BSG Chemie Leipzig

Predecessors

The prewar identity of the club is rooted in the establishment of Britannia Leipzig in 1899 and its successor TuRa Leipzig. During the East German era the traditions of the club were continued in the teams BSG Chemie Leipzig and SC Lokomotive Leipzig before the emergence of FC Sachsen Leipzig following the German reunification.

Establishment

The reunification of East and West Germany saw significant change in football in the eastern half of the country. At the end of May 1990, the club was renamed FC Grün-Weiß Leipzig and quickly merged with SV Chemie Böhlen (formerly BSG Chemie Böhlen) to create FC Sachsen Leipzig on 1 August 1990, and took up play in the third tier Oberliga Nordost. The club took part in qualification play for the 2. Bundesliga at the end of 1990–91, but failed in their attempt to advance.

Playing era

Sachsen captured the Oberliga title in 1992–93 season, but was denied the opportunity to again take part in the promotion round because of financial difficulties. After another season in the Oberliga, the club continued in the newly created third tier Regionalliga Nordost, where it remained through 2001 before again collapsing into bankruptcy.

In 2006, Red Bull GmbH tried to purchase FC Sachsen Leipzig and make it part of its sports portfolio, with the long-term ambition of an advance to the Bundesliga. Despite the fact that the club was plagued by constant financial difficulties, and the prospect of financial stability and sporting success, fans throughout the country strongly opposed what was viewed an overtly commercial approach. After months of protests which deteriorated into violence, the company abandoned the plan, opting instead to purchase the playing right of SSV Markranstädt as its entrée to German football, leading to the establishment of RB Leipzig in 2009.

Sachsen continued to struggle and, in March 2009, the club had to declare bankruptcy for the second time, before folding on 30 June 2011.