"IMAGINE you are an established publisher of sporting books and an author arranges to meet with you to discuss his idea for a football-related tale.

The omens are not good. Far to many football tomes stick to a bland template, churning out stories we have heard before and presenting their authors with often cumbersome opportunities to settle old scores.

You welcome the author and listen, quietly considering the likelihood of his book’s appeal. As the meeting draws to a close, you scan your hand-written notes.

The author proposes to write about an obscure German football club, relegated from the Bundesliga in 2011 and now playing in the second division.

The club finds itself forever in the shadow of a more famous and considerably more successful near-neighbour.

Its recent history includes hosting the 2006 ‘FIFI World Cup’ for nations such as Greenland and Tibet not recognised by the world football’s governing body.

At its helm is the first openly gay, transvestite president in German football and it boasts the largest number of female fans of any German club.

Its ‘fundamental principles’, coupled with an association with pirates, make it the most left-wing club you are ever likely to happen upon.

Fair play to Sports Books Limited for not only considering author Nick Davidson’s pitch, but publishing Pirates Punks & Politics, a refreshing change from some recently-published football tripe.

Davidson tells of how he fell out of love with the English game and the highly-polished, corporate image it endeavours to project.

He found FC St Pauli, Hamburg’s other club, whose ground is located in the city’s red light district and plays host to an alternative fans scene - and the players are an integral part of this too.

Davidson describes attending a thrilling FC Pauli cup tie against Bayer Leverkusen, replete with last-gasp winner, after which the players spend quarter of an hour parading around the ground, high-fiving fans applauding and saluting them.

He asks a Pauli fan whether these celebrations are due to the nature of the victory over Bundesliga opposition. “No,” she replies. “It’s like this every time we win a game.” Davidson was hooked and so will all the readers be of this distinctive story." **SEE Friday's Observer for all the latest sports news and action** **FOLLOW the Observer on Twitter at @Observer_sports**