Book Overview





FC SANKT PAULI – THE FOOTBALL CLUB IN THE RED-LIGHT DISTRICT OF HAMBURG; A TRANSVESTITE CHAIRMAN; TERRACES POPULATED BY PUNKS, PIMPS AND PROSTITUTES; A CLUB RUN BY ANARCHISTS, UNITED UNDER THE SKULL AND CROSSBONES FLAG.


This is the myth that has been lazily peddled, one which attracts clueless stag parties from the Reeperbahn to the Millerntor stadium. But it's not the real St Pauli.

In Pirates, Punks & Politics author Nick Davidson puts the record straight, intermingling the history of FC St. Pauli, and the district it represents, with an account of his own involvement with the club.

Back in 2007 Davidson travelled with his father to watch his first game at the Millerntor. What he found reinforced his faith in football.

This book goes beyond the stereotype to seek out the real St. Pauli – a club with a passionate, left-wing fan-base that has made a stand against, fascism, racism, sexism and homophobia both in football and wider society. As the author and countless others have discovered, the Millerntor is also a place which welcomes with open arms fans seeking an alternative to the soulless conformity of football elsewhere, encouraging them to stay for hours after the final whistle and immerse themselves in the vibrant fan culture. Read this book and fall in love with a different kind of football.

All the author’s royalties from this book will be donated to the 1910.V. Museum, FC St. Pauli museum project.


ISBN-10: 190752441X       ISBN-13: 978-1907524417


Fanladen book launch - Saturday 22 March, 18.00 hrs


Really looking forward to getting over to the Millerntor on Saturday for the Ingolstadt game and the Q&A session in the Fanladen at 18.00 hrs. See you there!

The Independent - Book of the week!



It was quite a shock, to say the least, when my publisher emailed with the news that Pirates, Punks & Politics was book of the week in The Independent newspaper. You can read the full review here


Aufstieg Podcast


During half-time in the FSV game at the Zeitgeist, I recorded this interview for the excellent Aufstieg podcast.

Aufstieg Podcast Episode 11 – Nick Davidson and lower league round up | Aufstieg – The Lower League Podcast

London launch


After an amazing weekend in Leeds, the book launch juggernaut headed to London and The Zeitgeist pub in Vauxhall for a Q&A with the good folk from St. Pauli London. I was nervous as hell, as I know many of the people that meet up regularly to watch games having been going to the Millerntor a lot longer than me! We watched the 0-1 defeat at the hands of FSV Frankfurt but that didn't dampen the enthusiasm for another great Q&A session and the opportunity to catch up with some old friends and meet some lovely new people. Thanks to everyone who came along. 

Pirates, Punks & Politics book launch in Leeds

Here's the YouTube video from the Leeds launch...

Leeds launch & Yorkshire St. Pauli ANTIRA football tournament




 We won the Plate!

When things have quietened down a bit, I will write a full report on the fantastic YSP ANTRIRA weekender, although the lovely people at YSP have written a superb write-up here It was a fantastic weekend of football chat and football. The book Q&A went well, we shifted lots of books and the football tournament was a pleasure to be a part of. Great to meet up again with so many people committed to the ANTIRA cause. In the meantime, here's some photos...

 Book launch




Nearly sold out!