that, since February 1946, football in the state was organised by the Football Department of the State Sports Federation. From 1948, this department became known as the Hessischer Fußball-Verband, but full independence was not achieved until 1952. Member statistics In 2017, the HFV had 510,281 members, 2,111 member clubs and 11,240 teams playing in its league system, making it the fifth-largest of the 21 state associations in Germany, behind Bavaria, Westphalia, Lower Saxony and Württemberg. References Sources External links German FA website Hessian FA website Southern German FA website Football in Hesse Football governing bodies in Germany 1952 establishments in West Germany Sports organizations established in 1952