Second division side Union Berlin in the play-off against VfB Stuttgart, in order for the first time in the Bundesliga to ascend. In times of increasing commercialisation of the club wants to keep its identity.
“Shit, we on the rise”, it said, two years ago, on a Banner in the Old Forester. The saying of the Fans of Union Berlin referred with a wink to the fact that your club after a 2:0 victory against Würzburg on 23. Round had improved in that second division season 2nd place. But the response was meant to be to a certain extent, quite honestly. Many followers of the club were offset by a potential rise in the Bundesliga critical. She saw especially the danger of a growing commercialisation. At the end of the concerns that Fans had done, the Union was only Fourth.
How can it be that the Fans of a club do not want to upgrade? It seems a bit weird. Finally, it is in the nature of football, to win games, with the aim of can also in today’s race to profit-maximizing keep up. In the meantime, has changed the attitude of the Union-trailer – is of the club but only two (relegation play-off games) from the historic climb away. But the Banner of 2017 still stands for the Ethos of some other club, trying to defy the Trends of modern football.
“The place of Alternative culture”
In GDR times, East Berlin, divided into two soccer camps: the Fans of Union Berlin, there are those of Berliner FC Dynamo. Union was regarded as the club of the workers of Dynamo, as a toy of the former Stasi chief Erich Mielke. While Dynamo between 1979 and ’88 ten of the GDR, won title in a row and for the record, master the ascent, didn’t do any Union rank seven as the best result of the season. Union has acquired the dubious reputation of a “lift team” between the first and second division DDR-Liga.
The GDR upper League in 1988: Union-scorer Michael Weinrich (R.) celebrated his equalizer against Kar-Marx-Stadt
“Of course, there was also a political aspect, because Dynamo was connected with the Stasi, many people went against the grain,” says the Christian work, the stadium and the press spokesman of Union Berlin and his whole life long Fan of the club. “But first and foremost it was a football rivalry.”
Also Union was an essential component of the sport system of the GDR and was financed by the Regime, but the roots of the Association go back much further than the founding of the GDR in 1949. In the Union’s fan base, many dissidents were able to Express their contempt for the political System of the GDR in the anonymity of a football crowd could be found. “It was a place of Alternative culture, people with the state have nothing on the hat. It was a place of individuality and freedom,” says work.
When the League integrated after the fall of the Berlin wall in 1989 and reunification a year later, in the 1991/92 season, two East German clubs were neither the FC Dynamo still Union Berlin, but Hansa Rostock and Dynamo Dresden.
The way to the top
For the next 20 years, Union Berlin around hovering around in the fourth division, with one exception, as the club in 2001, moved into the final of the DFB Cup and, despite the 0:2 defeat for the UEFA Cup qualified. Sebastian Feverish, writes to pass the Fan-Blog “textile” and the Podcast “State of the Union Podcast” is derived, provides for the entry of Dirk zingler’s as the Association’s President in 2004 as a major turning point.
“Until then, the Fans had to drive things forward, but since Dirk Zingler here is, pull the club and the Fans in the same direction, which is something very Special,” says Feverishly. Under zingler’s leadership, the Union was also sporty and stable, and managed, finally, the ascent into the 2. League, where the Berlin for a decade, to the fixed part.
Union followed consistently the Plan to bring the club forward. The stadium was expanded, partly funded by the Fans of the legendary campaign “bleed for Union”, sponsors, and investors were looking for. “Our identity does not mean that we are at all commercially, of course, we are. This is football,” says Feverishly. “We use sponsorship money to pay our players, and we are doing business, without which you cannot survive. This is perhaps one reason why we are now on the way in the Bundesliga.” The club, players and Fans – they all did the climb in view.
Before the age of 16 years 89 Crazy with mulled wine and pastries, met on the Central line in the stadium . Today, the Christmas singing Tradition, 30,000 to make.
Unique Stadium Atmosphere
Everyone, the game at the Alte Försterei was once a Union is impressed by the atmosphere. The quiet, green suburb of Köpenick in the Southeast of Berlin is transformed into a vibrant, passionate Party, as soon as an eclectic mix of Fans to the 22,000-man strong red-includes white army. “On game days it’s just about the football. The Association ensures that the Fans get to experience just football,” says Feibrig.
You mean: no halftime shows, no music of the doors, no light, no bells and whistles, just a traditional football experience without the modern Marketing bells and whistles. All this in a stadium that reminds one of a bygone time. “We have a pure football stadium with standing places, in contrast to the modern seat-arenas,” says work.
Union Berlin is not only an Association but a community. And is now ready to share their culture with the Bundesliga. “The Union is like a family. Sure, everybody’s club claims, but the Union is different,” says Feverishly. “We can have a good influence on the Bundesliga. People have the impression that the League is currently losing exactly what makes you special.”
Against all odds
“Leipzig will have his own football vision and that’s okay. But we believe that the club should decide what direction the club is taking.” Work, heats up as the stadium announcer, the atmosphere on match days, believes that Union Berlin can shake up the Premier League. “We would welcome all of the Bundesliga clubs and show them what it’s like to celebrate a goal without music, to see a corner that is not presented by a Sponsor,” says work.
This Union would have to upgrade but for now. Since Relegation was introduced ten years ago, have only two second-division team in the Playoffs to decide. The mood around the club is positive that it can create a Union in spite of all the odds.
The Fan-made banners from the past Games, which are so very different, so from two years ago (see photo above). On a banner was rolled out before the last round, when a draw in Bochum, was read. “Never give up and believe in you.”
After a remarkable season, the Fans dare to dream now. And there is no doubt, what this act now.