The Conversion Of St Pauli

"At St Pauli, they refrain from playing music or advertisements during this quarter of an hour so that the fans can sing their songs undisturbed. Songs such as “No one wins at the Millerntor,” meaning that even if the visiting team should happen to score more goals than the home side, FC St Pauli will never be defeated, can never be destroyed."

To mark our fiftieth episode, we offered up the chance for our listeners to choose an article. One of the most requested pieces, including the lucky winner James O'Donovan on Facebook, was Uli Hesse's 'The Conversion of St Pauli?' from our pilot issue, Issue Zero.

Europe's (the world's?) most noted counter-cultural club, deeply anti-racist and anti-violent, the story of St Pauli is down to much more than punk football and the skull and crossbones. They've come back from the brink of bankruptcy on at least two occasions, and Uli talks about the meaning of St Pauli, the district as well as the club, with some of the key figures from its past and present.

Head to www.theblizzard.co.uk/events for news of our next Q&A - at the Manchester Football Writing Festival on 1st September.

If you have any feedback comments or suggestions email podcast@theblizzard.co.uk or find us on Twitter @blzzrd.

Issue Zero. like all issues of The Blizzard, is available on a pay-what-you-like basis from www.theblizzard.co.uk. Digital downloads cost as little as 1p each (RRP £3), while a limited edition print version is available for £12 + postage. You can also find us on the Kindle and Google Play stores.