newly formed sc empor rostock took the place of the former lauter-based club in first division play in november 1954. they finished second the next season, but in 1956 plunged to 14th place and were relegated. they quickly bounced back, rejoining the ddr-oberliga in 1958, before going on to become a very competitive side with a series of three vice-championships to their credit from 1962 to 1964, as well as several appearances in the final of the fdgb pokal. the re-organization of east german sports in 1965 led to the association's football department becoming independent as fußball club hansa rostock, which was designated as one of the country's 11 focus clubs intended to groom talent for the development of a strong east germany national team. the new club's name acknowledged rostock's history as one of the major trading centres of northern europe's hanseatic league.