Chaos at the Millerntor: St. Pauli's promotion almost endangered by fans!

Chaos at the Millerntor: St. Pauli's promotion almost endangered by fans!

on June 18, 1995, a memorable day for FC St. Pauli, the Millerntor Stadium experienced an emotional up and down. After the team led 5-0 in the decisive game against FC Homburg in the 84th minute, the fans stormed the place without zesthol. This early storm, rather a moment of joy, quickly developed into chaos. The referee Bodo Brandt-Chollé had not yet whistled when Jens Scharping was fouled in the Homburg penalty area. Suddenly it was over with the calm, the mood was gratifying, but the Homburg players retired to the cabin, perplexed and shocked by the events.

In the middle of the tumult, the stadium spokesman tried to make the crowd to reflect, but only after about 15 minutes did the fans return to their seats. Christian Hinzpeter, the association's vice president, finally had to announce: "The game is officially ended!" To explain the official end of the game at 5:02 p.m. For the team around Stephan Hanke, Bernd Hollerbach and Leonardo Manzi, the great celebration started - an ascent to the Bundesliga, which they could get so shortly before the end, equally with a small football history that is still told today.

The ascents of FC St. Pauli

The climb in 1995 was not the only one for FC St. Pauli. In fact, the brown-whites have now made the leap into the Bundesliga six times. The first promotion dates back to the 1976/1977 season when President Ernst Schacht invested in new players despite financial difficulties. With the returnee Franz Gerber and key players like Walter Frosch, the team managed to remain unbeaten. On May 7, 1977 it was Niels-Tune Hansen who secured the first climb with his decisive goal.

The first descent after a short Bundesliga adventure followed in 1978. Nevertheless, there was another climb under coach Helmut Schulte in 1988, who led the team to tenth place in the 1988/89 Bundesliga season. Even if the relegation followed in the 1990/91 season, the fans remained loyal to the club.

Another highlight was the promotion in 2001 when Deniz Baris scored the decisive goal in the last minute of the game. However, the subsequent season was unfortunate, which led to a new descent. The promotion of 2010, also under coach Holger Stanislawski, remained legendary, marked by a historical victory against HSV. But unfortunately the descent the following year could not be averted, despite a dedicated followers.

social dimensions of football

What many do not know: football is much more than just a game. It is a social phenomenon that connects people from different social classes. From workers to university pofessors - all find a common denominator in football. The soccer field functions as a place of socialization and the search for identity, where fans breastfeed for belonging and community through the support of their team. bpb.de emphasizes that football is also a platform for the exchange of standards and values. It serves as a valve for many to process everyday frustrations and at the same time question the classic social structures.

Football has a story that is shaped by social rituals. Even if it is influenced by commercialization and professionalization today, the passion of fans remains unbroken to this day. In numerous fan cultures, such as those of the Ultras, not only the proud cohesion, but also a strong commitment to social issues.

FC St. Pauli, with all its turbulent ups and downs, is a prime example of how tight sport and society are interwoven. The fans are not only for their team, but also for the values ​​they represent - community, identity and unshakable loyalty that goes far beyond the soccer field.