The story of East German DDR-Oberliga football is a complex one, as Ulrich Hesse-Lichtenberger has written: "Most of the things that happened ... seem utterly bizarre and often downright incredible to someone who has grown up in a completely different society." This, perforce, is but a sketch and those wanting further information are directed to Behind the Wall: East German football between state and society, by Mike Dennis, professor of modern German history at the University of Wolverhampton, on which I have drawn heavily. First things first. There were four categories of clubs in East German football: The Dynamos: Connected to the secret police. Every club with the Dynamo prefix (eg Berlin, Dresden) was directly answerable to the head of the Stasi, Erich Mielke, who had little difficulty jumping the "fit and proper person" hurdle.
The Vorwärts, which were overseen by the Ministry of Defence. Big in the 60s.
Good old-fashioned football clubs with no affiliation to secret organisations (eg FC Magdeburg and FC Carl Zeiss Jena).
The Vorwärts, which were overseen by the Ministry of Defence. Big in the 60s.
Good old-fashioned football clubs with no affiliation to secret organisations (eg FC Magdeburg and FC Carl Zeiss Jena).
