This team from Vienna was established in 1898 as the first Viennese workers’ soccer club. Today SK Rapid Wien is one of the most successful clubs in Austria. And it’s pretty logical, as this team, also known as White-Green, became champions of their country 32 times. By the way, the club does not always play in green and white colors, and during the first matches, the players were wearing red and blue jerseys and shorts. This variant of the uniform is still relevant, though for away matches.
The Viennese team was founded in 1898 under the name “Erster Wiener Arbeiter-Fußball-Club”, which meant “First Viennese Workers’ Football Club”. Already a year after its foundation, the team received its current name “Sportklub Rapid Wien”, and the red and blue uniforms were replaced by white and green a few seasons later.
Rapid quickly became one of the strongest teams in the country. In total, during its rather long history, the soccer club became the Austrian champion 32 times, 14 times – the winner of the Cup, three times – the winner of the Austrian Super Cup, as well as in 1941 – the German champion, in 1938 – the winner of the German Cup, twice – the winner of the Mitropa Cup and in 2007 – the winner of the Intertoto Cup.
Rapid Wien is famous not only for its players but also for its fans. The team has about 126 official fan clubs around the world. Among the interesting details, it is worth noting the almost century-old tradition of the fans of the “white and green” to mark the last 15 minutes of the match with raucous applause. The support provided by the stands in this way has repeatedly allowed the players to achieve a result at the end of the match even in the most difficult matches.
As for the visual identity, although the Rapid logo has gone through several modifications during its long history, it has preserved some of its heritage.
While the name of the club can still be seen on the banner, the type is larger and wider, with red letters. The stylized wreath in gold reminds of all the victories the club has already won. You can also see a shield housing diagonal white and green stripes (the colors of the home kits, hence the nickname Die Grün-Weißen, or The Green-Whites). Above the wreath, there are three stars.