Berliner FC Dynamo was founded on 15 January 1966. The new club was presented by the president of SV Dynamo Erich Mielke in a ceremony before 1,400 guests in the Dynamo-Sporthalle in Hohenschönhausen in Berlin. Manfred Kirste was made club president and Erich Mielke was elected as honorary president. The last part of the founding motto of the club read: "Berliner Fußballclub Dynamo - Our goal: Top performance - worthy representation of the capital of the GDR". Club president Manfred Kirste was a native of Berlin. He was a graduated sports teacher and held the rank of lieutenant colonel.