February 2025 BAYERN GAME
MUNICH MILESTONES
Since its foundation in 1900 , FC Bayern has become the biggest sports club in the world . Because we ‘ ve stood by our ideals and pursued great goals in every year of our history . A look back at 125 decisive moments in 125 glorious years .
Illustration Joe Waldron
1900 — Following the foundation of the club on 27 February , FC Bayern play their first match , beating 1 . Münchner FC 5-2 . A few months later , they travel abroad for the first time , to Prague . In their very first year , FCB were already thinking internationally .
1901 — The 16-year-old Kurt Landauer starts out as a goalkeeper in the reserves . Later , as president , he would become one of the club ‘ s most influential figures .
1902 — The first derby against TSV 1860 takes place on 21 September , with FCB winning the match 3-0 on their own pitch on Clemensstraße in the district of Schwabing .
1903 — Dutchman Dr Willem Hesselink becomes president of FC Bayern . He is player , head coach and club chairman all in one , uniquely in the club ‘ s history . And he continues to develop FCB ‘ s youth programme .
1904 — FC Bayern take on Swiss champions FC St . Gallen and lose 10-0 , but lessons like this are invaluable for the evolution of the team .
1905 — THE BIGGEST MATCH IN THE CLUB ‘ S HISTORY TO DATE TAKES PLACE ON 17 MAY . BAYERN SURPASS THEMSELVES AND EARN A 0-0 DRAW AGAINST THE FIVE-TIME SOUTH GERMAN CHAMPIONS KARLSRUHER FV . THE CROWD IS THRILLED AND THE MEMBERSHIP INCREASES .
1906 — In order to become more professional , FCB joins forces with the largest club in the city at the time , the Munich Sportclub ( MSC ). Bayern form the football section and now play in red and white .
1907 — Bayern move to huge grounds on Schwabing ‘ s Leopoldstraße with MSC . For the first time , we play on a pitch in front of covered stands .
1908 — Eight years after its foundation , FC Bayern has over 300 members and eight teams .
1909 — On 30 May , FC Bayern play for the first time against a professional team from England , the birthplace of football . FCB lose 5-2 against four-time champions Sunderland in front of 2,500 spectators but chalk up the defeat as a respectable success .
1910 — 20-year-old Max “ Gaberl “ Gablonsky becomes FC Bayern ‘ s first capped player . On 16 May , he is called up for an international against Belgium . He plays for FCB until 1922 .
1911 — Englishman Charles Griffith becomes FC Bayern ‘ s first professional coach and is tasked with instilling an English football culture in the team . However , it fails to work out and the collaboration ends after less than a year .
1912 — A poor year for FC Bayern . The only silver lining is outstanding goalkeeper Ludwig Hofmeister , who salvages many a point for FCB .
1913 — KURT LANDAUER TAKES UP THE FIRST OF HIS FOUR TENURES AS PRESIDENT . RIGHT AT THE START , HE HIRES ENGLISH COACH WILLIAM TOWNLEY , WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY COACHED SPVGG FÜRTH .
1914 — The First World War begins , a turning point for the club . Landauer ‘ s first term of office ends and he enlists in the army as a
Vizewachmeister ( staff sergeant ) and Offizierstellvertreter ( platoon commander ). Head coach Townley returns to England .
1915 — Despite the war , a Gau-Kriegs- Frühjahrsmeisterschaft ( district war spring championship ) is held . FCB reach the final but narrowly lose to TSV 1860 ( 5-4 ).
1916 — FC Bayern are crowned South Bavarian champions . Club secretary Julius Heckel keeps all members serving on the front updated on FCB in his ” War News ”.
1917 — The team line-up changes frequently due to the war . Nevertheless , FC Bayern win the Munich and the South Bavarian Spring Championship .
1918 — FC Bayern has 415 members , although 300 of them are serving on the front . In total , 61 members lose their lives in the war .
FC Bayern Magazine 15