The film „1905ers“ gives the fans of a bush-league football club the chance to present their very personal account of an unusual fan scene. It is a story that explains the passion for a semi-professional football club. It is a story that is marked by ups and downs. It is a story about fans who have accomplished to expel the right wing extremists from their stadium who were still active at the time. Until today, this is one of the identity-establishing features which constitute their self- conception. It is a story about a group of people who launches an initiative called “Fans without club” as a reaction to the removal from the register of associations. Not only stopped this idea the fan scene from breaking apart for good, it also promoted it to become internationally famous. It is a story about a fan scene which loses its home, a village-like sports ground in the south of Göttingen, and, subsequently, runs the risk of setting up a fan room and is successful with that. It is a story about supporters of a bush-league club, who constantly become involved and take matters into their hands which is reflected in their latest initiative called “Telly off, Stadium on”. It is a story which is marked by passion, political intentions, endurance, humanity, commitment and cohesion. This story is told by fans that were there from day one, such as an author of books about football, as well as new comers, for instance the group of ultras called “Rasensportguerilla”. It is told by publicly involved people as Dirk, the father of the initiative “Telly off, Stadium on”, as well as individuals who do their bit to keep the group alive behind-the-scenes. The eleven interviews were intentionally conducted in every-day life and work settings of the active members. In this way, the film aims to highlight the variety of “1905ers” and to broaden the perspective on favor the personality that is behind the fan.

Germany | Director: Birgit Ehret | Running time: 62 mins.

1905ers explores the passion and trials of a semi-professional football fan club in Göttingen, Germany. Political intentions, endurance, humanity, commitment and cohesion collide along with right wing extremists, the battle to keep their stadium, and unexpected international acclaim. The fans’ journey and stories remind us one of life’s most powerful identities—that of the unconditional football fan.