The history of Arminia Bielefeld
Milestones and background from the club's history, in chronological order.
More milestones and background for each event.
Categories
Competitions
Nicknames through the years Three names tell a story of near misses, late goals and an unbeaten season. Read the storiesClose the stories
Foundation, predecessors and responsibility
The first western title is awarded off the pitch
TG Arminia was awarded the West German championship following a revised match ruling against Kölner BC.
The title belongs to the combined predecessor club, before Arminia was reconstituted in November. The scheduled replay was never played.
Western champions after a dramatic comeback
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.
Cup surprises and new beginnings
The championship follows in Großaspach
One week after securing promotion, Arminia won 1–0 away to Sonnenhof Großaspach.
This match secured the 3. Liga championship ahead of MSV Duisburg.
The second-division title is secured too
A 1–0 victory over Darmstadt secured the championship with two matches remaining.
Just two days after promotion was confirmed, there was another reason to celebrate.
The road to Berlin and a hundred years of the Alm
Fabian Klos bows out with a cup
Arminia won the Westphalia Cup final against Verl 3–1.
After 13 years, it was Fabian Klos’s last competitive appearance for the club. The victory also earned entry to the DFB-Pokal campaign that would become so remarkable.
3. Liga champions for the second time
A 1–0 win over Waldhof Mannheim secured the championship ahead of Dynamo Dresden on the final day.
Mitch Kniat’s team received the league trophy one week before the DFB-Pokal final.
The Westphalia Cup rounds off the season
Five days after the final in Berlin, Arminia beat Sportfreunde Lotte 2–0.
The season ended with promotion, the 3. Liga title, the Westphalia Cup and a first appearance in the DFB-Pokal final.
