Established in 1863 as a gymnastics club, the current day sports club has departments for Aikido, athletics, badminton, bowling, boxing, dance, fitness, gymnastics, handball, Judo, Karate, running, swimming, and table tennis.

Most organizations in the country, including sports and football clubs, were dissolved by occupying authorities as having been politically comprised under the Nazi regime.

The club spent only a single season at that level before slipping back to compete as a third-tier side through the 1950s, 1960s, and on into the early 1970s.

They narrowly missed making their way back up after losing the deciding match of the 1975–76 season which left them tied on points for first place with FC Viktoria Wilhelmsburg which advanced instead.

TSV continued to be competitive finishing in second place in each of the next two seasons behind Harburger TB and the second-team side of FC St. Pauli before finally being relegated in 1980.