Kickers Offenbach
Kickers Offenbach, officially known as Offenbacher FC Kickers, is a German association football club based in Offenbach am Main, Hesse, founded on 27 May 1901.[1] The club achieved its greatest success by winning the DFB-Pokal in 1970 as the first second-division team to claim the title, defeating 1. FC Köln 2–1 in the final.[2] It has competed in the Bundesliga for seven seasons (1968/69, 1970/71, 1972–76, and 1983/84), with its highest league finish of seventh place in the 1972/73 campaign.[2] Currently, Kickers Offenbach plays in the Regionalliga Südwest, the fourth tier of German football, where it is positioned 13th (mid-table) in the 2025/26 season as of November 2025.[3] The club's early history saw it rise through regional leagues, earning promotion to the Bundesliga in 1968 after winning the Regionalliga Süd.[2] Notable highlights include a 6–0 thrashing of Bayern Munich in 1974/75, one of the largest victories against the eventual European champions, and an unbeaten run of 36 Regionalliga Süd matches en route to promotion in 1971/72.[2] Key figures from its Bundesliga era include forward Erwin Kostedde, the club's all-time top scorer with 52 goals in 133 appearances, and midfielder Siegfried Held, who made 133 Bundesliga outings for Offenbach.[2] However, the club faced significant setbacks, including a match-fixing scandal in 1970/71 that led to point deductions and relegation, as well as becoming the first team to suffer consecutive relegations from the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga in 1984 and 1985, dropping to the third tier amid financial woes.[2] In recent decades, Kickers Offenbach has oscillated between the third and fourth tiers, with promotions to the 3. Liga in 2009 and 2017 bookended by further financial instability and relegations.[3] The club maintains a dedicated fanbase, with around 2,800 members and average home attendances exceeding 5,000 in the Regionalliga.[1] Its home stadium, the Stadion am Bieberer Berg, has a capacity of 20,500 and has hosted international matches, including UEFA Cup ties during the 1970s.[3] Despite challenges, the Kickers remain a symbol of resilience in Hessian football, known for developing local talent and competing in the Hessenpokal alongside league play.[4]History
Formation and early years (1901–1932)
Kickers Offenbach was founded on 27 May 1901 in the Rheinischer Hof restaurant on Herrnstraße in Offenbach am Main, Hesse, by a group of football enthusiasts who had departed from established local clubs such as Melitia, Teutonia, and Viktoria to form their own association.[5] The club adopted the name Offenbacher Fußballclub Kickers 1901 e.V., reflecting the English influences prevalent in early German football terminology. Ludwig Boss served as the inaugural president, overseeing the club's initial organization and activities.[6] The debut match took place later that year against 1. Bockenheimer FC 1899, resulting in a 2:1 victory for the Kickers, marking a promising start to their competitive involvement in the burgeoning local football scene.[7] In its formative years, the club engaged in regional amateur competitions, joining the Nordkreis-Liga in 1909 to compete at a higher level within Hessian football structures. Success came in the post-World War I era with a championship in the Kreisliga Odenwald during the 1912–13 season, establishing the Kickers as a competitive force in local play. The team transitioned to the Kreisliga Südmain, where they secured titles in 1920, 1922, and 1923, demonstrating consistent performance and drawing larger crowds to matches against regional opponents, including early encounters with rivals from nearby Frankfurt.[8][9] The club's growth during this period was bolstered by the establishment of red and white as its official colors, symbolizing local pride and unity in the amateur football landscape. In 1921, Kickers merged with VfB 1900 Offenbach to form VfR Kickers Offenbach, a union aimed at strengthening resources and competitive standing, though the clubs separated in 1925 to resume independent operations. This era laid the groundwork for broader participation in southern German football, with the team playing on fields like the Exerzierplatz before moving to a dedicated facility at Heylandsruhe in 1907 and inaugurating the Bieberer Berg stadium in 1921.[10][8][7]Rise during the Third Reich era (1933–1945)
Following the Nazi reorganization of German football in 1933, which established the 16 regional top-tier Gauligen, Kickers Offenbach was integrated into the Gauliga Südwest, encompassing parts of Hesse, the Palatinate, and the Saarland.[11] The club quickly adapted to the new professionalized structure, securing the inaugural championship in the 1933–34 season with 11 wins, 8 draws, and 3 losses, finishing ahead of FK Pirmasens.[12] This triumph qualified them for the national playoffs, where they competed in Group 3 but were eliminated after recording 1 win, 3 draws, and 2 losses, including a playoff loss to SV Waldhof Mannheim.[11] The club's dominance intensified in the early 1940s amid the escalating World War II, as the Gauliga Südwest was divided into the Gauliga Westmark and Gauliga Hessen-Nassau in 1941. Kickers Offenbach captured five consecutive regional titles from the 1939–40 to 1943–44 seasons, first in the Gauliga Südwest (1939–40 and 1940–41) and then in the Gauliga Hessen-Nassau (1941–42 to 1943–44).[11] These victories highlighted their regional supremacy, with standout performances including a 4–0 win over TuS Helene Altenessen in the 1940–41 national group stage.[11] Their deepest national run came in 1942, reaching the German football championship semi-finals after defeating Werder Bremen 4–3 in the quarter-finals, only to fall 6–0 to eventual champions FC Schalke 04; they then lost 4–0 to Blau-Weiß 90 Berlin in the third-place match.[13] Key figures during this era included forward Erich Nowotny, who scored crucial goals in playoff matches, and versatile players like Anton Picard, Rudolf Staab, and brothers Harry and Rudolf Staab, who anchored the defense and midfield in squads that often featured local talents amid wartime constraints.[14] Coaching details are sparse, but the team relied on tactical discipline under figures like player-managers navigating the era's amateur-professional hybrid. World War II severely disrupted squad availability, with many players conscripted into military service, leading to reliance on youth and reserves; matches continued irregularly until 1944–45, when Allied bombings and travel restrictions halted play, contributing to an "obscure decade" of instability for the club.[15] Pre-war infrastructure developments centered on the Stadion am Bieberer Berg, opened in 1921 as a basic venue with wooden stands accommodating around 10,000 spectators, which served as the club's home and hosted intense regional derbies against rivals like Eintracht Frankfurt and FSV Frankfurt, fostering local passion in the Main-Hessen area.[16] These encounters, often drawing large crowds, underscored Kickers Offenbach's role as a pillar of Hessian football identity before wartime disruptions overshadowed further expansions.[16]Post-war recovery and Bundesliga entry (1946–1969)
Following the end of World War II, Kickers Offenbach resumed competitive play in the newly formed Oberliga Süd, one of five regional top-tier leagues in West Germany, starting in the 1945–46 season. The club demonstrated resilience amid the post-war challenges, achieving steady improvement through the late 1940s and 1950s, with notable consistency including championships in the 1948–49 and 1954–55 seasons, where they recorded 21 wins and 17 wins respectively. They also finished as runners-up in 1956–57, 1958–59, and 1959–60, securing national runners-up positions in the German football championship finals of 1950 and 1959.[17][18] In 1953, Kickers Offenbach became the first West German club to undertake an Asian tour, playing a series of exhibition matches that marked a significant step in the club's international exposure and the broader professionalization of German football. The tour included victories such as 9–1 over a Philippine select team in Manila on May 23, 1–0 against Kwong Wah from Hong Kong on May 28, and 4–1 over the All-Japan Select team in Tokyo on June 3, alongside matches in South Korea. This pioneering journey helped foster global connections and boosted the club's profile at home.[19] The introduction of the Bundesliga in 1963 prompted a qualification process for the new professional top flight, where Kickers Offenbach advanced from the Oberliga Süd but suffered a 0–3 aggregate defeat to TSV 1860 Munich in the promotion/relegation playoff, resulting in their placement in the second-tier Regionalliga Süd. In this league, the club excelled during the mid-1960s, finishing second in 1965–66, winning the title in 1966–67 with 20 wins and 10 draws, and securing another runners-up spot in 1967–68 behind FC Bayern Hof. These successes earned promotion to the Bundesliga for the 1968–69 season, the club's entry into Germany's professional elite. Parallel to on-field progress, the club invested in infrastructure, with upgrades to the Bieberer Berg stadium—including new stands in 1952, 1956, and 1960, plus floodlights in 1968—enhancing capacity and facilities to support a growing fan base drawn by the team's regional dominance.[20][16] This momentum culminated briefly in the 1970 DFB-Pokal triumph, a prelude to their Bundesliga experiences.[2]Bundesliga participation and the 1971 scandal (1970–1973)
Kickers Offenbach achieved their first major national honor by winning the 1969–70 DFB-Pokal, defeating VfB Stuttgart 1–0 after extra time in the semi-final and 1. FC Köln 2–1 in the final on August 29, 1970, at the Niedersachsenstadion in Hanover. This triumph, accomplished while competing in the Regionalliga Süd, boosted the club's profile and momentum. Following the cup success, Offenbach won the 1970–71 Regionalliga Süd title with 58 points from 30 matches, securing promotion to the Bundesliga through the promotion playoffs by defeating Remscheid 3–1 on aggregate. In their return to the Bundesliga for the 1970–71 season, Kickers Offenbach finished 17th with 27 points (9 wins, 9 draws, 16 losses, 49 goals for, 65 against), resulting in direct relegation as one of the bottom two teams in the 18-team league. Their home debut resulted in a 2–0 victory over MSV Duisburg on September 19, 1970, at the Bieberer Berg Stadion, showcasing defensive solidity with goals from Otto Geisel and Hans-Jürgen Köper. Rivalries intensified with local foes Eintracht Frankfurt, including a 2–2 draw at home on March 20, 1971, which highlighted the competitive Hesse derby atmosphere but did little to lift Offenbach from the relegation zone.[21] The 1971 Bundesliga scandal erupted during the closing stages of the 1970–71 season, with Kickers Offenbach implicated in bribery attempts to secure survival. Club director Horst-Gregorio Canellas approached Hertha BSC players, offering 160,000 Deutsche Marks to intentionally lose their April 1971 match against Offenbach, but Hertha instead accepted a larger bribe from Arminia Bielefeld to defeat them 1–0 in a parallel fixture. Canellas, suspecting broader corruption, secretly recorded a conversation with Hertha's Peter Marx and exposed the scandal at his 50th birthday party on June 6, 1971, by playing the tape, which triggered investigations revealing over 50 individuals involved across multiple clubs.[22][23] Punishments for Kickers Offenbach included a 70,000 DM fine, three-year suspensions for vice president Waldemar Kelin and treasurer Fritz Koch, and a one-year ban for manager Rudi Gutendorf; club president Canellas faced no penalty for his whistleblowing role. Although no points deduction was imposed—unlike for other clubs such as Arminia Bielefeld, which suffered administrative relegation—the scandal severely tarnished the club's reputation and finances, exacerbating sponsorship losses and fan distrust. Relegated on sporting merits at the end of the 1970-71 season, Offenbach responded by winning the 1971-72 Regionalliga Süd title unbeaten, securing immediate promotion back to the Bundesliga. In the 1972-73 season, they achieved their highest finish of 7th place with 35 points from 34 matches (14 wins, 7 draws, 13 losses, 61 goals for, 60 against), but the lingering effects of the scandal hindered long-term recovery efforts and contributed to ongoing financial strain.[24]Decline, financial issues, and revival (1974–present)
Following their initial Bundesliga stint, Kickers Offenbach suffered relegation at the end of the 1974–75 season, marking the beginning of a prolonged decline despite an impressive early-season 6–0 victory over Bayern Munich that briefly placed them atop the table.[2] The club returned to the Bundesliga for the 1983–84 campaign after several years in the 2. Bundesliga but managed only a single season before another relegation, followed by a historic consecutive drop to the third tier in 1985—the first such instance in German professional football.[2] These setbacks were exacerbated by mounting financial pressures, including a near-bankruptcy in 1985 that imposed a points deduction and forced the team into the Oberliga Hessen, where they oscillated between regional leagues through the 1980s and 1990s.[2] Financial woes persisted into the 21st century, culminating in full insolvency proceedings in 2013 with debts exceeding €9 million, which led to the denial of a 3. Liga license and an administrative relegation to the Regionalliga Südwest.[25] This crisis underscored a pattern of instability, with the club having faced multiple near-collapses saved by local support, including fan-driven initiatives to stabilize operations.[26] Amid these challenges, the 2012 reopening of the renovated Bieberer Berg Stadium—funded in significant part through fan contributions and community efforts—provided a symbolic boost, replacing the aging facility with a modern 20,500-capacity venue compliant with professional standards.[27] Signs of revival emerged in the late 2000s, as the club entered the newly formed 3. Liga in 2008 following relegation from the 2. Bundesliga, offering a brief period of stability in the third tier until further demotion in 2012.[2] Key milestones included winning the Regionalliga Südwest title in the 2014–15 season, securing a promotion playoff spot despite ultimately falling short, and capturing the Hessen Cup in 2015 and again in 2024, which granted entries to the DFB-Pokal.[28] These successes highlighted growing fan engagement and on-field competitiveness, though inconsistent results kept the club in the fourth tier for much of the ensuing decade. As of November 2025, Kickers Offenbach compete in the Regionalliga Südwest, where they continue to target promotion to the 3. Liga amid ongoing efforts to address lingering financial constraints through sustainable management and supporter backing. The club's trajectory reflects resilience, with periodic cup triumphs and league challenges underscoring a commitment to revival in the face of historical adversities.[2]Recent seasons
First-team results (2015–present)
Since their revival in the mid-2010s following financial challenges, Kickers Offenbach's first team has primarily competed in the Regionalliga Südwest, the fourth tier of German football, with consistent mid-table to upper-table finishes but no successful promotions. The club briefly participated in the 3. Liga during the 2008–09 season before relegation due to licensing issues, providing historical context for their post-2015 stability efforts in regional leagues.[3] The following table summarizes the first team's league performance from the 2014–15 season onward, including position, points, and goals scored/conceded. Data reflects full seasons except for 2025–26, which is ongoing as of November 2025.| Season | League | Position | Points | Goals For:Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025–26 | Regionalliga Südwest | 13th | 21 | 30:33 |
| 2024–25 | Regionalliga Südwest | 2nd | 64 | 75:42 |
| 2023–24 | Regionalliga Südwest | 11th | 46 | 58:49 |
| 2022–23 | Regionalliga Südwest | 7th | 55 | 48:38 |
| 2021–22 | Regionalliga Südwest | 3rd | 76 | 67:26 |
| 2020–21 | Regionalliga Südwest | 3rd | 87 | 80:32 |
| 2019–20 | Regionalliga Südwest | 8th | 32 | 29:28 |
| 2018–19 | Regionalliga Südwest | 5th | 59 | 61:34 |
| 2017–18 | Regionalliga Südwest | 3rd | 66 | 68:43 |
| 2016–17 | Regionalliga Südwest | 12th | 44 | 49:39 |
| 2015–16 | Regionalliga Südwest | 4th | 64 | 67:49 |
| 2014–15 | Regionalliga Südwest | 1st | 79 | 55:22 |
Reserve-team results (2015–present)
The reserve team of Kickers Offenbach, known as Kickers Offenbach II, has competed in the lower tiers of Hessian regional football since 2015, primarily serving as a development platform for young talent while navigating frequent promotions and relegations. Following relegation from the Oberliga Hessen in 2014, the team entered the Verbandsliga Hessen-Süd (sixth tier) for the 2014/15 season but struggled to maintain consistency in subsequent years.[33] In the 2015/16 season, Kickers Offenbach II finished 14th in the Verbandsliga Hessen-Süd with 31 points from 32 matches and a goal difference of 0, resulting in relegation to the Gruppenliga Hessen-Süd (seventh tier). The team responded strongly the following year, securing promotion back to the Verbandsliga by winning the Gruppenliga title in 2016/17. However, their return was short-lived; in 2017/18, they were relegated again after finishing near the bottom of the Verbandsliga Hessen-Süd. The side then spent several seasons in the Gruppenliga, often competing competitively but without immediate promotion until a dominant 2023/24 campaign.[33]| Season | League | Position | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015/16 | Verbandsliga Hessen-Süd | 14th | Relegated |
| 2016/17 | Gruppenliga Hessen-Süd | 1st | Promoted |
| 2017/18 | Verbandsliga Hessen-Süd | 16th | Relegated |
| 2018/19–2022/23 | Gruppenliga Hessen-Süd/Frankfurt Ost | Mid-table (typically 4th–8th) | No promotion/relegation |
| 2023/24 | Gruppenliga Frankfurt Ost | 1st | Promoted (69 points, 120:30 GD) |
| 2024/25 | Verbandsliga Hessen-Süd | 9th | 49 points, 79:84 GD |
| 2025/26 | Verbandsliga Hessen-Süd | 3rd | Ongoing (31 points, 32:20 GD as of November 2025) |
Squad and staff
Current first-team squad (2025–26 season)
As of November 19, 2025, Kickers Offenbach's first-team squad for the 2025–26 season comprises 26 players competing in the Regionalliga Südwest, with an average age of 25.8 years and five foreign players (19.2%). No injuries or loans are currently reported for first-team members.[36] The squad is organized below by position, including squad numbers, player names, ages, nationalities, contract expiry dates, and estimated market values.Goalkeepers
| No. | Player | Age | Nationality | Contract Expiry | Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Johannes Brinkies | 32 | Germany | 30 June 2026 | €150k |
| 37 | Jannik Horz | 22 | Germany | 30 June 2027 | €75k |
| 16 | Angelo Tramontana | 24 | Germany/Italy | 30 June 2026 | €50k |
| 33 | Nikolas Tatomirovic | 18 | Serbia/Germany | 30 June 2026 | €25k |
Defenders
| No. | Player | Age | Nationality | Contract Expiry | Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Noel Knothe | 26 | Germany | 30 June 2026 | €200k |
| 14 | Kristjan Arh Cesen | 28 | Slovenia | 30 June 2026 | €150k |
| 27 | Jayson Breitenbach | 27 | Germany | 30 June 2027 | €175k |
| 20 | Dominik Crljenec | 25 | Germany/Croatia | 30 June 2027 | €150k |
| 3 | Maximilian Rossmann | 30 | Germany | 30 June 2027 | €225k |
| 22 | Luca Stellwagen | 26 | Germany | 30 June 2027 | €150k |
| 31 | Ronny Marcos | 32 | Mozambique/Germany | 30 June 2027 | €200k |
| 32 | Vincent Moreno-Giesel | 23 | Germany | 30 June 2026 | €100k |
| 24 | Ouassim Karada | 20 | Germany/Morocco | 30 June 2026 | €75k |
Midfielders
| No. | Player | Age | Nationality | Contract Expiry | Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | Daniel Dejanovic | 24 | Germany/Croatia | 30 June 2027 | €150k |
| 17 | Marc Wachs | 30 | Germany | 30 June 2026 | €175k |
| 4 | Jona Borsum | 20 | Germany | 30 June 2026 | €75k |
| 34 | Chernoh Bah | 18 | Germany/Sierra Leone | 30 June 2026 | €50k |
| 28 | Tom Reuter | 17 | Germany | 30 June 2028 | €25k |
Forwards
| No. | Player | Age | Nationality | Contract Expiry | Market Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Onur Ünlücifci | 28 | Germany/Türkiye | 30 June 2026 | €200k |
| 7 | Stephan Mensah | 25 | Germany/Ghana | 30 June 2026 | €175k |
| 11 | Keanu Staude | 28 | Germany/Egypt | 30 June 2026 | €150k |
| 10 | Boubacar Barry | 29 | Germany/Guinea | 30 June 2027 | €225k |
| 9 | Valdrin Mustafa | 27 | Kosovo/Germany | 30 June 2027 | €250k |
| 21 | Ron Berlinski | 31 | Germany | 30 June 2026 | €200k |
| 19 | Jelle Goselink | 26 | Netherlands | 30 June 2027 | €225k |
| 23 | Kilian Skolik | 22 | Germany/France | 30 June 2026 | €100k |