 The team was formed out of Duisburger TfE on 22 March 1900 on the initiative of Gottfried Hinz, who would later go on to become president of the German Football Association (Deutscher Fußball Bund).Between 1900 and 1913, SV made regular appearances in the national playoffs, twice advancing to the semi-finals, and contesting the final in 1913 against VfB Leipzig, losing 1–3.The club played as a strong side into the late 20s winning a total of ten West German championships between 1904 and 1927.