In a world where video games usually dictate the journey from obscurity to greatness, Heidenheim, a modest village club, shattered expectations. They embarked on an audacious quest in 2007, starting from Germany’s fifth tier. Against all odds, they triumphed and secured their first-ever promotion to the illustrious Bundesliga, unlike the Luton Town they were never a part of top division of football. Witness this remarkable tale of Heidenheim’s dramatic rise, defying conventions and etching their name in football history.
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History of Heidenheim FC
In the pivotal year of 2007, a remarkable transformation occurred for Heidenheim. Their former captain, the hometown hero Frank Schmidt, hung up his boots and swiftly transitioned to the role of head coach. Born and bred in Heidenheim, it was a coincidence that amplified the significance of this momentous change.
Schmidt, having made an impressive 112 appearances for his beloved club throughout his career, retired just as Heidenheim stood at a crossroads. This year marked a turning point for various reasons, extending far beyond the departure of their iconic leader.
The club itself finally broke away from its parent organization, Heidenheimer SB, which had thrived as a colossal sports club in Heidenheim since 1972. The two major sports clubs as a whole was called Heidenheimer SB, boasting an array of departments encompassing gymnastics, swimming, and, of course, soccer. The roots of these original sporting clubs can be traced back to 1846, when gymnastics took its first steps, followed by the establishment of the football team in 1911.
Fast forward nearly a century to 2007, and FC Heidenheim boldly branched off to establish an independent entity. This strategic move aimed to ensure compliance with the economic regulations imposed on all professional clubs by the German Football Association. Liberated from the constraints of their parent organization, Heidenheim embarked on a journey of progress and prosperity.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe magic of Frank Schmidt in the success of Heidenheim
In 2004, Heidenheimer SB, soon to be FC Heidenheim, achieved a momentous promotion from the fifth tier of German football to the fourth tier, famously known as the Oberliga Baden-Württemberg. This ascent marked a significant milestone for the club, setting the stage for their future endeavors.
Then, in 2007, a new chapter unfolded as Frank Schmidt, having retired from his playing career, received a momentous call. FC Heidenheim, at the start of the 2007 season, made the bold decision to part ways with their then-coach, Dieter Markle. In a stroke of destiny, they turned to Schmidt, entrusting him with his first coaching role since hanging up his boots just a few months earlier.
With Schmidt at the helm, a new era began. The rest, as they say, is history. The club’s trajectory took a remarkable turn under his leadership, solidifying their place in the annals of football greatness. The decision to bring Schmidt back into the fold proved to be a masterstroke, as he guided FC Heidenheim towards uncharted heights, etching his name in the club’s legacy.
What transpired thereafter is a tale woven with determination, resilience, and unwavering commitment. It is a story that will be forever celebrated in the hearts of Heidenheim faithful, as they witnessed the transformation of their beloved club under the guidance of their former captain turned coach.
Embed from Getty ImagesWith Frank Schmidt at the helm, he steered the ship of FC Heidenheim, engineering a remarkable fourth-place finish ahead of Hoffenheim’s reserve team. The crowning moment came on the final day, as they triumphed with a resounding 5-0 victory over Sheberlingen. This impressive result secured their promotion to the fourth division.
Now, you might be wondering, weren’t they already in the fourth division? In 2008, the Dritte Liga, or the third Bundesliga, was established. In order to retain their position in what would become the fourth division, teams had to secure promotion from the old fourth division. Only the top four teams out of 18 in this league would earn promotion to the new fourth division.
Heidenheim achieved the remarkable distinction of earning promotion from the old fourth division to the new fourth division. Essentially, they had to climb the same number of steps, but it symbolized their continued progress and ascent. You could say they climbed five divisions in less than 20 years, counting it as a promotion from the fifth division or as a fourth-and-a-half division, or even as the fourth division twice. Regardless of the semantics, the magnitude of their achievement remained awe-inspiring.
Heidenheim’s rapid rise epitomized their relentless pursuit of success, scaling the footballing ladder with unwavering determination. In less than two decades, they transformed from a modest village club to a force to be reckoned with, leaving an indelible mark on the footballing world.
After a solid start, Heidenheim found themselves in sixth place after 19 matches in a league that played only 34 games. In a league that only promoted the championship team, they embarked on an astonishing run, winning 13 of their final 15 matches to snatch the title away from Hessen Kassel. This remarkable feat meant that Heidenheim had to win the league to secure promotion, and they accomplished it.
To put their achievement into perspective, Hessen Kassel remained in the same league, showcasing the vast difference in progression between the two clubs. Heidenheim had now climbed two divisions and stood just two steps away from the Bundesliga. The following season, in the much harder third division, they finished just five points away from a promotion playoff spot and less than 10 points away from direct promotion spots.
A dip in performance led to a ninth-place finish in the next season, which is still an impressive result being in the top half of the table. However, Heidenheim’s story was defined by their repeated near-misses. In their third year in the third division, they finished fourth, only one point away from a playoff position, despite a late surge of victories. Jahn Regensburg edged past them to claim the playoff spot and eventual promotion.
The next season brought a major shuffle in the league standings, and Heidenheim found themselves at the bottom of the pack. Remarkably, they did not lose a match after February 16th but drew on the final day, missing out on the playoff opportunity. However, disappointment never deterred Frank Schmidt’s squad. They rallied, and from matchday seven onwards, they embarked on a spectacular season in the 2013-14 campaign, leading the third division with an impressive goal difference.
Their journey took a thrilling turn in the cup competitions. Heidenheim defeated Bayer Leverkusen in the DFB-Pokal round of 16, to go on and face a quarter-final match against Bayern Munich. In a memorable match, they took the lead at halftime, but Bayern fought back to secure a 5-4 victory. Despite the loss, Heidenheim’s cup performances garnered attention and showcased their rapid rise.
The subsequent seasons saw Heidenheim consistently finishing in the upper half of the table but not replicating the near-miss of 2020. However, this changed in the current season. While Luton Town was making waves in the English Championship, Heidenheim quietly remained in the promotion picture. Throughout the season, they remained in third place, and got a playoff spot.
As the season reached its end, three teams were the front-runners: Heidenheim, old rivals Hamburger SV, and Darmstadt. On the last matchday Darmstadt had already clinched a promotion, leaving Heidenheim and Hamburger SV battling for the final automatic promotion spot. The final day produced a drama that will never be forgotten in Germen football
Hamburger SV quickly took the lead in their match, putting themselves in a favorable position. Meanwhile, Heidenheim faced Jan Regensburg, who scored two goals in quick succession to go 2-0 up. It seemed Hamburger SV was destined for Bundesliga promotion, provided they maintained their lead and Jan Regensburg held on. However, an own goal by Jan Regensburg injected new hope into Heidenheim, and they received a penalty in the 93rd minute, which they converted to level the score at 2-2.
Meanwhile, news of Jan Regensburg’s collapse reached Hamburger SV fans, who had stormed the field in celebration of their presumed promotion. In a remarkable twist, Tim Kleindienst, the heartbroken brace scorer from the playoff three years prior, scored in the 99th minute to secure a 3-2 victory for Heidenheim. Darmstadt, having already secured promotion, suffered a heavy defeat, enabling Heidenheim to win the league title on goal difference.
After an incredible journey, the club led by Frank Schmidt, had accomplished the unthinkable. From the sixth division two decades ago, they had secured promotion to the Bundesliga, Germany’s top-tier league. Their rise from obscurity to the pinnacle of German football was nothing short of a fairy tale.
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