FC Union Berlin: 'A rebellious football club in a rebellious city'

BBC Sport's Football Focus visits Bundesliga side FC Union Berlin, a "rebellious" football club from East Berlin with a special set of fans, playing their first season in Germany's top flight 30 years after the fall of the Berlin Wall.
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FC Union Berlin: 'A rebellious football club in a rebellious city'

[@enterthevoid_]

shouting "the wall must go" when there was a free kick is actually genius

[@berlinwhite]

Done by supporters of ALL GDR Oberliga clubs then, including even BFC Dynamo. That Union were anything special in that respect is nothing but a myth. But they sure know how to market this better than anybody else. :D

[@dennis141288]

@@berlinwhite no one claimed they were the only ones?! Also, Union openly opposed the system, were as Dynamo was supported by the system, so gtfo.

[@rostermaan1321]

@@dennis141288 eisern!

[@berlinwhite]

@@dennis141288 Complete and utter bollocks, that. You obviously don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about, petal.

[@Uhrensohn289]

@@berlinwhite nope he’s right

[@scotttodd2346]

Respect from 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿👏 i officially have a German team now 👏

[@vijaysiv]

I am from Australia 🇦🇺 I saw this vid a year ago And now I am a union berlin fan Eisern Union

[@freeman1985ify]

Me too. But I'm from Brazil 🇧🇷 😂 Go eisern union berlin 😜

[@IloveBB95]

I am Stuttgart supporter but getting relegated against Union was basically the only thing that made me less sad on that day.

[@vlxxyz1197]

I'm so proud to be part of this unbelievable club. With my young 17 years, I'm already a fan since more than 10 years, when I was there with my father in the 2nd Bundesliga. I was Unioner, I am Unioner and I will be Unioner forever! I love this club with all my passion, like nothing else. U.N.V.E.U. Very good representation of Union Berlin, nice video!

[@eartlostfreak2]

EISERN

[@thehouse866]

And a 5-0 win today💪🔥

[@mattpryokra2245]

The love and rebellion passion from you and the supporters is insanely admirable and beautiful… No club like yours ❤

[@mulsenhfk]

You are in the bundesliga!

[@doger6425]

I support Liverpool and I too love my team, I hadn't heard of union until they played in the bunders. I've watches this video at least 10 times, I admire everything this club stands for. As I said I love my club, now I love union too ❤

[@alexevo8016]

As a romanian who loves ultras phenomenon, I fell in love with Union two years ago, when the club was "Zweite". The vibe of Alten Försterei was special, as the english guy said, the walking through the forest, near the stadium, the FanShop from Kopenick, the grills around the stadium, families going to the game, supporters of all ages. The sensation was fantastic! Then, going to a Hertha game, I realized what the atmosphere on Alten Försterei means an why is unique! At Hertha game I found a larger number of supporters, but I did not live the same passion.

[@thehouse866]

HAI ROMANIA💪🔥

[@lou.-c.7659]

I was born in Berlin, so please don't pay attention to spelling. (English is not quite so mine) I've been going to union since I'm half a year old and that's never going to change because union isn't a normal football club because you're like a family on game days, whether it's a player, coach, folder or fan... you're just one of them. That's what I love so much and will always love! AND NEVER FORGET EISERN UNION!🔴⚪

[@maxkleist04]

Union is special bro. Greetings from Polonia Warszawa (Warschau) ♥️

[@jontiswe]

Respect from Sweden, love the story, a unique and special club truly, hope they can stay up in the Bundesliga! And nice to see a Swedish player in here, haha.

[@hansmeiser1200]

unser stolz is not translated to strength . its our PRIDE

[@thomasw.4156]

TRUE

[@epultimast]

ich und mein, ich und mein, ich und mein STOLZ

[@paulmeinhardt5854]

Eisern❤

[@leehaiko3999]

I thought the same, but I guess they thought the audience would freak hearing Germans having pride about anything

[@CharleyCoug]

As a Portland Timbers fan in the States, I am always into a club that takes on the status quo and acts as a force for change. Union really sets the example for others to follow, I finally have a Bundesliga team to cheer for!

[@NazriB]

Lies again? UP BS

[@mintygamer6257]

I love the German Language and Accent!

[@dreisaum9916]

@Greg Bray funny greg, funny

[@depeggyausnosten9435]

Danke aber du kennst bestimmt nicht sächsisch ;)

[@Phynne85]

Gern geschehen! 😉

[@Sanginius23]

The Trainer is Swiss and has this very special swiss gernan accent

[@henning8737]

@Greg Bray I mean German doesn´t sound that harsh.

[@nielsjunker1487]

Beautiful video i would love to see a match one day great respect from Denmark

[@barrybas]

My German isn't brilliant, though I thought 'Stolz' meant 'pride' rather than 'strength' it's translated as in the subtitles? Despite that, a wonderful video of the place I fell in love with Union in 2006 while working for a year as an assistant teacher, when the club was just coming out of the doldrums of the regional leagues after almost going to the wall. Certainly wasn't as trendy as it is now, but the club still has that feeling of a working-class club that has its supporters at its heart. Brings a tear to the eye that they've made it to the Bundesliga and are battling away in true Union style.

[@defdfdsyw]

Strathcarnage Lackadaisical you are absoulte right

[@TenGallonMelon]

Stolz = Pride 🔴⚪️😊

[@mariusmatei2946]

Right!? I can't claim that I'm a German speaker, but I've known that "strength" is "stärke" (in German).

[@maxkleist04]

that's what Union means be together, fans and players during good time and bad time.

[@piemvanberg1850]

Far from home, still EISERN UNION! from Yokohama

[@sUsHiDeStOdEs]

sugoi!

[@rostermaan1321]

Eisern! grüße aus der Mutterstadt

[@liammoore2479]

I didn’t have a favourite German side, I do now...

[@Nabend1402]

Good choice. From a Mainz fan.

[@davidoldham1545]

Me to this Welshman is going to follow Union Berlin what an amazing club you are now my german team this club has morals:)

[@Phynne85]

There are plenty but Union is a good choice. Union in Berlin, St Pauli in Hamburg, Fc Ohmstede in Oldenburg.

[@strumbadstroller7350]

As a working class bloke whose mum & dad grew up in poverty in the East end of London, this club resonates with me. Also, as a West Ham fan, born in '61, I remember as a kid being in the stand with Dockers, factory workers etc. Football was a working class sport back then. It seems that Union is still that way. I hope to go there, one day.

[@rostermaan1321]

@@strumbadstroller7350 its so sad that the premier league lost this feeling...greetings from berlin

[@claymadness]

Love from 🇮🇳. After last season, I can’t wait to see Union scale new heights this season!

[@Agrippa1000]

Thanks to the BBC for this nice report. That makes me proud to be a fan of this club!

[@EdwinLudwig87]

A very special football club with a great tradition. Thats more than love - you see the fans and supporters and you feel the glow in their hearts

[@paulmeinhardt5854]

Im crying right now...Eiserne liebe❤ greetings from Köpenick ❤

[@nirmalanadella5995]

lot to learn from this football culture love from India

[@gisellelee1854]

I love the connection among the club,fans and players.Really brilliant.

[@stevenjenkins1983]

I hope to one day experience a matchday at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei. Amazing club.

[@bimboschmutz4002]

Just get a ticket and come

[@Zockania]

@@bimboschmutz4002 not easy to get a ticket at the moment XD

[@eartlostfreak2]

@@Zockania leider

[@nicktankard1244]

@@bimboschmutz4002 I'm a member of the club and it's hard to get a ticket even for members this year. There is a lottery among members every time. I managed to visit 2 league games this year.

[@Paul-sc1xr]

Union goes International

[@tl2245]

Amazing story. Union Berlin represents the workers, quite moved.

[@luigizando4758]

My highlight: the communications director of the worker’s club Union is called Christian Arbeit, which translated means „Christian Work“ lol

[@pollux442]

Yes he lives his Work! ;)

[@caxzrockz]

We need more of this in football

[@yo-yo]

Great video, which reflects very well the feeling of this football club and its fans.

[@mister3566]

Love from Manchester and FC United

[@mrnobody4237]

I never really had a favourite German club. Until now. Much respect from Leeds MOT (Marching on together, or Zusammen marschieren)

[@berlinwhite]

They're my Berlin club´s (Dynamo) arch rivals, so you might want to reconsider your choice. 😉 Regards from Berlin Whites. WAFLL

[@Nabend1402]

@@berlinwhite Not much of a rivalry. You might never play each other again...

[@berlinwhite]

@@Nabend1402 Well, you never know. Things might change, and nothing is set in stone forever... That said, rivalries don't just die. They (even the younger ones, who've never seen the two clubs compete) dislike BFC just as much as BFC dislike them. Fact. Btw, the comment above was meant to be mild banter between two fans of the mighty Whites that are LUFC.

[@mrnobody4237]

@@berlinwhite hello mate, only just seen your replies, I got it :-) but you know what it's like when you chose your club, you can't just chop and change as you please lol. I just have massive respect for the effort put in by their fans (as maybe you even do deep deep down, as a football fan) You living in Berlin now bro?

[@berlinwhite]

@@mrnobody4237 I was only joking. I have loads of mates who support them (including Jacob who is in the video). I respect their achievements. As said before, they are where they are now on merit. The only thing that pisses me off no end is that myth about them having been an oppositional club in GDR times which, quite frankly, is complete and utter bollocks. That said, there's massive animosity between Union and BFC. Probably on the same scale as between us and Scum. :D MOT I`m from Berlin, born and bred. PS: Have you seen the article on the Berlin Whites in the YEP?

[@tomwilson5108]

Clubs in Germany arnt scared to be different. In England there are too many copy and paste teams with copy paste songs and banners

[@reversegoatee5997]

Tom Owain it’s very different though. English fans are not that organized, still it is amazing how humor is part of supporting and enjoying the game. On top of that: I am sure that if beer was allowed in English stadiums, there would be more passionate atmosphere 😂

[@berlinwhite]

@@reversegoatee5997 I'd take English football banter over choreographed German ultra support any day of the week tbh. MOT

[@Salzundpfeffer3000]

Really nice video about us. Thank you. Eisern Union!

[@stefanus1968]

Seit ich 6 Jahre alt war, war ich Fan vom FC Bayern - nehmt mir das nicht übel, aber das ist halt so. Jetzt sehe ich Union Berlin wo Fans das Eigene Stadion bauen. Das hat damals in München auch so angefangen. Ich wünsche dem FC Union und allen seinen Mitgliedern und Fans von Herzen das allerbeste für die Zukunft. Bleibt wie ihr seid. Bleibt die Eisernen - und tretet gelegentlich den Anderen in den Arsch, damit Sie auch mal wissen wo Sie herkommen.

[@user-ve7hn2dh8h]

Was hat bei den Bayern auch so angefangen? Bayern hat das Stadion in dem eigentlich die 60er (damals noch der größere Klub) spielen sollten, bekommen weil die Münchner Politik korrupt war. der FC Bayern der 60er und 70er Jahre war an sich korrupt wie Sau. Hatte Schwarzkonten in der Schweiz usw

[@ithaca4201]

@@user-ve7hn2dh8h Von welchem Stadion redest du da?

[@rebosen]

Union: The label for good old football culture!

[@kennyguitarallen5662]

been there 8 times it's excellent

[@bryanpereira7321]

Great Supporter ... Great Club ....greeting from Sleman city

[@OhAyeProductions]

Watched this video a few weeks ago and I've watched every game since then, union has acquired another fan. Was showing my friend this today after the 2-1 victory against RB and we have decided we are going to fly over to see a game and meet the fans in the near future. Awesome club. Makes it better being red and white like my local team aberdeen fc 👌

[@nandocolecciones3439]

Wow! Impresionante desde ya otro fan más EIRSEN UNION ! Add another UNION fan from guatemala 🇬🇹 🇩🇪

[@olddog3767]

as an old supporter seeing this documentary i had to cry like a baby, but that is one of our sides ! we are normal, we are loud, we are lovin, we are proud, we are union crowd ;)

[@julee2460]

this is not a team, this is my family, and never forget EISERN UNION

[@hundamstrand1966]

Thanks for this great movie! Eisern Union!

[@herthadynasty2945]

Toll dass das weihnachtssingen mit dabei ist

[@mescaliiiiine]

Feels good to see a club like Union Berlin making it to Bundesliga, and not another investor's walking wallet.

[@armaan_7]

Now top of the Bundesliga after 11 games. What a rise for these guys!

[@berlinerpyro5808]

Since I'm 5 years old, so for 16 years I go to Union. Every game is indescribable. I love this Club 🔴⚪️

[@rickyseilert637]

Respekt

[@antoinewyss]

Absolutely impressive! One thing about the translation in the beginning and the end: "unser Stolz" means our pride, not our strength as seen in the caption.

[@exilunionerheilbronn332]

Tolles Video! Danke 🔴⚪️

[@oliopetrolio3092]

Christian Arbeit. Nomen est Omen. Brillianter Mensch! Gänsehaut! EISERN!!!!

[@mickser101]

What an amazing Football Club Union Berlin are. Take note Premier League

[@keulegameplay9444]

Mega geil hab gänsehait bekommen😍💪🏻🇮🇩

[@dasbose4962]

Here a Berliner, living in Scotland and preparing my things to go back for good :)

[@paulenn6155]

Leck mich am arsch Unser Union Ich bin am Heulen 😢 Viele Grüße aus Friedrichshagen

[@herthadynasty2945]

Gibt's sowas auch für Hertha 😉

[@berlinaquaristikundangeln3742]

@@herthadynasty2945 was laberst dz haha

[@berlinaquaristikundangeln3742]

Für immer union und fsv 🔴⚪

[@Zockania]

haha, da bin ich zur Schule gegangen

[@berlinaquaristikundangeln3742]

@@Zockania welche genau?

[@ab18videosguggn]

feel free to come to our stadium :)

[@mistervanbuuren]

Is klar. Ihr kriegt ja nicht mal alle eure eigenen Leute unter. 24T Kapazität, nur 2400 Auswärtskarten. Das sowas überhaupt BL spielen darf. Brauchste ja keen einladen kommste eh nicht rin.

[@McFlysWorld]

Wat Svenne sagt, is Hart aber wahr!

[@mistervanbuuren]

@@McFlysWorld du is nicht mal böse gemeint. Aber zu uns könnt ihr alle kommen und dort muss man an Verlosungen teilnehmen. Und son 45T Tempel in Köpenick? Warum nicht...

[@luggims2016]

@@mistervanbuuren Olympiastadion 2020 see ya👍🔵⚪

[@luggims2016]

@@McFlysWorld ist ja nicht mal böse gemeint aber die Alte Försterei ist nur ein Schuppen im Vergleich zum Olympia Stadion

[@Micd04]

Gewerkschaft sind die beste Mannschaft der Welt. Eisern Union! 🔴⚪️

[@abracadabra6572]

A proper football club. ❤️

[@juvenilegolden]

Been a fan for the last two seasons. Hope they dont mind new fans :)

[@adilalnashmisalim8418]

Ich kann union nicht vergessen. Ich vermisse euch alle

[@bloodboughtbigphilr8266]

A proper football club of the people for the people.

[@pontusthunman]

I went to the last game of the season 5 years ago and let me tell you there is no other fotball stadium like this one! So much noice. You really need to visit to understand what these fans are all about.

[@berlinwhite]

Not a patch on Elland Road tbh.

[@MarkoPlatin]

Our "Wohnzimmer" 🇮🇩🥳

[@castra58]

Unser Liebe Unser Verein Union Berlin. Eisern!

[@brendanroe8604]

What a club

[@cal-efc8062]

Stand on the terrace have a pint supporting your local team the Germans are living the football dream. Sadly English football isn’t the same an is slowly dying

[@fraserhill7720]

Love the celtic flag at the end with the guy crying.

[@sashasojen2640]

my personal dream: Union vs Liverpool a fair match at the pitch and we all shaking hands. Eisern

[@radurozor4742]

Impressive! I use to go to Rapid Bucharest games wich are quite the same concept( anti-system club) but it doesn't compare to Union story.

[@stephencalvert6040]

I love this club!

[@MyWreckedUm]

THIS IS A REAL CLUB!

[@leRelix]

U.N.V.E.U🇮🇩 STADTMEISTER!

[@michaelmyers2434]

Leo T. Eisern 👍

[@exilunionerheilbronn332]

EISERN! Berlin ist und bleibt Rot!! 🔴⚪️

[@luggims2016]

Scheiß Union Berlin bleibt blau 🔵⚪

[@BourbonKid]

@@luggims2016 nope. Berlin ist und bleibt Rot.

[@TheBulltown13]

@@luggims2016 Scheiss Hertha

[@dreisaum9916]

Our Pride, not our strengh. Cmon bbc, what are u doing

[@grahamfoster8446]

Remarkable football club and people only wish clubs in England where nothing but money matters could have the same connections with their fans.

[@winkler5580]

EISERN UNION! EISERN UNION!

[@TokeE420]

Respect from Australia. Our sports clubs usto be local and know leagues have ruined and taken over by Yankee franchises. I wish we could return to local footy!

[@vijaysiv]

Is it wierd I like union,dynamo Dresden and Bayer Leverkusen

[@timcqb3100]

if you come to berlin you will notice here there is only Hertha

[@mihaelkheel7833]

Salute this club🫡

[@Razor-fv2tv]

I don't think there are many football fans in Germany (Hertha fans excluded) who don't have a small place in their hearts for Union.

[@znnead3157]

Union ist Liebe!

[@CloudArtZ15]

I’m a Hamburg supporter but this club... I really like them especially after that one season in the same league. Union is very unique in Germany

[@JohnSmith-kd6ip]

There is another unique club in Germany. Have you heard of St. Pauli? It's in Hamburg too....

[@CloudArtZ15]

John Smith fuck st. Pauli

[@mulmusfistus4128]

@@JohnSmith-kd6ip nobody liles the peasants from st. Pauli

[@khireddinenazim47]

can anyone give me the link of the documentary pls ?

[@johnmiller9953]

you just watched it

[@khireddinenazim47]

only 10 minutes ?@@johnmiller9953

[@DanielKleine-Kraneburg]

Who cutted onions here in the commentary section...? Please stop.

[@ewa_fj6958]

union is my love! EISERN

[@1oo1optimus]

Watch the copa 90 Derby days.. That's how you do it bbc

[@peterlind6237]

Eiserne Grüsse aus Oslo vom Bamseklubb Union Berlin

[@yudhst]

I thought this was Copa 90

[@duncanboyf4175]

English Premier league teams. Are you watching? This team will be around in 100 years time. I'm not so sure the fantasy bubble of the above teams will. Great stuff Union.

[@Chrxs1105]

Unsere Liebe eisern union 🔴⚪❤

[@EHLEmojo]

AWESOME VIDEO ! ! ! U.N.V.E.U

[@matthimurasch8397]

Union und Uli Höneß- das gibts nur diese Saison danach nicht mehr wenn er wirklich bei Bayern aufhört

[@Charlizzie]

6:35 Onion! 😁😂

[@maxdethlefs5995]

Was this a collaboration with copa90, or why did these two channels publish very similar videos using the same football historian expert over the course of 1 week

[@Manivilization]

how many english historians of german football teams do u think there are

[@timkuttler4773]

Egal in welcher Liga wir auch spielen, Union ist und bleibt meine Champions League...

[@aydncip4394]

türkiyeden selamlar karşıyaka spor kulübü taraftarları

[@adriankasic8541]

Bei 9:25 wird die Freiburg-Choreo gezeigt. Ich glaub da wurde was verwechselt :) NurDerSCF

[@ErsinGaga]

Das wussten die. Es ging in dem Teil um die Atmosphäre im Stadion. Freiburg ist außerdem auch ein sympathischer Club der sich treu bleibt. Viel Erfolg im Kampf um Europa :)

[@spandauleon]

Eisern Union!

[@kaymichaelis21]

The best Team in Berlin.....in Germany. EISERN

[@wallykays5631]

Union Berlin reminds me of St. Pauli

[@ErsinGaga]

If you mean the punky mentality, it's Not really comparable. Union was built up by people who were workers and anti Establishment. St. Pauli was a Club that's been a Nobody in an area with a Lot of Punks. One day the Punks went to the Stadium and thus St. Pauli became what it is today.

[@berlinwhite]

@@ErsinGaga Seriously, this workers and anti establishment stuff is nothing but a myth. Complete and utter bollocks, that.

[@mikevandike8625]

Eisern Union 💪🏻

[@gehtdinichtsan309]

waving the official flag of austria (seen around 0:11-0:12) seems a bit weird, given that this is a club in berlin, germany. also it's possibly illegal.

[@JohnSmith-kd6ip]

They have two Austrian players on their squad (Flecker, Trimmel). It's not uncommon to see flags of player's nations in stadiums. And why would it be illegal?!?

[@gehtdinichtsan309]

@@JohnSmith-kd6ip i'm aware of the two austrian players; and yes, there's a law in austria prohibiting regular people from using the official national flag.

[@mulmusfistus4128]

@@gehtdinichtsan309 but this in germany tho

[@soccer2093]

VFL&FCU für immer brüder💪💚❤