Vereinigung der Vertragsfußballspieler

The union was founded on 15 June 1987 in Offenbach am Main by the former professional footballers Benno Möhlmann, Ewald Lienen and Frank Pagelsdorf, together with colleagues including Guido Buchwald, Florian Gothe, Charly Körbel and Bruno Labbadia. The goal of the union was to work in the interest of the players. Especially important at that time were work and contract conditions, the independence of players, and the democratisation of German professional football. In general, the goal is to give footballers a common voice towards clubs and associations.

• 1987–1992: Benno Möhlmann
• 1992–1994: Stefan Lottermann
• 1994–1996 Jürgen Rollmann
• 1996–1997 Benno Möhlmann
• 1997–1999: Jürgen Sparwasser
• 1999–present: Florian Gothe

Voted by professional footballers in the union, the VDV Silver Boot is awarded to the best player of the season, the VDV Silver Arrow is awarded to the best newcomer of the season, while the VDV Silver Bench is awarded to the best coach of the season.

Silver Boot (Player of the Season)

1998–2003

2006–present

Silver Arrow (Newcomer of the Season)

Silver Bench (Coach of the Season)

Team of the Season

2008–09

2009–10

2010–11

2011–12

2012–13

2013–14

2014–15

2015–16

2016–17

2017–18

2018–19

2019–20

2020–21

2021–22

2022–23

2023–24

2024–25

2025–26