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Introducing The Football Sack's 'Adopted Club' from Greece. Followed by John Apotsis (pictured right with his club flag), PAOK Salonika FC is being announced as the Greek club for all followers of 'The Sack'!Here you will find a short history compiled by John, including club legends, rivals and why he follows 'PAOK'. And remember, if you have a club you feel we could adopt, or just support a local club in Australia, click here and let us know about it!
History
PAOK Salonika FC was founded in 1875 as Hermes Sports Club, in Constantinople, (a.k.a Istanbul, Turkey). In 1926, however, the club was officially renamed, P.A.O.K Salonika. PAOK's first emblem, adopted in 1926, was a four-leaved clover and a horseshoe. The leaves were green with the letters PAOK marked on each of them, a symbol devised by Kostas Koemtzopoulos (president of club at the time).
In 1929, PAOK changed its emblem to the double-headed eagle. The emblem, similar to that of AEK Athens, symbolizes the club's historical links to Constantinople and the lands of the Byzantine Empire, from where most of PAOK's original members and supporters migrated. The eagle depicted in PAOK's crest has always been displayed with wings folded, signifying mourning for lost homelands.
The club is also called the "Double-headed eagle of the North", referring to the fact that PAOK is based in Thessaloniki, the capital of the northern state of Greece, Macedonia. PAOK's home stadium is Toumba Stadium. Construction of Toumba started in 1957 and by the 6th of September 1959 PAOK Salonika and all club fans had a stadium, which they immediately worked to create into a fortress. Toumba has seen much improvement over the years and now has a capacity of 28, 706 seats. 'Gate 4' is the name of PAOK's hooligan fan base which was established in 1976.
PAOK has spent its entire history playing in the top division, winning two league championships (1976, 1985) and four cups (1972, 1974, 2001, 2003). PAOK also holds the record as a runner-up in the Greek cup (12 times). The number '12' is a retired number for PAOK in honour of the fans, whom the club considers to be the twelfth player of the team on the pitch.
This Season
PAOK finished 3rd on the ladder at the close of last season and made it to the 3rd qualifying round for the UEFA Champions League. PAOK drew 3-3 at home to Ajax, and 1-1 on the away leg and were, unfortunately, knocked out of the Champions League. However, PAOK qualified for the UEFA Europa Leageu.
In the play-offs for the UEFA Europa League; PAOK beat Fenerbahce 1-0 at home and 1-1 in Turkey. Since the start of the UEFA Europa League PAOK have drawn with Club Brugge on the away leg 1-1, and beat Dinamo Zagreb 1-0 in Toumba. Villarreal is the next team that PAOK faces in the group stages.
In Greece's domestic football league, (Greek Super League), PAOK's start to the new season has not been so stellar. Despite a win in the opening match against Panserraikos, PAOK has only managed three consecutive draws, followed by a loss to Xanthi and a stinging 0-1 home loss to Aris, (this really hurts to admit).
Legends of PAOK
Among some of the most notable players in the history of the Greek Super League, and in particular, players of PAOK are: Georgios Koudas, Aristarchos Fountoukidis, Achilleas Aslanidis, Theodoros Zagorakis (the current Chairman of PAOK FC), Zisis Vryzas and Angelos Anastasiadis.
Rivalries
By far the greatest rivalry that PAOK have is with city rivals, Aris Thessaloniki FC. The deep-seated hatred which exists between PAOK and Aris culminated in two memorable Greek Cup finals between them, each club winning one. On an annual basis, fierce derbies are contested for the Greek League, frequently accompanied by violent outbreaks on and off the pitch.
A smaller, yet equally as exciting rivalry exists between PAOK and AEK Athens. This rivalry dates back from the foundation of both clubs in Constantinople. Since then however, the derby was also evolved into a contest of bragging-rights for the fans of either city as the best in Greece: Athens or Thessaloniki. The same sentiment is also carried by the fans for those matches where PAOK will come up against Panathinaikos or Olympiakos.
Why I follow PAOK
I started to follow PAOK when I was 7. My father used to tell me stories of when he used to go to matches between PAOK and Aris, (he's a staunch Aris FC supporter). After watching a match with my dad late one night and seeing the spectacle the fans at Toumba made of the match I was hooked by the Double-headed eagle of the north.
The match my father and I watched was the 1st round qualifier of the 1997 UEFA Cup. Arsenal was taking on PAOK at Highbury. PAOK had won the home leg, and just had to win the away leg to make it to the next stage. After leading almost the whole match after a goal by Dennis Bergkamp, Zizis Vryzas scored for PAOK and the Double-headed eagle of the north qualified 2-1 on aggregate.
Since then my passion and love for the team I have not been able to see play as yet, has grown stronger. Still having close family friends in Greece who also support PAOK, means that I will have company when I do get to see PAOK play at Toumba. I am a member of the PAOK FC website, and get regular updates and check up on the team’s progress regularly. Thanking the person who invented Foxtel I also watch matches live, sometimes staying up all night to see PAOK play.
Links to AustraliaThe highest point of interest in the Greek football came in 1985 when PAOK won their second Championship since Greek football became professional. During the 80's, however, there had been a growing fanaticism of the fans. This transcended Greek boarders and saw fan bases for the major title contenders being created in major cities across Europe.
In Australia it is well known that the biggest Greek community resides in Melbourne. PAOK Inc. is the biggest fan base organisation in Australia for PAOK FC fans. The Melbourne club which also has a website, keeps every PAOK fan updated with all news, scores and fixtures.