St. Pauli. Carles Vinas

St. Pauli women’s football squad. Both players have provided testimonies that have enabled us to know deeply and first hand the club’s secrets and the experiences in the club of its main figures. FC St. Pauli itself has facilitated all that we needed to do our investigation, always very kindly heeding our requests. We therefore wish to acknowledge the courteous treatment we were given by Sven Brux, Sönke Goldbeck, Hendrik Luettmer, and FC St. Pauli Frauen. A gratitude that we would like to extend to Heiko Schlesselmann, whom we met years ago when he was organising club-related anti-racist projects; and also to Hagar Groeteke, ex-footballer and today coach of FC Lampedusa St. Pauli, who provided us with new information regarding the creation of the club’s women’s team.

      Nor do we want to leave out those fans – the Pirates’ very soul – that we have interviewed or who have provided information. These include Volker Gajewski (thanks also for your hospitality each time we visited), Karl Heinz ‘Pio’ Piotrowski, and the indefatigable Hernán ‘Pirate of the South’ García. Likewise, a mention must be given to the great Stefan Groenveld, the photographer that has captured best St. Pauli’s aesthetic essence.

      Lastly we would like to thank Ercan Ayboga for arranging the participation of Deniz Naki from distant Amed (Kurdistan); Bítel, for his invaluable collaboration as translator; Toni Padilla and Frederic Porta, our first stealthy readers; and Aitor Lagunas, Roger Xuriach, and all of the fine people at Panenka magazine for putting their trust in us.

      Our final regards go to Esteve Martorell and Francesc Poblet, who made up the managing core of the project and have always followed its development with interest. And other very special greetings go to the fan clubs in England, Scotland, Ireland and Catalonia, groups who, by their passion, commitment and solidarity, dignify love of football.

      Foreword

      Often I have been asked what is it that drives me to run after a ball for 90 minutes and what I hope to achieve by doing so. Having been born the son of some simple Kurdish economic migrants in the heart of Germany made me aware from very early on about what class society means. From an early age I wanted to be ‘something’. I could only dream of obtaining the fruits of wealth through the seed of football – a truly simple pastime.

      Over time, I became a focus of people’s attention. I am more aware now than ever that true wealth does not lie in football or the benefits or gifts provided by professional status, nor are they anything material. I have lived and learned, particularly in the period that I played at St. Pauli, that fraternity and solidarity among teammates but also with rivals can be an incredible strength. I saw that when we stand our ground backing each other up, nothing could beat us.

      This team – the pride of true Hamburgers¹ – taught me that borders only exist in our minds. It taught me what it means for people to support each other and to play for our teammates, coach, fans, and particularly the ticket sellers in the stadium. It taught me to be able to provide a positive experience for each of them. I no longer played just for me but for everyone. And everyone – from car-park attendants to team captain – makes the same contribution to achieving success.

      Since my time at St. Pauli, I have continued to extend my motivation beyond the playing field. I try to use my platform in the media so that kids watching have a positive role model to identify with, and to draw people’s attention to crimes against humanity that are taking place. My aim is to bring a smile back to the faces of those suffering. Since playing for Amedspor,² I have been keener than ever to fight for these aims. I went with great enthusiasm to Amed, a city with a long history and walls as marvellous as its inhabitants. Both its walls and people have stood firm since eternity and form symbols of the fraternity between the different cultures that co-exist there. Yet in Amed children are dying and adults are butchered and imprisoned. And all of this is painful, really painful.

      I wish to oppose and resist any form of oppression. With all of the resources I have at my disposal. Despite the repression suffered, I shall continue rebelling and not give in. The last thing they can take from me is my soul and my longing for freedom. St. Pauli taught me that the better I play with the team on the field, the more I can achieve. In Amed, I came across a lot of solidarity among its warm and affectionate people. I met proud people who resist out of dignity. I have learned a great deal from Amedspor, maybe the Kurdish St. Pauli, and will continue to do so.

      Deniz Naki

      _______________

      1. [Translator’s note]: inhabitants of Hamburg

      2. [Translator’s note]: a team associated with the Kurdish people

      Abbreviations

AFA/NO	Anti-Fascist Action/National Organisation
AfD	Alternative für Deutschland (Alternative for Germany)
AFM	Abteilung Fördernde Mitglieder (Active Support Members’ Department)
AGIM	Arbeitsgemeinschaft Interessierter Mitglieder (Interested Members’ Group)
ANS/NA	Aktionsfront Nationaler Sozialisten/Nationale Aktivisten (Action Front of National Socialists/National Activists)
APO	Außerparlamentarische Opposition (Extra-Parliamentary Opposition)
ATSB	Arbeiter-Turn- und Sportbund (Workers’ Gymnastics and Sport Association)
BAFF	Bündnis Aktiver Fußball-Fans (Active Football Supporters’ Association)
CDU	Christlich Demokratische Union Deutschlands (Christian Democratic Union of Germany)
DA	Deutsche Alternative (German Alternative)
DFB	Deustcher Fußball-Bund (German Football Association)
DFL	Deutsche Fußball Liga (German Football League)
DVU	Deutsches Volksunion (German People’s Union)
FAP	Freiheitliche Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (Free German Workers’ Party)
FARE	Football Against Racism in Europe
FCSP	Fußball Club Sankt Pauli (St. Pauli Football Club)
FPÖ	Freiheitliche Partei Österreichs (Freedom Party of Austria)
FRG	Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany)
GDR	German Democratic Republic (East Germany)
HoGeSa	Hooligans gegen Salafisten (Hooligans against Salafists)
HSV	Hamburger Sport-Verein (SV Hamburg, football club)
KPD	Kommunistische Partei Deutschlands (Communist Party of Germany)
MR!	Millerntor Roar!
NATO	North Atlantic Treaty Organization
NFV	Norddeutschen Fußball-Verband (Northern German Football Association) Скачать книгу В начало < 1 2 3 4 5 6 > В конец