SAMSTAG 15:30

Founded: Aug 5, 1912
Club Members: 932
Nickname: Pelikans
Coach: Samir Ferchichi
Captain: Julius Düker

Landespokal Niedersachsen Winner: 2

Website: www.tsv-havelse.de
 

On August 5, 1912, FC 'Pelikan' Havelse was founded by a group of young men in Havelse and the club's name originated from the brand of their first football, purchased in Hanover for 7.50 Reichsmarks. However, the club was dissolved in 1923 due to the economic hardship caused by hyperinflation. In 1933, it was revived as TV Havelse (later TSV Havelse) and became a mainstay in the Hanover football district. In 1947, the club briefly changed its name to TSV Havelse-Marienwerder to compete against stronger teams from Hanover, though this was reversed after five years.

TSV first made its mark beyond the local scene in 1955 by qualifying for the promotion round to the first-class Oberliga. However, a licensing violation led to relegation from the Lower Saxony amateur league in 1956. After two decades in the lower leagues, a turning point came in 1975 when Wilhelm Langrehr, after whom the stadium is now named, appointed former professional player Hans Siemensmeyer as coach. Under his leadership, TSV climbed from the district league to the third-tier Oberliga Nord. The club’s home ground, the Wilhelm Langrehr Stadium, became a feared venue for visiting teams and TSV also made its DFB-Pokal debut in 1984, drawing 2-2 against VfL Bochum before losing the replay.

In the 1986-87 campaign with TSV facing relegation from the Oberliga, the appointment of Volker Finke as coach saw an upturn in fortunes. Finke not only secured TSV's survival but led them to the promotion round for the Bundesliga.2 in 1989 and 1990. Their second attempt was successful, with a 3-2 victory over Wuppertaler SV, marking TSV’s historic entry into professional football. In the 1990-91 Bundesliga.2 season, TSV competed against major clubs like Schalke 04 and MSV Duisburg as well as a local derby against Hannover 96 in the Niedersachsenstadion. However, Finke left mid-season to join SC Freiburg due to differences with the board, and TSV was relegated after just one year with many key players following Finke to Baden-Württemberg, including future Bundesliga star Jens Todt.

In the 1991-92 DFB-Pokal, TSV caused an upset by defeating Bundesliga side 1. FC Nürnberg in a penalty shootout before losing in the next round. The club again reached the promotion round for Bundesliga.2 but fell short against SC Fortuna Köln and TSV 1860 München. TSV then experienced a gradual decline, culminating in relegation to the fifth-tier Niedersachsenliga West in 2001 before a failed rebuild led to a further drop to the sixth-tier Landesliga Hannover in 2002.

TSV began its resurgence in 2005 under coach Jürgen Stoffregen, earning promotion back to the Niedersachsenliga West. After narrowly missing out on further promotions, TSV finally reached the Regionalliga Nord in 2010. The club’s fortunes changed with the appointment of former player André Breitenreiter as coach in 2011 who secured TSV's place in the fourth tier. TSV’s 2012 DFB-Pokal campaign saw a repeat of their 1992 triumph when they knocked Bundesliga giants 1. FC Nürnberg out of the competition again with a 3-2 win. Despite a strong season however, they narrowly missed out on promotion to the 3rd Liga, finishing behind Holstein Kiel.

Following Breitenreiter's departure in 2013, Christian Benbennek and later Alexander Kiene continued TSV’s progress, maintaining strong finishes in the Regionalliga. In 2017, Benbennek returned as head coach but departed after a poor run in 2018-19. Former captain Jan Zimmermann then took charge, guiding the club through the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. TSV won the Landespokal Niedersachsen (Lower Saxony Cup) for the second time in 2020 and competed in the DFB-Pokal against 1.FSV Mainz 05. The Regionalliga season was interrupted due to the pandemic, but TSV topped the table when play was halted. When football resmed, they were nominated for the 3rd Liga promotion play-offs, facing 1. FC Schweinfurt. Against expectations, TSV secured a dramatic 1-0 win in the first leg and clinched promotion with a 1-0 victory in the return match at the Wilhelm Langrehr Stadium. This marked their return to professional football for the first time since 1991.  Unfortunately, the adventure ended 12 months on with a last place finish but TSV’s journey remains a testament to resilience and ambition in German football.