“What things and beyond did Wilhelm Koch take on in those days to keep the leadership of this club for himself?”
(From the obituary to Koch in the FC St. Pauli club journal, January 1970)
“Appreciation to whom appreciation is due. That party comrade Koch… has taken sides for the interests of the Hitler Youth and of the sport within the Hitler Youth with desirable clarity, this we know to honour.”
(NSDAP Gau news for the district of St. Pauli, December 1938)
Only a follower or a man of conviction?
In 1933, Wilhelm Koch changed from chairman to “club leader” – and became a “Parteigenosse” (member of the Nazi party) in 1937. Older members state that his membership in the Nazi party “was never felt” within the club. He never wore the party batch. Yet, Wilhelm Koch must have had good connections to those in power. And to those who wanted even more power. This, the notes of the meeting at which he was elected for the first time suggest – and so does the successful development of FC St. Pauli in a period in which other clubs disappeared.