5 REASONS WHY...

5 REASONS WHY...

ST PAULI SHOULD SHOW UNDER ARMOUR THE MIDDLE FINGER

The global, sporting apparel brand Under Armour is a fairly new company when you compare it to the likes of Nike and Adidas. Founded in 1996 by former University of Maryland footballer, Kevin Plank It has succeeded to be one of the fastest spreading worldwide brands of the last 20 years. Under Armour has developed sponsorship deals with some of the globe's largest superstars which include NBA and Golden State Warriors' star-shooter, Steph Curry. Curry, arguably being one of the greatest Basketball players of recent years. Also on their proud list of greats is the Carolina Panther's Cam Newton who has been one of the biggest NFL names in recent seasons. I'm sure there are hundreds more to mention. Yes, it's all very impressive. However the high-rollers of the sporting apparel industry haven't had it all too easy in their short life span. Notably, the previous few years...

Their 'top endorser' Steph Curry previously had shown outrage alongside FC St Pauli (who currently have a kit manufacturing contract with the giant brand) at the now CEO of the brand, Kevin Plank. During Donald Trump's run to presidency Plank said that the orange fascist was an 'Asset to the country'. Since making this comment, Plank has tried to backtrack and claim that he doesn't agree with 'All of Trump's opinions'. However, a number of stars and teams from all over the world (most of which are endorsers of Plank's company) have shared their disapproval of the CEO's stance on Trump. Here's a few reasons why I believe St Pauli should cut ties with the Under Armour brand...

1) FC St Pauli are, and always have been proud to stand against commercialisation.

Yet, only yesterday on the 5th July 2017 did Under Armour, as current kit manufacturers release their design for the 2017/18 season. The designs gathered a mixed response, both appealing to some and many others quite the opposite. However, which neither opinion appreciated was the hefty price tag. St Pauli, a small quarter in Hamburg who have a history of homelessness and a large percentage of unemployment definitely didn't support their team's decision to happily slap on a €74.95 tag on each of the three shirts available. For a club who with great pride, recognise the importance of football fans and their input into the club's running, it feels like a lot will feel let down this year. Questions to be asked to both supplier and the board on this one.

2) FC St Pauli's complete disapproval of patriotism.

Some of Under Armour's clothing line is definitely to be questioned, regarding in particular the supporting of blind patriotism of the United States. A lot of the U.S brands' t-shirts display the usual sort of shit you'd expect to find relating America to being the 'Best Country In The World'. Back prints frequently showing the infamous Golden Eagle splaying its wings. Some often plastered with the classic stars and stripes, and a few even ironically printed with the all too familiar the 'FREEDOM' across the chest. I suppose to a few it symbolises the love of their great country. (Insert Uncle Sam)

3) FC St Pauli supporting non-violence and the importance of animal welfare.

Now, this is a tough one as I'm sure opinions towards hunting are understandably shared on this topic. However, Under Armour as we know have their own range of Trophy Hunting sporting goods. Again, more associated with the U.S, Under Armour are proud to host competitions, sponsor and promote the killing of animals for human recreation. It doesn't stop there. Having taken a look on their website earlier today, I was more than disturbed to find a toddler sized t-shirt promoting the cruel and unnecessary 'hobby'. Add to that, the blood-lust, weird affection for arms and and the sick desire to have a Stag's head mounted above your Samsung 62" plasma... It just seems to portray a message which I can't imagine the vast majority of fans at St Pauli would support.

4) FC St. Pauli's take on Police Brutality and opposition to war.

Again, returning to a few t-shirt designs spanning back a few years, Under Armour love to promote clothing appealing towards supporting U.S Policing, Veteran Troops and Current Troops. As much as there probably isn't a lot wrong with that, at times it seems as if the U.S franchise are celebrating the terrible antics of war, of both present and current. FC St Pauli shouldn't be endorsing a company who are happy to make money and clothing praising such a dark and inhumane subject. Some of the Police based designs appear to be glorifying violence and idolising those (who at times) have abused their power. With blatant recent issues regarding policing and the deaths of many innocent and unnecessary, I can't see the Hamburg based team approving such a misuse of authority. I wont even mention this weeks G20 protests which have clearly escalated the people of Hamburg's opinion on policing and the evident brutality.

5) FC St Pauli could have chosen any kit manufacture, so why choose the Under Armour contract?

Understandably, times have been hard over the years for FC St Pauli and financially speaking, the club could always do with a spare bit of cash. Have St Pauli sold out? I don't think so. However, I do think that money has been the temptress in this deal. Under Armour, with a predominant U.S market have probably tried to infiltrate the European market here, one which over time I'm sure they will compete with Nike and Adidas in. I can't see any other reason as to why a club, so heavily against everything Under Armour is about would commit to such a deal. I see no positives, but I can certainly see a lot of disgruntled fans. Will the contract be terminated prematurely? I doubt it, seeing as Under Armour have probably ironically lead-lined their contract. I'd imagine a lot of money is involved and sadly, I think the fans opinion will mean nothing to Under Armour.

Everyone will have different reasons for and against this partnership. It's just that a lot of which Under Armour and Kevin Plank are currently standing for and supporting, I can't justify. St Pauli, a club famed and adored for their strong liberal stance hopefully will not tolerate such a poorly directed company.

Will we see fan protests? Player protests? I don't know. It would be interesting to see fans potentially avoiding purchasing the 2017/18 shirt along with future releases? Will fans possibly be taping up the Under Armour logo on their shirts? We can only wait and see what awaits us in the upcoming season.

YSP - Fanzine write up - My St Pauli South West Story

My St Pauli South West Story

by Tom Trump

As a St Pauli fan who's still fairly new to the fan base, I was instantly amazed by the following here in the U.K. Within a few weeks of falling in love with the Hamburg outfit I couldn't help but investigate to see if it was just me following this unique club. I guessed I wasn't going to stumble into a St Pauli fan in the local Tesco or queuing at the post office so I knew I'd have to start my search online. I stumbled across the Yorkshire St Pauli page originally and was amazed to find just how many individuals had gathered to support a team over 750 miles away. It was refreshing to know that I wasn't the only one, and there were actually a lot more than I had imagined. It was great to discover fans regularly meeting, sharing stories and enjoying the open community that YSP have created. At the other end of the country however was me, in sunny Devon. A county which is 94% white, highly populated by the agricultural industry and UKIP supporters and Tories. I didn't get my hopes up about meeting anyone who even recognized St Pauli, yet alone understood their notorious left-wing identity. Having searched for more and more pages similar to the Yorkshire St Pauli fan base hoping to expand my knowledge and attempt to find something a bit more local, I started to follow groups spanning all over the country. Derby to Glasgow and  to Manchester, it seemed that the U.K actually had a really broad and vibrant coverage. But still, I felt like there was a void which needed to be filled. Despite Devon and Cornwall combined taking up the majority of the South-West region, my attempts had revealed nothing remotely local on social media.

I decided to set up a project for myself, to start off a 'Devon St Pauli' group which would allow those to interact and share within the area. It gave me a hobby, something different which I was craving. I was so desperate to connect others who were both local and non-local into the group. Slowly but surely, through networking with the already clearly successful Facebook groups and pages, I welcomed a highly appreciated 13 members which doesn't seem a lot, but it built the foundations of that all important social platform and allowed those few people to be a part of something which we could develop. Only a few weeks ago I created the larger and more accessible 'St Pauli South West' page on Facebook. People started joining from all over the world this time. It was amazing to see people appearing from Germany, The Netherlands, Spain and it felt so surreal. I think it shows just how special the club is, with it pulling in so much interest globally. Social media has highlighted the scale of St Pauli's support worldwide, of which most clubs just don't have. In it's current short existence, it has been an honour to be able to share ideas and generate a fan base which is open to everyone. Seeing as I come from what feels can be quite a culturally deprived part of the country, it feels very special being able to invite and welcome folks like you and me who just want to share and embrace the ethos of St Pauli and follow the club we are all united by.

Over the last few months in particular, it has been really inspiring to see such great community within a sport which is often only portrayed as hooligans who care for nothing other than a beer and to verbally abuse each other. I'd like to thank those who have helped me organize what has been set up so far, that's going back to the original 'Devon St Pauli' group all the way up to the first few weeks that 'St Pauli South West' has now been running. I have a lot planned for the future and hopefully we will be connecting with everyone in the upcoming season. Manchester, Derby, Glasgow and of course Yorkshire St Pauli have all been such a help in promoting the page, and I can only thank them for their support.

If you feel like starting your own fan base up, why not try? There could be others in your area exploring and discovering, just like I was. St Pauli is all about community and unity. It's a great way to let others know that you, and many hundreds and thousands are out there. St Pauli have an ever-growing following which spans thousands of kilometers, it's something we are very proud of. Everyone I've ever spoke to within the fan groups and following in general has always been so friendly and welcoming, so never feel out of touch or not part of the St Pauli support.