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Merhaba, Türkiyemspor!


In 1978 a group of first-generation Turkish migrants in the Berlin district of Kreuzberg decided to turn an informal hobby team into a proper club so they could take part in the league football organised by the Berlin Football Association. As most of the founder members came from Izmir, they named their club BFC Izmirspor, which was then renamed Türkiyemspor Berlin in 1986.

"The lack of knowledge of club law, language deficiencies, bureaucracy and the usual war of formalities with various authorities" made things difficult for them. In footballing terms, however, in spite of all the abuse, some of it racist, at the lower levels, the club climbed from the very lowest league right up the third division. The several-time winners of the Berlin cup established a youth development programme, but are also known as a force for integration and a social institution that places particular emphasis on the needs of migrants. The club itself speaks of "work in the community, grassroots work, good community relations, helping people to help themselves, social work, homework classes, educational help, getting people off the streets and its dangers."

Because although 'Türkiyem' means as much as 'my Turkey', the multicultural set-up of the club has always been clear. The first team, for example, developed around players from six different countries and became not only an object of identification for many Turks in Berlin, but also a familiar name throughout the country. In the 1990/91 season Türkiyemspor were, after all, on the brink of promotion to the second division. Their success encouraged Turks in other areas to set up clubs and attracted scouts from professional Turkish clubs. "The club became more and more interesting for German players because the team attracted above-average crowds and therefore generated a lot of media interest", explains former Türkiyemspor player and later coach Thomas Herbst.

While Türkiyemspor are doing well in the fourth division in 2006, they are faced with strong competition from other ethnic Turkish clubs. In 2004 their league rivals SV Yesiljurt won the Sepp Herberger Award for exemplary youth work.