
2014–15Regionalliga BayernIV6th
2015–16Regionalliga BayernIV7th
2016–17Regionalliga BayernIV12th
2017–18Regionalliga BayernIV17th
2018–19Regionalliga BayernIV10th
2019–21Regionalliga BayernIV3rd
2021–22Regionalliga BayernIV1st ↑
2022–233. LigaIII20th ↓
2023–24Regionalliga BayernIV12th
2024–25Regionalliga BayernIV5th
2025–26Regionalliga BayernIV



;SpVgg Bayreuth II
SeasonDivisionTierPosition
1999–2000
2000–01
2001–02
2002–03Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII1st ↑
2003–04Bezirksoberliga OberfrankenVI1st ↑
2004–05Landesliga Bayern-NordV11th
2005–06Landesliga Bayern-NordV8th
2006–07Landesliga Bayern-NordV18th ↓
2007–08Bezirksoberliga OberfrankenVI15th ↓
2008–09Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVIII10th
2009–10Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVIII6th
2010–11Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVIII2nd ↑
2011–12Bezirksoberliga OberfrankenVII16th
2012–13Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII9th
2013–14Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII9th
2014–15Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII6th
2015–16Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII2nd ↑
2016–17Landesliga Bayern-NordostVI15th
2017–18Landesliga Bayern-NordostVI17th ↓
2018–19Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII5th
2019–21Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII5th
2021–22Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII4th
2022–23Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII2nd ↑
2023–24Landesliga Bayern-NordostVI14th ↓
2024–25Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII2nd
2025–26Bezirksliga Oberfranken-OstVII



DFB-Pokal appearances

The club has qualified for the first round of the DFB-Pokal one quite a number of occasions, reaching the quarter finals in 1979–80 as its best result:
SeasonRoundDateHomeAwayResultAttendance
1972–73 DFB-PokalFirst round – first leg10 December 1972SpVgg Bayreuth1. FC Kaiserslautern4–2
1972–73 DFB-PokalFirst round – second leg20 December 19721. FC KaiserslauternSpVgg Bayreuth4–0
1974–75 DFB-PokalFirst round7 September 1974SpVgg BayreuthFC Schalke 041–2
1975–76 DFB-PokalFirst round1 August 1975Karlsruher SCSpVgg Bayreuth4–2
1976–77 DFB-PokalFirst round6 August 1976Kickers OffenbachSpVgg Bayreuth4–4 aet
1976–77 DFB-PokalFirst round – replay1 September 1976SpVgg BayreuthKickers Offenbach4–1
1976–77 DFB-PokalSecond round16 October 1976SpVgg BayreuthSSV Reutlingen2–1
1976–77 DFB-PokalThird round18 December 1976SpVgg BayreuthFV Hassia Bingen2–1
1976–77 DFB-PokalFourth round8 January 1977SpVgg BayreuthFC Augsburg2–0
1976–77 DFB-PokalQuarterfinals9 February 1977SpVgg BayreuthRot-Weiß Essen1–2
1977–78 DFB-PokalFirst round29 July 1977FC 08 VillingenSpVgg Bayreuth0–1
1977–78 DFB-PokalSecond round20 August 1977Itzehoer SVSpVgg Bayreuth1–6
1977–78 DFB-PokalThird round14 October 1977Karlsruher SCSpVgg Bayreuth2–0
1978–79 DFB-PokalFirst round4 August 1978SV HaidlfingSpVgg Bayreuth0–5
1978–79 DFB-PokalSecond round24 September 1978SpVgg BayreuthMelsunger FV6–0
1978–79 DFB-PokalThird round2 December 1978Bayer 04 LeverkusenSpVgg Bayreuth1–0
1979–80 DFB-PokalFirst round25 August 1979SpVgg BayreuthPreußen 07 Hameln5–0
1979–80 DFB-PokalSecond round29 September 1979SpVgg BayreuthSpVgg Au/Iller6–0
1979–80 DFB-PokalThird round12 January 1980SpVgg BayreuthFC Bayern Munich1–018,000
1979–80 DFB-PokalFourth round16 February 1980SpVgg BayreuthTuS Langerwehe5–2 aet
1979–80 DFB-PokalQuarterfinals6 April 1980FC Schalke 04SpVgg Bayreuth3–1
1980–81 DFB-PokalFirst round29 August 1980Borussia NeunkirchenSpVgg Bayreuth1–1 aet
1980–81 DFB-PokalFirst round – replay17 September 1980SpVgg BayreuthBorussia Neunkirchen2–1
1980–81 DFB-PokalSecond round29 August 1980SpVgg BayreuthVfB Stuttgart1–3
1981–82 DFB-PokalFirst round28 August 1981SpVgg BayreuthBayer Uerdingen3–1
1981–82 DFB-PokalSecond round11 October 1981VfB Stuttgart IISpVgg Bayreuth1–2
1981–82 DFB-PokalThird round30 December 1981SpVgg BayreuthVfB Oldenburg2–0
1981–82 DFB-PokalFourth round9 January 1982SV Werder BremenSpVgg Bayreuth2–0
1982–83 DFB-PokalFirst round27 August 1982SpVgg BayreuthSpVgg Fürth3–1
1982–83 DFB-PokalSecond round15 October 1982SpVgg BayreuthHertha BSC0–1
1983–84 DFB-PokalFirst round28 August 1983FC AugsburgSpVgg Bayreuth2–1 aet
1984–85 DFB-PokalFirst round1 September 1984SpVgg BayreuthSV Mettlach7–0
1984–85 DFB-PokalSecond round13 October 1984SpVgg BayreuthSG Union Solingen1–2
1986–87 DFB-PokalFirst round27 August 1986SpVgg BayreuthSG Wattenscheid 090–3
1988–89 DFB-PokalFirst round6 August 1988Germania DörnigheimSpVgg Bayreuth0–5
1988–89 DFB-PokalSecond round24 September 1988SV Werder BremenSpVgg Bayreuth6–1
1989–90 DFB-PokalFirst round20 August 19891. FC PforzheimSpVgg Bayreuth4–1
1990–91 DFB-PokalFirst round4 August 1990SpVgg BayreuthBlau-Weiß 90 Berlin0–3
2006–07 DFB-PokalFirst round8 September 2006SpVgg BayreuthKickers Offenbach0–2
2021–22 DFB-PokalFirst round7 August 2021SpVgg BayreuthArminia Bielefeld3–65,000
2022–23 DFB-PokalFirst round30 July 2022SpVgg BayreuthHamburger SV1–3 aet15,000

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