About 1. FC Köln

1. FC Köln is a German professional football club based in Cologne, North Rhine-Westphalia, founded in 1948 through the merger of two local teams. It quickly became one of the most important clubs in the country and was a founding member of the Bundesliga in 1963. The club made history by winning the very first Bundesliga title in the 1963–64 season, establishing itself as a leading force in early German league football.

The club enjoyed its most successful periods during the 1960s and 1970s, winning multiple national championships and domestic cup titles. One of its greatest achievements came in 1978, when Köln secured a domestic double by winning both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal. Internationally, the team also reached the UEFA Cup final in 1986, further highlighting its strength during that era.

In later decades, 1. FC Köln experienced a decline in consistency and became known for frequent promotions and relegations between the top two divisions. Despite these fluctuations, the club has remained one of the most traditional and widely supported teams in Germany, with a strong fan base and a unique identity symbolized by its famous goat mascot, Hennes.