Prior to World War I, Nurnberg built themselves up into one of Germanys most successful teams. In the period following the war, their success evolved into total dominance of the country’s football. From July 1918 to February 1922, Nurnberg went unbeaten in 104 matches. They came to be known simply as “Der Club” in recognition of their skill and style on and off the field, becoming one of the most popular teams in Germany. In the first national championship held after World War I, Nurnberg took on and defeated the reigning champions SpVgg Furth 2-0, claiming the first of 5 titles that the club would capture over the following eight years. The main contributors to this success were a Hungarian pair named Peter Szabo and Alfred Schaffer, the latter is well known for playing for a record number of clubs – 21 in a 15 year career, before going on to become Nurnbergs manager.

 

The 1922 edition of the German Championship final was mired in controversy. With the score against Hamburger SV locked at 2-2 after three hours of play, the match was brought to a close on account of darkness. The replay also went into extra time, and was called at 1-1 when, at a time when substitutions were not allowed, Nurnberg were reduced to just seven men. The referee incorrectly decided that the match could not continue and the German Football Association awarded the win to Hamburger SV with one condition – they must renounce the title in the name of good sportsmanship. Begrudgingly, Hamburger did this, but in the end, the Viktoria trophy was not officially presented that year. By 1927, Nurnbergs dominance was beginning to fade.

 

However, they managed to claim one more trophy in that year. Their slow, deliberate approach did not suit the more quickly paced contest which the game had begun to evolve into, and while they continued to field strong sides, other clubs rose to the forefront of football in Germany. Nurnberg, however, held onto the title of Rekordmeister as the holder of the most championships for over 60 years, until they were overtaken by Bayern Munich in 1987. 5 German football championships, 4 southern German championships, 2 Bavarian district championships, 3 Bezirkliga Bayern championships, 1 Bezirkliga Nordbayern championship and two southern German cups went to Nurnberg during this era.

Achievements: German Football Championship – Champions x5
                        Suddeutsche Meisterschaft – Champions x5
                        Kreisliga Nordbayern – Champions x2
                       Bezirksliga Bayern – Champions x3
                       Bezirksliga Nordbayern – Champions x3

Star player: Alfred Schaffer DoB 13 February 1893, Pozsony, Austria-Hungary
Schaffer was a Hungarian international footballer. He is most famous for playing for a record number of clubs: 21 in a 15 year career from 1910 to 1925. He won three consecutive Hungarian league titles with MTK Budapest and was the top goal scorer in Europe in two of those seasons. After playing, he moved in coaching and led various other teams including Hertha Berlin, 1 FC Nurnberg, Rapid Bucharest, AS Roma and Ferencvaros.