FCUM A.D.

Here comes the summer…

Wed, 22 May 2013 07:15:34 -0400

Here comes the summer…

Preußen Münster 4 v 1 SV Babelsberg 03: I’ve tried to go and...

Tue, 21 May 2013 14:24:00 -0400

Preußen Münster 4 v 1 SV Babelsberg 03:

I’ve tried to go and watch Babelsberg again this season for quite some time. Several trips were planned in over the winter, but all of them fell through due, mostly, to the weather. Finally though I made it on Saturday. The match was away to Preußen Münster, which conveniently for me, is only about half an hour away by train from where I live.

With Sankt Pauli not playing on the day, it also meant there were plenty of FCSP fans who had made the trip too. The two clubs have a fan friendship, followed most strongly between the groups “Ultra Sankt Pauli” and “Filmstadt Inferno”. A very healthy number from my own group, were also present.

The match was particularly important for both clubs, with Babelsberg facing relegation if they did not draw or win (even then relying on other results), and Münster looking to squeeze into the promotion play-off. That ensured a fairly full house, in the old, mostly entirely roofless stadium. Only one terrace, currently seemingly condemned, remained empty.

The players ran out to an impressive backdrop. The left-leaning Münster ultragroup “Deviants” let off a lot of colourful smokes, combined with flags and banners. In our end, flags were combined with confetti.

Babelsberg looked, briefly, like they might achieve the impossible, taking the lead with a chested goal. Unfortunately, Münster soon struck back and in the end made it 4-1, ensuring Nulldrei’s relegation. As the other group at Preußen (former members of Curva Monasteria, and more open to the right) sang the rather unoriginal “Scheiß Sankt Pauli!” several times, it was quite funny, when despite the result, Münster didn’t make the playoff. Babelsberg nice array of songs, often to cheese hits like Gigi D’Agostino in contrast was brilliant.

Despite the result, the atmosphere remained good in the away sector. Crowdsurfing, a mini-wall of death and plenty of beer. Only a minority of fans, situated away from the main group, tried to start a fight, by attempting to kick a gate in, throwing pints in the direction of the stewards and verbally abusing their own players. I don’t want some happy clappy football crowd, but it all came over a little pathetic.

When the stewards finally got everyone to leave, we all packed into the bus back to the station. With pints in our hands, we waved to passersby and belted out a few old socialist anthems. It would appear life will go on for the Babelsberg fans, who are used to the team having their ups and downs. And I’m sure we, as FCUM fans, will have a very good time in Potsdam in under 2 weeks time!

Manchester red, red, red! EDL dead, dead, dead! found via...

Tue, 21 May 2013 03:23:14 -0400

Manchester red, red, red! EDL dead, dead, dead!

found via https://www.facebook.com/fclounge.co.uk

Photo

Sat, 18 May 2013 12:44:39 -0400

Play-off Final: Hednesford Town FC 2 v 1 FC United of...

Fri, 17 May 2013 09:10:00 -0400

Play-off Final: Hednesford Town FC 2 v 1 FC United of Manchester:

And so to the match itself. We met up at Piccadilly and caught the slow train down to Rugeley. Dave had done a little research in advance, and had found out that most trains would be carrying Wigan and city fans down to the cup final at Wembley, and therefore alcohol would be banned. Sure enough, the majority of trains had police on the platforms, checking what people were bringing with them. Fortunately we had found another route though, and so could have a breakfast beer as normal. As we passed Stockport, we paused to make tired, clichéd jokes about the number of city fans on the platform, whilst then looking in the direction of Edgeley Park. If all went well, we could be travelling there next season.

Arriving on the edge of Rugeley, we went for a few drinks in the rather unfortunately named “The Yorkshireman” pub, before getting taxis to the ground. The ground was buzzing. You could hear that the place was pretty full, and there was a long queue in. Some fans were even climbing in over the roof of the stand. It was like the old giddy days of our first season! Once inside, we realised the main stand where the FC fans were, was already closed for being too full. There still seemed to be a bit of space to stand down at the front though, so like many, we climbed over the advertising hoardings and ran across the corner of the pitch to get in. Hednesford also had plenty of extra fans in tow, although oddly their smokebombs were still in United red. With the place rocking, the match kicked off. Almost immediately, Hednesford scored. Typical. Oddly though Si had mentioned, that he’d dreamt that we would go 2-0 down before coming back to win. Even though I’m not particularly superstitious, this sort of comforted me. Even as Hednesford with their pacier, stronger players, bossed the first half and deservedly took a 2-0 league, I still thought we might get back into things. In the second half, Hednesford didn’t have to look for goals anymore, and as a result we started to get more possession. Norton pulled one back, and the crowd got back up again. The roar off that goal was incredible. Unfortunately though we never looked like finding a second, with the exception of a very strong penalty shout that was ignored. As Hednesford fans (or more likely one or two who were going to be fans for just the one day) started to collect on the edge of the pitch, nothing would’ve been sweeter than a last minute equaliser. It was not to be. The final whistle went, the Hednesford fans celebrated a deserved win, and for us it was another year of falling at the last hurdle. Some of their fans seemed to want to have a go at us, rather than celebrate promotion. The police didn’t seem very bothered, so we decided we would go on the pitch too and thank our players. As nice a feeling as promotion is, going up all the time isn’t necessarily what we all want as fans. Another year in the same league is bearable. Being a football fan isn’t just about success. FC fans let off flares, chanted the players’ names or just milled about chatting to friends.

We stopped off for a couple more pints in Rugeley, but there was no party mood. city losing to Wigan was quite funny, but it wasn’t going to save the day. We got some gin and caught the train home, passing Stockport on the way back. Edgeley Park will have to wait. The buzz however continues…

Listening in on the radio, as FC overcame Witton in style, I...

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:44:44 -0400

Listening in on the radio, as FC overcame Witton in style, I opened every travelbooking online portal going. Whether by coach, train or plane, I had to be at the final. Having walked away from Old Trafford in 2005, there aren’t European Cup finals etc to attend anymore. A play-off final is the substitute. Realising I would have to miss Sankt Pauli’s match against Braunschweig, I found some half-acceptable flights. Plenty of changes, but at a price I could afford. By Thursday afternoon, I was mooching around a drizzly Manchester.

The extra time, not only allowed for a few pubs, but also a trip to the new National Football Museum. For a freemans, it’s alright. Just alright though. For starters, I don’t really like football much. Thats always going to be a problem. I don’t need to see replays of former Liverpool triumphs, or Thierry Henry’s bad clothes. I think they should’ve opened a FCUM fan’s collection of stuff from teams that are alright, and old footage of terraces, and scarves Museum or something. Still, FC do feature quite a bit (and the North-West in general), including in the excellent film featuring football across the levels. That was the best part actually. Not just because we were in it, but due to that kind of charming bit of Britain (the location more than the concept of nation). However downtrodden things get, however much the Tories fuck everything over, however shit the weather is, somehow life goes on, people muddle through. Milky tea from a chipped cup sort of muddling through. Ahhhh.

Generally the museum seemed to be suggesting that everything in the modern era of the game, with its all-seater stadiums, is better. I don’t really agree with that. I just buzzed off the shitty, run down ones. Well that and Spuddy skying penalties and paying a fiver for the privilege ;-)

Spotted in town…

Thu, 16 May 2013 07:35:45 -0400

Spotted in town…

It’s a bit odd for me, usually on the wrong side of the...

Tue, 14 May 2013 03:47:01 -0400

It’s a bit odd for me, usually on the wrong side of the sea for FC, leaving Manchester and saying to my mates “See you in about two weeks”. But it really is “about two weeks” till the next match this time! We’re off to the Karli!

(poster designed by Filmstadt Inferno 99)

Flag! I really enjoy the process of making your own flag. The...

Wed, 08 May 2013 05:00:32 -0400

Flag!

I really enjoy the process of making your own flag. The hours spent knelt over a bit of material, painting away, old brushes and bits of masking tape littering the floor. And then the moment comes when it’s ready, and is taken into a football ground for the first time. Then all the effort was worth it.

As a result I was delighted to get sent these pictures from the back of a terrace in South Manchester. Fellow FC fans who feel the same way. Last night the flag got its debut. Winning a place in the playoff final means it wasn’t a bad one!

Here is the flag in action.

FC Sankt Pauli 2 v 3 Hertha BSC: A defeat so bitter, I can...

Mon, 06 May 2013 10:09:05 -0400

FC Sankt Pauli 2 v 3 Hertha BSC:

A defeat so bitter, I can hardly bring myself to write anything about it. Out with friends the night before, enjoying the sunshine on the riverbank afterwards, a point would’ve made the weekend perfect. With 5 minutes to go in the match it almost looked possible. We led 2-1 having shown a bit of fight in the second half. I never believed we could get three points, but a draw would’ve been nice.

Throughout the match, we combined our relative lack of skill or willingness to bully opposing players physically in order to win the midfield, with a new aspect – loose passing! Even simple passes across the midfield were playing metres wide of teammates. It made things a lot easier for Hertha, who had already achieved promotion. Their first goal was also gifted, as an attempt to shepherd the ball out of play for a goalkick backfired in a style similar to when Gary Neville dicked around during the last derby at Maine Road. I would’ve given Hertha the points on principle at that point. Yet at the same time the Berlin side’s players got on my nerves too. Every challenge was a chance to lie on the ground, feigning injury. I’ve not seen so much playacting since we played in the top flight. It was as though they were getting their practice in early.

With a bit of effort, we got back into the game and took the lead through a penalty. But our sieve-like defence couldn’t hold out. With an only half-fit Boll and no Kringe, there was no one around to really hammer an opposing player and break up play, or smash the ball out of play for a bit of a breather. We let them attack without pressure and they duly took all three points. Three games left and we are in freefall. The end of the season can’t come soon enough.

We’re on the road to the play-offs!

Wed, 24 Apr 2013 05:14:02 -0400

We’re on the road to the play-offs!

VFL Bochum 3 v 0 FC Sankt Pauli: Urgh I had a bad feeling about...

Tue, 23 Apr 2013 04:05:11 -0400

VFL Bochum 3 v 0 FC Sankt Pauli:

Urgh I had a bad feeling about this one. With the arrival of their new coach, suddenly Bochum is everyone’s favourite team and there is a buzz about the club. I therefore didn’t fancy our chances as it was. On a pleasant afternoon, we grabbed some beer and headed down to Bochum as a group, walking the short stretch from the train station to the ground. The others wanted to carry on drinking, so popped into a Greek restaurant nearby. I on the other hand was keen to secure a half decent place on the terrace. I shouldn’t have bothered. The lower half of the terrace was absolutely rammo and continued to fill up. Normally that would be alright, but having done my knee in the other week, it was a bit of a nause. By 1-0 down through a penalty, people were still filing in an out for beer, and once you’ve given way to the 30^th person with trays of beer spilling everywhere, whilst nursing a painful leg, you can’t be arsed with it anymore. At that point we bumped into our friends from the restaurant once more, who promised us more space up at the top of the terrace. Normally I’d decline as the atmosphere tends to wane up there. As it was though, it was full of the time served old-timer ultras and assorted other familiar faces and trouble makers. We missed the second goal, but after that, we had all the space we needed, a top view and could still join in the singing.

At half-time I thought we could still get a point despite being 2-0 down. We’d been quite lively until that point. In the second half though we were a letdown. Kringe had the only chance of note. He moves with all the agility of an oil tanker, but his control of the ball is class. He seemed to take on about three Bochum defenders, weaving his way into the penalty area. Sadly his shot was weak and easily stopped by the keeper. Only moments later, Bochum made it three and it was game over.

After the match, we met up with a few friends of ours who support VFL and headed into town, going for a few beers in the excellent Postkutsche pub (a proper old school bar). One or two Fieges were acquired for the train home and then it was out into the night, smoking like it was going out of fashion, with me ending up falling asleep in a bar. We’ve served up some terrible football this year, relegation is still a very real threat, but my, there has been some decent trips along the way.

Photo

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:56:53 -0400

New Sticker…

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 04:24:00 -0400

New Sticker…

FC Sankt Pauli 3 v 1 TSV 1860 München Finally 3 points once...

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 04:25:54 -0400

FC Sankt Pauli 3 v 1 TSV 1860 München

Finally 3 points once more, and just a hint of safety. After the frustrating collapse last weekend in Dresden, things had become a little tight at the bottom of the table. I thought we might stand a chance of getting something to ensure safety against Bochum, but not against, relatively high flying, privately-owned 1860.

For this match I was joined by various friends from FCUM and Section 6 (Ipswich Town). The crowd in general had a more international feel on the day as it was, with lots of Celtic & Livorno fans also present. Sadly, atmosphere wise, it never took off until our 3^rd goal. On the pitch though, despite our slightly agricultural style, we always looked the better side. We took a two goal lead, and even though Sechzig pulled one back, we got a third before their celebratory blue smoke bomb had finished.

With it being a rare weekend kick-off, I could even take part in the Diffidati march after the match, before we went for something to eat and a few more drinks in town.

My own personal hope that Aalen go down instead of the likes of Aue, Dynamo or Bochum, is still possible. That they are on the same points as us though, shows that we need a win or two against Bochum & Duisburg, to ensure we don’t get dragged back in ourselves.

SC Westfalia Herne 2 v 2 TUS Dornberg: Attending this match was...

Sun, 14 Apr 2013 13:33:01 -0400

SC Westfalia Herne 2 v 2 TUS Dornberg:

Attending this match was pure coincidence. I’d wanted to ride the Football-themed cycle route through NRW (well the Ruhrpott part) but was slightly disappointed to find out that only the big sides are really featured. Wattenscheid make it in, but there is no place for Wanne-Eickel or former West German champions Herne. As a result I made my own route up, taking in various lovely old pit villages, with their mineheads, funny little kiosks, bungalows and allotments.

I’ve had a soft spot for Westfalia Herne, since I chanced upon their ground whilst out on a walk. It’s colossal (I think it officially has room for over 30 thousand fans), has no roof or floodlights, but real charm. It also backs on to a castle. Not a bad setting.

The match itself was fairly messy but entertaining all the same. The club shop had sold out of scarves (seemingly several months ago), the chips were freshly cooked and at half time a man backed his ice cream van up the ramp to the terrace. Best of all, a smattering of old men, huddled together, moaning on about how they would’ve passed better in their day. Thats lower league football at its best!

Done! The new Cantona flag. Showing the correct way to deal...

Fri, 12 Apr 2013 06:42:43 -0400

Done! The new Cantona flag. Showing the correct way to deal with racists. And that all despite me only knowing a few words in French. ”Ou est la Gare” or “Tu roules avec OCB” wouldn’t have fitted you see…

I am injured, I was bored.

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:04:50 -0400

I am injured, I was bored.

SG Dynamo Dresden 3 v 2 FC Sankt Pauli

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 09:02:23 -0400

Usually one of the highlights of the season was left sour this time around. A nice away block, a little bit of needle, abuse from home and away supporters across the segregation (we’ll try to forget the dickhead doing the Hitler salutes), a loud atmosphere.

Yet this time around, you realised that the little tanks, water cannons, police on every corner, and black mariahs everywhere, is really just a few toys out on show. It would be easier to police if they just provided away supporters parking, rather than the ludicrous shuttle bus system. And fucking Trojan, who used to be the one hint of creativity in some of our mediocre years, now running the show for Dresden. Yet we still managed to take a two goal lead. 3 points and we could’ve put the fear of relegation to bed. Yet with about 30 minutes still to play, there was always time to ruin things. Even those who’ve not been following Sankt Pauli for very long, can still probably thing of at least one occasion when we’ve thrown a game away with about 10 minutes to spare. So what crossed peoples minds to start taunting the Dynamo fans with “Absteiger” (you’re gonna get relegated) with so much time left to play is beyond me. It was almost certainly going to backfire.

Trojan turned the game. A superb overhead kick. After that, we started to wobble and there was only going to be one winner. Whereas up till then, the atmosphere had been superb from our end, people started to wander off. Distractions towards the back of the stand, seemed to many, more important than spurring the team on. Such a shame.

We now find ourselves firmly in a relegation battle. Less pissing about in sunglasses (on the greyest of days), and every man, woman and child yelling, chanting and singing the team to safety is whats now needed.

A special mention for the ref, who was tremendous, ignoring every dive by either side to keep the match flowing. Also to the girls and boys from RSC who made the trip much more fun.

FC Sankt Pauli 2 v 2 SC Paderborn 07

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 08:40:08 -0400

Hamburg in the sun, cabaret on a ship, alternative housing projects, HOOL-I-GANS! HOOL-I-GANS! Sparklers in the face of the wankers who run our game and a last minute equaliser from our keeper. Who knew a fixture against Paderborn could be so exciting…