A fan’s guide – the club from early doors to today
In 2012-13, Fußballsportverein Frankfurt 1899 e.V. enjoyed their best season in decades, climbing to a fourth-placed finish in the Zweite. Indeed, had the Black-and-Blues come away from Kaiserslautern in early May with a result, they may have claimed a play-off spot for the top flight – but it wasn’t to be.
Based in Bornheim, former stomping ground of city rivals Eintracht, FSV were a major club in the city when the game was first developing a century ago.
Winning the regional Kreisliga in 1923, FSV reached the national final two years later, losing 1-0 to Nürnberg. They made the final of the 1938 German Cup, actually played in January 1939, but again lost, to Rapid Vienna.
With the formation of the Bundesliga, FSV were a regular mid-table presence in the second-flight Regionalliga Süd during the 1960s. Falling back to the third and even the fourth tiers, FSV gained promotion back to the Zweite in 2008 – and have stayed there since.
2012-13 was the first in which Albanian international striker Edmond Kapllani and former German U-21 international Björn Schlicke stamped their authority on all but the very best opposition in Germany’s second tier. While Kapllani continues to score, his FSV side will need the experience of former Leverkusen star Hanno Balitsch in 2014-15 to overcome a poor campaign in 2013-14.
Stadium Guide
The field of dreams – and the stands around it
The Frankfurter Volksbank Stadion, known for decades as the Stadion am Bornheimer Hang, is where FSV have been playing since a basic pitch was roped off here in 1908. A main stand was erected in the late 1920s, and finally opened in 1931, with a capacity of 15,000-plus.
Last modernised in 2009, this simple but sympathetic ground, with a half-seated, half-covered capacity of 10,500, suits FSV’s Zweite needs perfectly.
FSV’s faithful stand, uncovered, in blocks G, N and O, in the Nord- and Südtribune at either ends. Away fans are allocated half the standing section in Nord’s block F and adjoining seated section in block E of the Haupttribune. Blocks A-D (Haupttribune) and H-M (Gegentribune) are the best seats, under cover in facing stands along the sidelines.
getting there
Going to the stadium – tips and timings
The stadium is 2min walk from Johann-Tesch-Platz on the U7 line from central Hauptwache – you’ll pass it on your left as the U-Bahn pulls into the stop. Just cross the road back under the bridge and you’re there.
The club recommends that away fans alight at Eissporthalle/Festplatz, one stop nearer to town. One stop further up is Schäfflestraße, home of the Eintracht HQ at Riederwald, and the Diva bar/restaurant..
getting in
Buying tickets – when, where, how and how much
The Fan-Shop & Ticket-Center (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm) is inside the main entrance to the left as you walk in from the main road.
Prices are fixed at €9 standing behind the goals, €15-€20 seated over the corner flags in either stand, €25 closer to the halfway line and €30 for the best seats in either stand. Online print-at-home tickets are also available.
what to buy
Shirts, kits, merchandise and gifts
‘Born in Bernem’ is the slogan across the kicking gnomes and baby dolls in the modest little Fan-Shop (Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, match days) just inside the main entrance to the left as you walk in from the main road.
Where to Drink
Pre-match beers for fans and casual visitors
A nameless little kiosk by Johann-Tesch-Platz stop, on the other side of the main road to the stadium, does a modest pre-match trade. Those after something more substantial can try the Diva lounge bar/restaurant at Eintracht’s HQ at Riederwald (Gustav Behringer Straße 10), one stop further up at Schäfflestraße.
Alternatively, behind the ground less than 10mins’ walk away, the Bornheimer Ratskeller is a pleasant, traditional beer garden on Kettelerallee. At the ground there are a couple of Licher beer tents, one behind the Gegentribune, one by Block O where the Südtribune meets the Haupttribune.
