Borussia Mönchengladbach


GERMAN CHAMPION 1970, 1971, 1975, 1976, 1977
GERMAN CUP 1960, 1973, 1995
UEFA CUP 1975, 1979

This famed club with the unpronounceable name was one of the dominant teams of the 1970s, winning 5 Bundesliga titles. Since then, things have been a lot more rough, and it is unlikely that Gladbach will ever see those heights again - unless they get a sudden, massive infusion of cash. However, based on their now fading glory years, Borussia remain one of Germany's most recognizable clubs.

The club was founded back in 1900, in the "Anton Schmitz" pub. Disgruntled members of FC Germannia decided to break off and form their own club. Some moderate success was achieved in the 1930s, mostly on a regional scale. The first real national success on a didn't occur until 1960, when Borussia, led by international Albert Brülls, won the DFB Cup, defeating archrival 1.FC Köln 3-1.

Traditionally, M'Gladbach has been known for stylish, attacking football, but always from a solid defense. Among the famous players, most of whom played in the glory years of the 1970s, are midfielders Günter Netzer, Rainer Bonhof and forward Jupp Heynckes. Tiny Dane Allan Simonsen was a big star, and Lotthar Matthäus broke into the national squad with Gladbach in the early 80s. However, the best player was probably defender Berti Vogts, a fixture at the back for many years, to go along with 96 international caps. The memory of Vogts is somewhat clouded these days with his less than stellar run as national team coach, but the "Terrier" almost defined the style of a dogged defensive back.

On the European stage, Borussia has always been a tough opponent. The most famous game was however officially never played. Back in the 1971 Champions Cup, Gladbach defeated Inter Milan 7-1, but one of the Italian cheaters, Roberto Boninsegna, faked an injury, supposedly being hit on the head by a bottle thrown from the stands. The result was overturned by a spineless UEFA.

After the last title in 1977, Gladbach remained a top Bundesliga fixture, and indeed, after some poor results and danger in the early 1990s, by the mid decade they had reestablished themselves as a credible squad. However the wheels came off realtively quickly: 97-98 was almost a total disaster, as only a Gladbach away win and a Karlsruhe loss (who were leading in their game) saved Borussia from their first relegation ever.

1998-99 was the darkest year in club history. Basically, Gladbach sucked out of the gate, and there was little doubt they would end at the bottom. The premier German club of the 1970s had reached the end-of-the-line. When it became clear that relegation really couldn't be avoided, they finally started playing half-way decent. However, since most of the players left, it was unclear if they would be able to rebound in the 2.Liga. Their start was crap, and they were in the relegation zone early. However, in the 2nd half, they put things together and made a decent run. They entered the new milenium with a young, rebuilt squad and hopes of bouncing back to the top flight. 2009 ended with Gladbach's young squad holding their Bundesliga spot on the last day of the season, and 2011 they needed the re-introduced relegation playoff to hold their position.

Gladbach's reputation these days is that of a "traditional" club that increasingly relies on young talent. It doesn't seem likely that they'll ever reach the heights of the 1970s legends, but they look like producing a lot of good future stars.

Fullname Borussia Verein für Leibesübungen 1900 e.V. Mönchengladbach
City Mönchengladbach (Nordrhein-Westfalen). Pop: 263,000 (2002). West of Düsseldorf.
Address Bökelstraße 165 (Stadion), 41063 Mönchengladbach
Phone: (02161) 92930
Colors Green-white-black. Usually white with black trim at home, green on the road.
Nickname Die Fohlen (foals, i.e. horses)
Stadium Stadion im Borussia Park. Capacity: 53,148 (37,740 seats).
This state-of-the-art stadium opened in August 2004. Before then, MG had played in the legendary Bökelberg. Capacity 34,500 (8,900 seats)
Tickets Range from 10.50-37.50 euros. Up to 5 euros additional charge for "Top games". (2004).
Supporters Despite being a "small" club, Gladbach has a strong following, basically in the western/Ruhr area. However, their stylish play has brought them many international admirers. Averaged about 33,000 in 2004, but the new stadium should boost it closer to 50,000.
Friends
Foes Traditionally Gladbach's biggest foes have been the rivals at the top. Locally, probably 1.FC Köln. And of course Bayern München, especially from the 70s.
Heroes Over 30 German internationals, almost all of which came post 1970. The best player prior to the 70s was probably Albert Brülls, capped 22 times before moving to Italy. The 1970s produced some of the greatest stars: Flashy midfield general Günter Netzer, perhaps Germany's greatest defender Berti Vogts (96 caps), forward Jupp Heynckes (195 BL goals, by far the team leader), workhorse midfielder Rainer Bonhof. The teams of the late 70s/early 80s were built around superb diminutive Danish forward Allan Simonsen.
Zeroes Lothar Matthäus may have gotten his start as Germany's most capped player (26 caps for Gladbach, another 120+ for other teams), but is considered a traitor by most fans. Not only did he leave for Bayern München, but in his last game for Gladbach he missed a penalty kick in the DFB-Cup final...against Bayern München!!!
Beer Jever. Hannen Alt is locally brewed. Diebels was the main sponsor from 1994-97. Danish brew Tuborg was a sponsor before that.
Pub Grub
The Net Official site is www.borussia.de with a well done and informative history section.

Recent History:
--------------

2013-14 (I)     Bundesliga		6th
2012-13 (I)     Bundesliga		8th
2011-12 (I)     Bundesliga		4th
2010-11 (I)     Bundesliga              16th    Defeated Bochum in relegation playoff
2009-10 (I)     Bundesliga              12th
2008-09 (I)     Bundesliga              15th
2007-08 (II)    2.Liga		        1st
2006-07 (I)     Bundesliga              18th
2005-06 (I)     Bundesliga              10th
2004-05 (I)     Bundesliga              15th
2003-04 (I)     Bundesliga              11th
2002-03 (I)     Bundesliga              12th
2001-02 (I)     Bundesliga              12th

2000-01 (II)    2.Liga            	2nd
2001-02 (I)     Bundesliga              12th
2002-03 (I)     Bundesliga              12th
2003-04 (I)     Bundesliga              11th
2004-05 (I)     Bundesliga              15th
2005-06 (I)     Bundesliga              10th
2006-07 (I)     Bundesliga              18th
2007-08 (II)    2.Liga            	1st

1999-00 (II)    2.Liga            	5th
1998-99 (I)     Bundesliga              18th
1997-98 (I)     Bundesliga              15th
1996-97 (I)     Bundesliga              11th
1995-96 (I)     Bundesliga              4th
1994-95 (I)     Bundesliga              5th     DFB Cup Winner
1993-94 (I)     Bundesliga              10th
1992-93 (I)     Bundesliga              9th
1991-92 (I)     Bundesliga              13th
1990-91 (I)     Bundesliga              9th

1989-90 (I)     Bundesliga              15th
1988-89 (I)     Bundesliga              6th 
1987-88 (I)     Bundesliga              7th 
1986-87 (I)     Bundesliga              3rd
1985-86 (I)     Bundesliga              4th
1984-85 (I)     Bundesliga              4th 
1983-84 (I)     Bundesliga              3rd 
1982-83 (I)     Bundesliga              12th
1981-82 (I)     Bundesliga              7th 
1980-81 (I)     Bundesliga              6th 

1979-80 (I)     Bundesliga              7th 
1978-79 (I)     Bundesliga              10th
1977-78 (I)     Bundesliga              2nd
1976-77 (I)     Bundesliga              1st     CHAMPION
1975-76 (I)     Bundesliga              1st     CHAMPION
1974-75 (I)     Bundesliga              1st     CHAMPION
1973-74 (I)     Bundesliga              2nd
1972-73 (I)     Bundesliga              5th
1971-72 (I)     Bundesliga              3rd
1970-71 (I)     Bundesliga              1st     CHAMPION

1969-70 (I)     Bundesliga              1st     CHAMPION
1968-69 (I)     Bundesliga              3rd
1967-68 (I)     Bundesliga              3rd
1966-67 (I)     Bundesliga              8th
1965-66 (I)     Bundesliga              13th
1964-65 (II)    Regionalliga West       1st 
1963-64	(II)	Regionalliga West	8th

(c) Abseits Guide to Germany : www.abseits-soccer.com