SSVg Velbert

SSVg Velbert is a German association football club located in Velbert, North Rhine-Westphalia. The club was founded in 1902 as Velberter FC 02 and marks itself as the third oldest football club in the region.

History

Early predecessors

Several other predecessor sides figure in the club's history. In 1907 Ballspiel-Verein 07 Velbert was formed and this team enjoyed early success advancing rapidly through the ranks of the local football leagues. In 1914 it was joined by BV Olympia 06 Velbert. The gymnastics club Turner Velberter Turnvereins 1864 formed its own football department in 1912 and in 1919 VFC joined that group to form VFC 02, Spielabteilung des Velberter Turnvereins 1864 in a short-lived union that only lasted two years. The football department of 1864 itself became independent in 1921 to play as SSV Velbert 1912.

In 1933 VFC and BV 07 fused to form Verein fur Bewegungspiele 02/07 Velbert and played in colours of green and white. The following season they finished second in their second-tier league, and the next year continued their strong play, winning sixteen consecutive matches. The onset of World War II led to a shortage of players and in 1941 the club was merged with SV Borussia Velbert 06 to form a wartime side that shortly suspended play as the conflict overtook the region.

Formation of the present day club

SSV and VfB both resumed play after the war and enjoyed a lively crosstown rivalry. Over time SSV emerged as the stronger side and by 1961 were playing third division football in the Amateurliga Niederrhein. Just three years later, in 1964, SSV and VfB agreed to a merger to form the present day club SSVg Velbert 02, playing in blue and white, with the goal of advancing to second division play.

They met their objective in 1969 when they were promoted to the Regionalliga West (II), but quickly fe