Sorry egozi, but Bayern are not "Red Sharks" this is just a name of a fanclub. They are ultras and not very much liked by the club. Bayern München even expelled some of the members of Red Sharks of the Olympic Stadium. Bayern used to be called "Die Bullen" = The Bulls. But no one calls them like that anymore. Hamburger SV = Rothosen (red trousers)
here's what I would add. A couple more color-based ones: Schalke = royal blues (die Königsblauen) BVB = black & yellows (die Schwarzgelben) others: St. Pauli = Pirates Duisberg = zebras Rostock = Hanseatics? although you could also this for HSV, Bremen, & Lübeck Nürnberg = the Club Hertha Berlin = the old lady? (die alte Dame) Union Berlin = iron Union
Keep in mind that these are not "official" nicknames the way US teams have official, team-sanctioned nicknames. Many US teams even have the nickname as part of their official corporate name. For example, the baseball team in Cleveland's official name is the Cleveland Indians Baseball Co. The BL teams' nicknames seem be have grown organically, for the most part. Gladbach's official name is Borussia Vfl 1900 e.v. Moenchengladbach. The nickname, "Fohlen," as I understand it, arose in the 1970s as a tribute of sorts to its young, fast and talented players, and it has stuck (for the most part). BTW, other nicknames for St. Pauli: Kiez Kickers and Die Totenkopf. And some mascots: Hansa has some funky Viking; Hertha has Herthinho, a Brazilian bear (bear is the symbol of Berlin); Stuttgart has an alligator (why, I have no idea); Nuremberg has a knight; I think Bayer has a lion; Kaiserslautern has Betzi, red devil; Schalke has Erwin(?) (I have no idea what he is), etc. These mascots might have some bearing on nicknames. BTW, aren't Schalke sometimes called the miners (I forget the German word, but I think it begins with K, Knaeppchen or something like that, maybe).
I have a vague recollection (i.e., please don't accept this as bible) that Geissbocke was a degogatory term used to refer to poor (agrarian?) people in the neighborhood/area where the club was initially formed (or maybe where its supporters came from), and over the years, the term became a badge of honor to the club's supporters.
no, a Geissbock is a certain name for a goat, and that's because somebody broght a goat to each game of the FC (another official nickname) so it became their official mascot. Now it is even part of their sign (which is pretty uncommon in german soccer)
Because every pimp and hustla's gotta have some Gators (and we all know, VFB pimps all other slizzhoes) In seriousness, what does the gator have to do with that area of Germany?? Maybe some famous gator at a zoo?? The ferocity of the alligator is the motif for soccer style there??
I´ve never ever heard that Schalke Fans are called Christians. They are called "Knappen", but Christians...? And just cause the pope is a member...?
I would be interested to know any more Werder Bremen nicknames. I know the "green and whites." I think I have heard "river siders" also, because Bremen is on the Weser River, they play in Weserstadion, and Werder is translated (I think) "river isle." If you know anymore nicknames for Bremen, please reply. Thanks.
Might be, but Schalke are not called "The Christians". @ Hunkerdan Never heard of any nickname for Werder Bremen. Wish them good luck for becoming champions this year though (except in the last match against us).
Am I the only one who thinks Pile D was really drunk when he posted that? That was the funniest stuff I've read here since that guy that claimed Bayern won't be hurt if Beckenbauer leaves because he's only one player.
Bayer Leverkusen - "The Fightn' Aspirins of Leverkusen" SV Hamburg - "The Whoppers" Eintracht Frankfurt - "The Sausages" Werder Bremen - "The Ugly-Ass Green-and-Orange Wearers" Bayern - "The Beer Guzzlers"
They've some other names called here: Bayer Leverkusen = The eternal second (loser) Hamburger SV = Fischköppe (Fish heads) Werder Bremen = Fischköppe, Ossis - für Ostfriesen, oder was ist grün und stinkt nach Fisch (what's green and stinks like fish) But please win the league this year. Bayern = FC Arrogance Frankfurt I knew only = The Riederwald gang And with Schalke and Real Madrid, this is no joke, the Pope is member in both clubs, and only in this clubs.
I forgot Hannoverscher SV = HSV oder die Roten (Reds) BV Dortmund = Die Zecken (The Bucks) Hertha = (The Frogs) SC Freiburg = (The Dudes) Kaiserslautern = (The Red Devils) Hansa Rostock = (The Pirates or the Kogge) Mönchengladbach = (Die Fohlen-young horses) Köln = (Dome ********) Stuttgart = (The Dagoberts in Germany-ha) 1860 = (The Lions) 2nd - now Duisburg = (The Zebras) Nürnberg = (The Club) 3rd now St Pauli = (The real Pirates) Fortuna Düsseldorf = What name would you give a club who sponsored by a Punk Band???? Wuppertal, RW Essen, Aachen, Gütersloh and so on- and a lot of other too, but they change their mind so I'm not sure if the old names work.