At the end of an extraordinary week in which he tied the knot, Jackson Irvine's love affair with St Pauli was completed when the Socceroo captain led them to a triumph that ensures they return to the German top-flight as Bundesliga 2 champions.
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The Socceroo and his Australian national team colleague Connor Metcalfe were caught up in ecstatic scenes on Sunday as they enjoyed a 2-1 triumph at Wehen Wiesbaden on the final day of the season to lift the second-tier crown.
Enjoying an assist in their comeback win before being chaired aloft by his team's passionate fans put the seal on a landmark week for 31-year-old Irvine, who got married in midweek in Denmark to his fiancee Jemilla Pir just days after St Pauli sealed their promotion back to the Bundesliga after 13 years.
Merrily celebrating that triumph with more than a few beers, the ceremony then had to be delayed because a slightly worse-for-wear Irvine forgot to take his passport to the wedding.
Eventually, the ceremony took place the next day, with Pir having posted an unflattering picture of Irvine on social media accompanied by the message: "When you've been drunk for 2 days and forget to take your passport to your marriage appointment."
It came alongside three clown emojis.
But Irvine was back on time for his inspirational day job on Sunday, helping lead his side from a goal down to the victory that earned them the title ahead of Holstein Kiel, who had to settle for second after their 2-1 victory at Hanover.
Irvine has become a much-loved cult figure at the bohemian club St Pauli, celebrated for its alternative approach to life, its left-wing fans, complete with pirate flags, and its support of worthy social causes.
"We sat down on the first day of this season and set the championship as our goal. That was the benchmark every day for us, for the staff and for every single player, and that's what everyone brought to the table every day this season," beamed Irvine.
"In the hard moments, in the good moments. This is the reward for each individual. The fact that we achieved this is incredible."
St Pauli's triumph caps a fine 14-year European sojourn for the one-time Melbourne Victory junior Irvine, with the promise of more to come in his first taste of life among one of the big five leagues next season.
Australian Associated Press
