The history of Arminia Bielefeld

Milestones and background from the club's history, in chronological order.

More milestones and background for each event.

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Competitions

Nicknames through the years Three names tell a story of near misses, late goals and an unbeaten season. Read the storiesClose the stories
1905–1933

Foundation, predecessors and responsibility

  1. Western champions after a dramatic comeback

    BFC Arminia Bielefeld
    4:3a.e.t.
    TuRU Düsseldorf
    West German championship
    Location: Essen Stadium: Uhlenkrug Neutral venue

    Arminia overturned a 1–3 deficit to beat TuRU Düsseldorf 4–3 after extra time in the decisive final.

    Willi Pohl scored the winner at Essen’s Uhlenkrug. A prematurely dispatched carrier pigeon announcing a Düsseldorf victory became part of the final’s folklore.

1970–1989

Bundesliga, scandal and dramatic swings

  1. Outnumbered before kick-off

    Arminia Bielefeld
    1:3
    1. FC Saarbrücken
    2. Bundesliga
    Location: Bielefeld Stadium: Bielefelder Alm

    Numerous injuries and the rules limiting the use of amateur players left Arminia with only ten men at kick-off against Saarbrücken.

    Another injury reduced the team to nine, and the match ended in a 1–3 defeat.