History of FC Basel (1918–1939) facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Fussball Club Basel 1893 has a long and exciting history in Swiss football, starting way back in 1893. For most of this time, FCB has played at the highest level of football in Switzerland. Today, they play in the Swiss Super League. The club was founded on November 15, 1893.

This part of the club's story covers the years between the two World Wars. It also tells about the start of the Swiss Cup. FC Basel didn't win a trophy for a long time. It took them 40 years to win their first big prize. They finally won the Swiss Cup in 1933, beating their rivals Grasshopper Club Zürich in the final.

Chart of FC Basel table positions in the Swiss football league system

The Basel Coat of Arms, FC Basel's Original logo

After the First World War
- Starting Fresh (1918–19 Season)
- New Leaders, New Opponents (1919–20 Season)
The Och Cup and Challenges
The Swiss Cup Begins
See also

After the First World War

Starting Fresh (1918–19 Season)

The World War I was still happening when the Swiss football season began. August Rossa became the club's new chairman. Otto Kuhn was the team captain. FC Basel played 30 matches this season. 14 were league games, and 16 were friendly matches. Most friendly games were against other Swiss teams because of the war.

After the war ended in November 1918, Basel played a German team, Freiburger FC, in May 1919. Basel won nine of these friendly games and lost six.

The league was split into three groups: East, Central, and West. Each group had eight teams. FC Basel was in the Central group with other Basel teams, Nordstern and Old Boys. Basel didn't have a great season, losing six games. They finished in fifth place with 13 points.

New Leaders, New Opponents (1919–20 Season)

Bernard Klingelfuss became the club's new chairman. Otto Kuhn stayed as team captain. Basel played a lot of matches this season, 44 in total. 14 were league games, and 30 were friendly matches.

Many of these friendly games were against teams from other countries. Basel played five German teams, even traveling to Germany. They also visited Italy during the winter break, playing against famous clubs like Genoa C.F.C. and SG Andrea Doria. They also hosted teams from Austria and Hungary. A famous Hungarian player, Alfréd Schaffer, joined Basel in April 1920. He scored 27 goals in 20 games!

The league was still divided into three groups. Basel was in the Central group again. This season, FC Basel played well. They won seven matches, drew four, and only lost three. They finished in second place with 18 points.

The Och Cup and Challenges

A Tough Season (1920–21 Season)

Franz Rinderer became chairman again, and Walter Dietrich was the team captain. Basel played 40 matches, including 14 league games and a playoff. They also played 25 friendly matches. Many of these friendlies were against German teams, and they even played against Juventus from Italy.

The league was still in three regional groups. Basel had a very difficult league season. They lost eight of their first ten games! They only avoided finishing last by winning a playoff against Luzern. They ended the season with only six points, winning just two league matches.

The Och Cup Begins (1921–22 Season)

Carl Burkhardt took over as chairman. Basel played 28 matches this season: 14 league games, one Och Cup match, and 13 friendly games. Most friendly games were against German teams.

The league was still in three regional groups. Basel finished in third place in their group with 15 points. They won six matches, drew three, and lost five.

The Och Cup was a new competition, like an early version of the Swiss Cup. Basel played their first Och Cup game away against FC Olten but lost 4–0 and were knocked out. Another Basel team, Concordia Basel, won the cup that year.

No Swiss Champion (1922–23 Season)

Karl Ibach became chairman for his second time. The club hired Max Breunig, a former German international player, as their coach. Basel played 32 matches, including 14 league games and 18 friendly matches. They won nine friendly games and scored 45 goals.

The league was still in three regional groups. Basel finished in fourth place with 15 points.

There was a big problem this season. After a game against BSC Young Boys, there were arguments between the coach, players, and fans. The Swiss Football Association investigated and gave out fines and bans. Later, there was another issue with ineligible players. Because of these problems and delays, no Swiss championship was awarded for the 1922–23 season.

Struggling to Score (1923–24 Season)

Karl Ibach remained chairman, and Max Breunig continued as coach. Basel played 30 matches: 16 league games and 14 friendly matches.

The league system changed slightly, with more teams and nine teams per group. Basel was in the Central group, which now had four teams from Basel. Basel started the season poorly, losing four of their first five games. They finished in third place with 18 points.

The main problem was scoring goals. Basel only scored 16 goals in 16 league matches. Otto Kuhn was their top league scorer with just four goals.

The Swiss Cup Begins

The First Swiss Cup (1925–26 Season)

Carl Burkhardt became chairman again. The team didn't have a head coach, so captain Karl Bielser led the training. Basel played 33 matches: 16 league games, two Swiss Cup games, and 15 friendly matches. A big highlight was playing against Huddersfield Town from England, who had won their league three times in a row. Basel lost that game 5–1.

The league was still in three groups. Basel was in the Central group with other local teams. They had a good run of 12 games without a loss but finished in second place, nine points behind Young Boys. Arnold Hürzeler was their top league scorer with eight goals.

This season, the very first Swiss Cup tournament was held! In the first round, Basel won big against FC Horgen, with Arnold Hürzeler scoring six goals in an 8–1 win. However, they were knocked out in the next round by Aarau after a coin toss decided the winner. Grasshopper Club won the first Swiss Cup.

Another Cup Try (1926–27 Season)

Franz Rinderer became chairman for his third time. Karl Bielser continued as team captain and coach. Basel played 32 matches: 16 league games, one Swiss Cup game, and 15 friendly matches.

In the league, Basel finished in fourth place. They won eight matches, drew three, and lost five.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel played against their rivals Old Boys in the first round but lost 0–2 and were eliminated. Grasshopper Club won the cup again.

Early Cup Exit (1927–28 Season)

Karl Junker was briefly chairman, then Karl Ibach took over again. Karl Bielser was captain, but later Peter Riesterer became captain and coach. Basel played 27 matches: 16 league games, one Swiss Cup game, and 10 friendly matches.

In the league, Basel had a good season. They won ten matches and finished in third place, just two points behind group winners Nordstern.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel lost their first game 0–1 against Young Fellows Zürich and were knocked out.

Hiring a Professional Coach (1928–29 Season)

Hans Rupprecht became the new chairman. The club hired Gyula Kertész, a former Hungarian international player, as their coach. He was only the third professional coach the club had ever had. This decision was made because local rivals Nordstern had been more successful. Basel played 29 matches: 16 league games, three Swiss Cup games, and 10 friendly matches.

The league was very competitive. After a loss in the first game, the team improved a lot under the new coach, winning eight of the next ten matches. They were at the top of the table thanks to goals from Alfred Schlecht, Karl Bielser, and Alfred Enderlin. However, a surprising loss to Concordia and some draws meant they finished in second place, just one point behind Young Boys. Basel scored 48 league goals. Karl Bielser was the top scorer with 15 goals.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel won two early rounds but were knocked out by Concordia Basel in the second round.

Reaching the Finals (1929–30 Season)

Former player Otto Kuhn became the new chairman. Gyula Kertész continued as coach. He led the team in 41 matches: 20 league games (including qualification and final rounds), four Swiss Cup games, and 17 friendly matches. They won 25 of these games and scored 132 goals!

The league was still in three groups. Basel had a great league season. They won their first five games in a row, scoring many goals. They finished top of their group with 24 points.

Basel then went to the final group stage. They won one game but lost three against Lugano, Grasshopper Club, and Servette. Servette won the championship, and Basel finished in fourth place.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel won their first three matches but lost to FC Locarno in the second round.

Another Final Round (1930–31 Season)

Otto Kuhn remained chairman. Former player Gustav Putzendopler became the new coach. He led the team in 31 matches: 23 league games (qualification and final rounds), one Swiss Cup game, and seven friendly matches.

The league groups now had 11 teams. Basel played well, losing only one of their first nine games. They finished tied for first place in their group with Nordstern. Basel won a playoff game against Nordstern to reach the final round. Leopold Kielholz was their top league scorer with 19 goals.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel lost their first game against FC Locarno in extra time, 4–5, and were knocked out.

A New League Structure (1931–32 Season)

Franz Rinderer became chairman again. Coach Gustav Putzendopler stayed, and Otto Haftl, an Austrian international, joined as Basel's first fully professional foreign player. He also became player-manager after Putzendopler left. Basel played 35 matches: 16 league games, six Swiss Cup games, and 13 friendly matches.

The league was renamed "Nationalliga" and was now split into two groups of nine teams from all over Switzerland, not just regions. Basel started very badly, losing their first five games and letting in 27 goals. They changed their coach and players. Things improved in the second half of the season, and they avoided relegation.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel won several rounds, beating lower-tier teams and Lugano. They reached the semi-final but lost badly, 1–8, to Grasshopper Club. The Grasshoppers went on to win the cup.

First National Trophy! (1932–33 Season)

It took FC Basel 40 years to win their first major trophy!

Franz Rinderer continued as chairman. Karl Kurz, an Austrian former international, became the new head coach. Basel played 39 matches: 15 league games, seven in a special "Challenge National" competition, six Swiss Cup games, and 11 friendly matches.

There was a special "Challenge National" championship played in winter. Basel finished fifth in their group.

The main league was still in two groups of eight teams. Basel finished second in their group, five points behind Grasshopper Club. Basel played a playoff game against Servette to reach the finals but lost 3–4, even though Otto Haftl scored three goals.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel had a fantastic run! They won against local rivals Concordia Basel (4–2), Blue Stars Zürich (3–0), and AC Bellinzona (3–2 after extra time). They beat Lugano 4–2 in the quarter-final. In the semi-final, they had a high-scoring 5–3 victory against Lausanne-Sport.

Basel reached the Final, which was played in Zürich. Basel won 4–3 against their big rivals and current cup holders, Grasshoppers! Otto Haftl scored two goals, and Alfred Jaeck and Walter Müller each scored one. This was FC Basel's first ever national title, a truly historic win!

A Sad Loss and New Coach (1933–34 Season)

Franz Rinderer was chairman for the third time. Austrian coach Karl Kurz continued for his second season. Sadly, Kurz was ill with leukaemia and passed away on November 26, 1933, at just 35 years old. Josef Haist took over as head coach. Basel played 46 matches: 30 league games, four Swiss Cup games, and 12 friendly matches.

The league was reformed again. For the first time, all 16 teams were in one big group. Basel started well, winning six of their first nine games. After Coach Kurz's death, the team struggled, losing five of their next seven matches. But they improved again and finished the season in fifth place.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel won their first three matches. They beat Solothurn, Lausanne-Sport, and local rivals Nordstern Basel. However, they lost to FC Locarno in the quarter-final. Grasshopper Club won the cup.

New Coach, Strong Start (1934–35 Season)

Franz Rinderer was chairman for his fourth season. Richard (Dombi) Kohn from Austria was appointed as the new coach. Basel played 38 matches: 26 league games, five Swiss Cup games, and seven friendly matches. They played against famous international teams like Racing Club Paris, Manchester City, and Rapid Wien in friendly games.

The league had 14 teams. Basel started very well, winning nine of their first eleven games. But the second half of the season was not as good, and they finished in fifth place.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel reached the semi-final. They beat Bellinzona, St. Gallen, Chiasso, and Lugano. But they lost to local rivals Nordstern Basel in the semi-final. Lausanne-Sport won the cup and the league that year.

A Difficult Season (1935–36 Season)

Franz Rinderer continued as chairman for his fifth season. Alwin Riemke became the new team manager. He also played four matches for the team. Basel played 38 matches: 26 league games, one Swiss Cup game, and 11 friendly matches.

The league had 14 teams. Basel had a very average season and finished in 10th place. They won only eight of their 26 games.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel lost their first game at home against Luzern and were knocked out. Young Fellows Zürich won the cup.

Avoiding Relegation (1936–37 Season)

Emil Junker became the new club chairman. Heinz Körner was appointed as the new team manager, but he left during the season. Fernand Jaccard then took over as player-manager, becoming the club's first Swiss professional coach. Basel played 40 matches: 26 league games, one Swiss Cup game, and 13 friendly matches.

The league had 13 teams, and two teams would be relegated. Basel had a very poor and inconsistent season. Only four wins in a row near the end helped them. They finished tied for second-to-last place. This meant they had to play a playoff game against La Chaux-de-Fonds to avoid relegation. The first game was a draw, so they played again. Basel won the replay 1–0, staying in the top league at the very last moment!

In the Swiss Cup, Basel lost their first game at home against local rivals Concordia Basel and were knocked out. Grasshopper Club won both the league and the cup.

A Top Scorer (1937–38 Season)

Emil Junker continued as chairman. Fernand Jaccard stayed on as player-manager. Basel played 33 matches: 22 league games, three Swiss Cup games, and eight friendly matches.

The league had 12 teams. Basel had a consistent season, winning 12 games and drawing three. They finished in fourth place. The young forward Numa Monnard, who joined at the start of the season, was amazing! He was the team's top goal scorer with 20 goals in the league, making him the league's top scorer overall. He scored in each of his first eight league games! In total, he scored 34 goals in 29 games for Basel.

In the Swiss Cup, Numa Monnard scored five goals in the first round and three goals in the next round. However, Basel lost 0–1 to Grasshopper Club in the round of 16. The Grasshoppers went on to win the cup.

First Relegation (1938–39 Season)

Emil Junker was chairman for his third season. The club was facing financial and sporting problems. Fernand Jaccard continued as player-manager. Basel played 29 matches: 22 league games, two Swiss Cup games, and five friendly matches.

The club had problems with the Swiss Football Association and also financial difficulties. A key player, Numa Monnard, left the club at the start of the season.

12 teams played in the league. Despite being well-prepared, the season was very bad for FC Basel. They won only five of their 22 league games and lost 12. They finished in last place. For the first time in the club's history, FC Basel was relegated to the second-tier league.

In the Swiss Cup, Basel won their first game against local rivals Concordia Basel (3–2). But in the second round, they lost 1–3 to Brühl St. Gallen and were knocked out.