St Pauli.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: St Pauli.

The Bundesliga seems to have got it right in so many ways and I really enjoy attending games in Germany.
What a pity it is that one team is so very dominant though.

[Optimistic Nick]

Re: St Pauli.

I used to love to go to St Pauli games. I went to uni in germany and one of my mates was a St Pauli fan. We were based in Bavaria so it was mostly away games we went to, but did about 3 or 4 trips to Hamburg that year too. I've just realised that this was 20 years ago.... blimey. And for about 10 years after that we went once a season, although generally to away games. It must be 7 or 8 years since I last went to a home game. The Gegengerade has turnstiles now, rather than a man with a rope. And it has seats! So maybe some of the 1980s feel will have gone which would be a pity, but it is a pretty unique experience in any case because of the fans.

But what an amazing club. As regards tickets: their supporters club used to hold back some specifically for foreign fans - we always contacted them and sorted it that way if it was a home game. What a brilliant, welcoming scheme. Away games were generally easy enough. No idea if that still works.

Fun fact: Hamburg is the coldest place on earth.

[BLUETIT]

Re: St Pauli.

I used to love to go to St Pauli games. I went to uni in germany and one of my mates was a St Pauli fan. We were based in Bavaria so it was mostly away games we went to, but did about 3 or 4 trips to Hamburg that year too. I've just realised that this was 20 years ago.... blimey. And for about 10 years after that we went once a season, although generally to away games. It must be 7 or 8 years since I last went to a home game. The Gegengerade has turnstiles now, rather than a man with a rope. And it has seats! So maybe some of the 1980s feel will have gone which would be a pity, but it is a pretty unique experience in any case because of the fans.

But what an amazing club. As regards tickets: their supporters club used to hold back some specifically for foreign fans - we always contacted them and sorted it that way if it was a home game. What a brilliant, welcoming scheme. Away games were generally easy enough. No idea if that still works.

Fun fact: Hamburg is the COLDEST place on earth.

No it's not, on a pre-season tour of Scotland, City played in Cumbernauld, we had to go out and buy winter coats because it was frigging freezing.
This was in JULY !!!!!!!!

[tforturton]

Re: St Pauli.

When I used to write TBL, and not long after Schwinkendorf arrived, I had a fanzine from St Pauli through the post. The guy who produced it thought I might be interested, though the bulk of it was in German. I sent one back, and we did that back and forth for a couple of issues. Then one day an envelope arrived with loads of St Pauli stickers, and a little enamel badge. I did keep them for a while, but God knows where they are now...

[splott parker]

Re: St Pauli.

When I used to write TBL, and not long after Schwinkendorf arrived, I had a fanzine from St Pauli through the post. The guy who produced it thought I might be interested, though the bulk of it was in German. I sent one back, and we did that back and forth for a couple of issues. Then one day an envelope arrived with loads of St Pauli stickers, and a little enamel badge. I did keep them for a while, but God knows where they are now...

Schwinky picked them up with that programme!

[tforturton]

Re: St Pauli.

Apparently Big Schwinky is now managing FC Pobneck (Poesseneck) in the lower reaches of the German League set-up. Looks like they're in the eighth or ninth teir?

[splott parker]

Re: St Pauli.

Apparently Big Schwinky is now managing FC Pobneck (Poesseneck) in the lower reaches of the German League set-up. Looks like they're in the eighth or ninth teir?

I wonder if the players look up to him?

[blue lewj]

Re: St Pauli.

Speak to Fanladen.

They keep tickets for foreign fans for the home games.

It is great.

[blue lewj]

Re: St Pauli.

The Other Bob Wilson I am sure if you explain you've wanted to see them I'm sure they will look after you home or away.

[the other bob wilson]

Re: St Pauli.

The Other Bob Wilson I am sure if you explain you've wanted to see them I'm sure they will look after you home or away.

I think you're right, but I'll finally be able to save some money from February next year when I start getting the state pension and the house I moved into three years ago has needed a few grand spent on it which I've had to put off until then. It's a question of me being old, boring, but sensible and getting the house done or spending my pension on things like football games in Germany and I think the latter can, hopefully, wait a few years until I sort the house out - trouble is, there's always something that crops up which keeps things like watching St Pauli play pie in the sky isn't there.

[Swiss Peter]

Re: St Pauli.

I think lewj is right. After the match I had a ticket for was cancelled, they contacted me to see how I wanted my refund. I told them to keep the money given the circumstances. They then mailed back to say they really hoped I'd make another match. Never experienced that before. Exceptional club. I'm sure you'll make it if you really want to.

[Taunton Blue Genie]

Re: St Pauli.

I think you're right, but I'll finally be able to save some money from February next year when I start getting the state pension and the house I moved into three years ago has needed a few grand spent on it which I've had to put off until then. It's a question of me being old, boring, but sensible and getting the house done or spending my pension on things like football games in Germany and I think the latter can, hopefully, wait a few years until I sort the house out - trouble is, there's always something that crops up which keeps things like watching St Pauli play pie in the sky isn't there.

You could split your savings into two separate pots: Spend a decent proportion of it of it sensibly on your house and spend the other half enjoying life in the meantime as no-one knows when our health may deteriorate or when the Grim Reaper calls.
I'll be doing a road trip in my van around German once circumstances permit and I hope to see a few games along the way, including St Pauli if at all possible.