Greuther Fürth are back in the Bundesliga after just one previous season in the top flight. - © DFL

bundesliga

Greuther Fürth Fanzone: Getting to know the promoted club

23.06.2021

If you're contemplating making a Bundesliga pilgrimage to see Greuther Fürth in action then look no further than bundesliga.com's lowdown on the German top-flight's new addition.

History

The Clover Leaves won their first German championship in 1914 under William Townley, an Englishman who also coached Fürth's Bavarian rivals Bayern Munich. Fürth were, at the time, one of the biggest clubs in Germany, and subsequent league titles followed in 1926 and 1929. They had to wait until 2012/13, however, for their Bundesliga debut.

Fürth players Karl "Charly" Mai and Herbert Erhard were part of the German squad that won the 1954 FIFA World Cup, but the club later played in the lower leagues until the inaugural Bundesliga 2 season in 1974. They merged with TSV Vestenbergsgreuth in 1996, and won promotion to the top flight for the first time as second division champions in 2012. Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who was born in Fürth, travelled there to see them during the 2012/13 Bundesliga season, but they won just four games and were relegated. Having finished as runners-up to Bochum in the second tier in 2020/21, they will hope their next stay in the top flight is much longer.

Greuther Fürth won the German Championship three times before the formation of the Bundesliga, most recently in 1929. - DFL

Honours

3x German champions (1914, 1926, 1929)
1x Bundesliga 2 champions (2012)

Coach

Stefan Leitl is a former Bayern academy player who featured 25 times for the record-champions' second string but never made a first-team appearance. He went on to represent Fürth's biggest rivals Nuremberg in the Bundesliga and closed out his career at Ingolstadt, where Leitl immediately moved into coaching when he hung up his boots in 2013. The 43-year-old coached Ingolstadt's U17s and reserves before stepping into the head coach role in 2017. He wound up at Fürth in February 2019 and oversaw their promotion last year in his second full season in charge.

Star man

Another ex-Bayern man firing the Fürth charge is 26-year-old midfielder Julian Green, who enjoyed the most productive season of his career last time out. His nine goals and two assists in 30 league appearances played a major role in securing promotion and only centre-forward pairing Branimir Hrgota (16) and Havard Nielsen (11) scored more times for the club than the 15-cap USA international in 2020/21.

United States international Julian Green is at the centre of all good things for Greuther Fürth. - DFL

Last season

Fürth secured automatic promotion by finishing second in Bundesliga 2, clinching the runners-up spot on the final day by leapfrogging Holstein Kiel courtesy of a 3-2 win over Fortuna Düsseldorf. Trailing 2-1 an hour in, Green and substitute Dickson Abiama completed the dramatic turnaround that ultimately sealed their top-flight return. Leitl's side were particularly impressive on the road, winning nine times, earning six draws and losing just twice to claim the best away record in the division.

The stadium

The 16,626 capacity Sportpark Ronhof | Thomas Sommer stadium has been Fürth's home since 1910 but has been through a number of renovations since. None more drastic than after the team's previous promotion to the Bundesliga that demanded major changes to the South Stand in order to meet top-flight requirements. Seat numbers were only added the evening prior to their season opener at home to Bayern Munich.

The city

Situated in the north of Bavaria, the city of Fürth has an approximate population of 120,000 people. Its coat of arms gives Greuther both their Clover Leaves nickname and their club colours of green and white. Fürth is also home to a number of toy manufacturers, including Playmobil, and there is a theme park dedicated entirely to their toys. Elsewhere, Fürth is a leader in solar technology and has a taste for beer through its long association with brewing.

Much of Fürth's historic architecture remains in place, and you can explore the city's history in a number of museums while taking in its over 1,000 listed historical monuments. Its Stadtpark is central to Fürth life, where nature is at your fingertips wherever you are, whether it be via the Gustav-Adolf natural springs near the Rive Rednitz or the city's seven-kilometre Nature Trail for Urban Ecology.

Getting there

Fürth doesn't have its own airport to welcome international travellers but neighbouring Nuremberg is home to Airport Nürnberg, which is just a 20-minute drive away. That airport services the majority of Europe, while Munich International Airport is another option slightly further afield, but still well within reach in an hour and a half. As Germany's second-busiest airport, Munich would be the best option for those flying in from countries outside of the continent such as America.

The Sportpark Ronhof | Thomas Sommer home of Greuther Fürth has an old school look and feel. - DFL

Getting to the Sportpark Ronhof | Thomas Sommer

The Sportpark Ronhof sits in the north of the city, just over one kilometre outside of town and just under a mile from the train station. If you don't fancy the walk, there are plenty of buses available that will take you to Friedhof, just a stone's throw from the ground. If you're driving in, the A73 motorway is your best bet, where the Poppenreuth exit will usher you towards the stadium.

Buying tickets

Tickets are available via the club's official website and can be purchased HERE.

Watch on TV

If you can't make it to the stadium, Bundesliga matches are broadcast around the world. ESPN provides coverage in the United States, while BT Sports are the exclusive broadcaster in the United Kingdom. In Germany, Sky Sports show the majority of matches, with DAZN hosting one match per week.

Buying the kit

You can deck yourself out in the green and white of Greuther HERE.

Stateside fan clubs

Although there are several Greuther fan clubs in Germany the club is yet to have a supporters' group in the US. To find out how you could establish the first of its kind, contact the club HERE.