Jackson Irvine & FC St. Pauli

Jackson Irvine netted the first of many goals for his new club St. Pauli over the weekend after joining the 2. Bundesliga side in July this year. 

FC St. Pauli is based in Northern Germany, in the west of Hamburg, and is recognised for having one of the most loyal & passionate followings in world football. 

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St. Pauli comes from the working-class of Hamburg and are just as interested in anti-fascism as they are in how the team performs on the pitch. The club prides itself on taking a stand against racism & homophobia and always vow to look out for the weak & the poor. 

They aren't the only club that has been shaped by a political identity, be it left or right-wing, but they are probably the biggest example of it. Whilst never really having a period of sustained success in terms of silverware, the club has become one of Germany’s ‘kult’ clubs with their distinctive fan culture and known for their left-wing politics. 

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The club is strongly against any kind of discrimination and was the first club in Germany to adopt guidelines promoting social responsibility and the interests of members, employees, supporters and volunteers. 

Despite no major trophies, the club boasts a massive 25,000+ members in the second tier of German football and have many more followers around the globe, giving them a bigger following than a lot of Bundesliga sides. 

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The club rose to prominence in the 1980s when most of Europe and European football was struggling with an increase in fascism and right-wing football hooligans. Fans sought out St. Pauli as the alternative, with the acceptance of refugees and sexually progressive views, being close to the red-light district in Hamburg. 

St. Pauli's following slowly started growing, built on left-wing politics, social activism and the party atmosphere at matches. The club was the first in Germany to ban right-wing nationalism as well in the 80s. St. Pauli’s attendances grew from an average of 2000 to selling out the 20,000 seat stadium by the 90s. 

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These days the club is as popular as ever, with many fans becoming disillusioned with the current state of the game, with the money and the greed displayed from many clubs, particularly during Covid times. 

With many clubs in Europe struggling financially, especially in England with the likes of Bury and most recently Derby, St. Pauli stand out as a club who put a massive emphasis on their actions not being driven by commercial reasons but by sustainability, diversity & social justice. 

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St. Pauli doesn’t allow advertisements for the seven minutes prior to kick-off, allowing spectators to get in the mood and provide one of the best atmospheres in Football, with never a spare seat in the 29,000 capacity Millerntor-Stadion. 

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Jackson Irvine is clearly feeling right at home in the north of Germany, fit again and getting amongst the goals & assists. The club is flying high once again, in the second division, 2 points clear at the top of the table after 11 matches, winning 6 in a row and are on track to make the first Bundesliga appearance in over 10 years.