Franz John

Lore & Background

Born in Pritzwalk, Brandenburg, John moved with his parents to Pankow, Berlin, and later joined VfB Pankow. After an apprenticeship as a photographer in Jena, he moved to Munich and became a member of 1879 Munich. On 27 February 1900, he led eleven players out of MTV to found Bayern Munich in the restaurant Gisela, becoming its first president. He also founded the council of Bavarian referees. Under his lead, the club joined the South German Football Association in its first year. He left Bayern in 1903 and Munich in 1904, returning to Pankow to open a photo laboratory and later becoming president of VfB Pankow. He was elected honorary president of Bayern Munich in the 1920s and received the club's needle of honour in gold in 1936. He died in Pankow, East Berlin, at age 80, with no descendants. His grave was later traced to Fürstenwalde, and Bayern Munich recreated it with a new tombstone for the club's 100th anniversary in 2000.

In Their Own Story

The meeting room was tense. Franz John, a player and advocate for the sport, had reached his limit. He stood before the group and argued for independence. When the old guard refused, John made his move. He gathered those who shared his vision. Seventeen men signed a declaration of separation. John was elected as the first president. The club had no trophies yet, no stadium, no history. It had only the will to exist on its own terms.

Reader's Guide

Franz John is remembered as the founding president of Bayern Munich, instrumental in the club's early integration into the South German Football Association. His later life saw a return to Berlin and continued involvement with VfB Pankow.

Did You Know?

• John was a photographer by trade, having completed his apprenticeship in Jena.
• He met Gustav Manning at VfB Pankow, who later helped integrate Munich clubs into the German Football Association.
• John had no descendants.