VfL Bochum
A historic German club with a tenacious spirit, currently competing in the 2. Bundesliga.
Verein für Leibesübungen Bochum 1848 Fußballgemeinschaft, commonly referred to as VfL Bochum, is a German professional association football club based in the city of Bochum, North Rhine-Westphalia. They currently play in the 2. Bundesliga following relegation from the Bundesliga in the previous season.
Quick Facts
- Region
- North Rhine-Westphalia (Ruhr Area)
- Primary rivalry type
- Regional/Industrial
- Historical significance
- High within the West German football landscape
- Key era
- Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga encounters since the 1970s
- Atmosphere
- Intense
- passionate
- and often decisive in relegation or promotion battles
Lore & Background
VfL Bochum is one of the oldest sports organisations in the world, claiming an origin date of 26 July 1848. The club was formally established on 18 February 1849, dissolved in December 1851, reestablished on 19 June 1860, and reorganized in May 1904. A football department was formed on 31 January 1911. Mergers and splits occurred in 1919 and 1924. The current club VfL Bochum was formed on 14 April 1938 under the Nazi regime. During World War II, VfL became part of the wartime side Kriegsspielgemeinschaft VfL 1848/Preußen Bochum. After the war, the football section resumed play as independent VfL Bochum 1848. The club won the 2. Bundesliga in 2020–21, earning promotion to the Bundesliga, where they stayed for four seasons. In the 2023–24 season, they won a relegation playoff against Fortuna Düsseldorf. The following season, Bochum were relegated after a 4–1 defeat against Mainz 05.
Reader's Guide
Michael Lameck holds the record for most appearances with the club at the top level with 596 appearances between 1972 and 1988. The player with the most all-time goals for VfL Bochum is Hans Walitza, who scored 135 goals in 198 appearances between 1969 and 1974. The player with the most assists in VfL Bochum's history is Dariusz Wosz, who recorded 82 assists in 383 competitive appearances for the club.
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