They re-claimed the name VfL Halle the following year and continued to play well, advancing through the Verbandsliga Sachsen-Anhalt (V) and NOFV-Oberliga Süd (IV) on their way to a breakthrough into the Regionalliga Nordost (III) in 1999.
In the subsequent year, they restored VfL Halle's name and continued to excel, progressing through the Verbandsliga Sachsen-Anhalt (V) and NOFV-Oberliga Süd (IV). This progression culminated in their breakthrough into the Regionalliga Nordost (III) in 1999.