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