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 AEK FC history
While years went by, the club began to grow, perhaps beyond the expectations of its founders. The great squads promoted by the yellow-black Union and the continuous success in both Greece and Europe, combined with the important value of the Idea represented, gradually brought large crowds to the Club. A club that originally referred only to Constantinopolitans became over the years one of the major sports organizations for all refugees in Greece. At the same time, its dynamic was so impressive for the wider Greek society that it did not take long for AEK to become one of the top teams in the country.
AEK has been, is and will be promoting these values. The course followed for almost a century is and can be an example for all of us. And as it seems, this course will be followed by more and more people, all driven by the two-headed eagle, gazing with pride to both East and West, and the yellow and black colors, all inspired by the Byzantine Empire. Born through the ashes Costas Spanoudis, reporter and minister (at a later point) in Venizelos’ government, was the first president of AEK FC, professor Nikos Eleopoulos, was the Vice-President, while Timoleon Tagaris, Menelaos Karotsieris, Miltos Jeremiadis, Ionas (who became president at a later point) and Dimopoulos were the first members of the board of directors. The first achievements In 1929, the Prime Minister of Greece, Eleftherios Venizelos, gave permission for the piece of land in Nea Filadelfia to be granded to AEK for its stadium, which stood there until 2003. It wasn´t long after acquiring the club´s own stadium when AEK begun the cource of success. Three years later, the season 1931-1932, AEK won the first Cup beating Aris with 5-3 in the final. Kostas Negrepontis (a veteran), who was the club’s star, had also played in the Greek club of Constantinople Pera Club (which was actually the ‘ancestor’ of AEK) during the 1st and 2nd decade of the century. Maropoulos, Delavinias, Ribas, Sklavounos, Manetas, Tzanetis, Mageiras, Hatzistavridis and other exceptional footballers seemed capable of predominating Greek football. They made their way to the ‘double’ in 1939 (the first one in Greece) and became champions again in 1940 with Kostas Negrepontis guiding them, as the coach this time. The team’s course was stopped unexpectingly due to the World War II. The first post-war titles
Delavinias, Maropoulos, Mageiras and Tzanetis were playing, supported by the ‘new blood’ Goulios, Patakas, Koudouris, Poulis and Emmanouilidis. The last two along with Kanakis, Chaniotis, Serafidis, Stamatiadis and other great players, were also the winners of the Greek Cup in 1956 after beating Olympiakos, 2-1, in the Alexandras Avenue stadium. First Division Champions AEK’s next success took place eight years later, after of the first division was formed. Winning the Greek Cup in 1966 was the club’s next success. Despite the final match against Olympiakos being scheduled, it did not take place due to the opposite team’s absence, which resulted in AEK winning the Cup. In the spring of 1967, Tsaknady returned to the team and the championship of 1968 was easily won. Although Nestoridis had left the team, AEK with its stars (Stamatiadis, Sofianidis, Skevofilakas, Papaioannou, Serafidis) as well as many great new players (Nikolaidis, Karafeskos, Balopoulos, Pomonis, Vasiliou, Kefalidis, Stathopoulos, Vedouris, Papageorgiou) reached the top once again. Three years later, with Branko Stankovic as a coach and the additions of the goalkeeper Stelios Konstantinidis, Apostolis Toskas and the former Panathinaikos player Andreas Papaemmanouel, AEK won the championship for the third time in the history of the First Division and for the fifth in the club’s The Loukas Barlos’ Golden Era – An era of actions and success 1974 was a turning point for AEK, mainly due to one person, Loukas Barlos. He took over as a president and together with the Dutch-Czech coach Frandicheck Fadrock ‘built’ one of the best teams in the club’s history. Great players arrived in Nea Filadelphia: in 1974 Ardizoglou, Dedes, Skrekis and the Germans Wagner and Chanlinder, Mavros in 1975 (who played from 1976) and in 1976 Nikoloudis, Intzoglou and Christidis. With Papaioannou, Tsamis, Stergioudas, Nikolaou, Ravousis and Tasos already in the picture and the new additions of the above-mentioned players, AEK was led to its greatest European course. In 1976-77 AEK reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup, beating Dynamo Moscow, Derby County, Red Star and QPR, but did not make it to the final, after losing against Juventus, which eventually won that European title.
Under the presidency of Loukas Barlos, the construction of the AEK Stadium was completed and the famous and beloved by the funs ‘skepasti’ stand was built. At that time, a number of talents stood out from the team’s Academy, who, in the following years, became first team players, such as Stelios Manolas, Spyros Economopoulos, Vangelis Vlachos, Lysandros Georgamlis and others. The decade 1980-1990 In 1983 AEK won the Greek cup with the Austrian Helmut Senekovic as head coach and Mihalis Arkadis as President. It was the first Cup final to take place at the new-built, at that time, Olympic Stadium of Athens and, just like five years earlier, AEK won against PAOK with the same score, 2-0. The first one to score was Mavros followed by the 21-year-old captain Vangelis Vlachos.
The first title in football as a professional sport was won in 1988-89 with Stratos Gidopoulos as President and Dusan Bajevic, the former star player, as head coach. The decade of sucess The 90’s was a decade full of titles. 1992 was only the beginning, when AEK FC won the Championship under the presidency of Costas Generakis. After that, AEK, with Dusan Bajevic as head coach, became the team that, according to many, played the best football in the club’s history. With players like Toni Savevski, Stelios Manolas, Daniel Batista, Vaios Karagiannis, Giorgos Savvidis and Vasilis Dimitriadis, AEK dominated Greek football and won both the 1993 and 1994 league titles. At that time, presidents of the club were Giannis Karras and Dimitris Melissanidis.
The season 1994-95, the two victories against the mighty Glasgow Rangers (with star players such as Abedi Pele and Brian Laudrup), the Scottish champions, were the ticket to the first UEFA Champions League competition appearance. The first match at home, at the ‘Nikos Goumas’ stadium, was won with two goals by Dimitris Saravakos, while the away match was won with one by Toni Savevski. In the group phase, AEK played with Red Bull Salzburg, AFC Ajax and AC Milan. The latter two clubs were the ones that made it to the final of that competition. With Dusan Bajevic as the coach, AEK won the Greek Cup of 1996. One year later (1997) the success was repeated but this time with Petros Ravousis as the coach. Peace mission AEK F.C. had another distinctive moment which was probably more important than the Cups and championships. The trip on the 7th of April 1999 to Belgrade (which was being bombarded by NATO at that time) and the friendly match against Partizan (1-1) was a brave token of compassion towards the Serbians. It was the ex-president´s, Dimitris Melissanidis, iniative to which almost the whole team, along with a number of fans, responded. AEK F.C., a club born through the ashes and the pain of a destruction, could not have been less but a pioneer in such actions. The start of the millenium The year 2000 AEK won the Greek Cup with Ioannis Pathiakakis as the head coach. Ionikos was beaten in the final (3-0) with goals from Nikolaidis, Petkov and Maladenis. AEK won the Greek Cup again in 2001-02 with Fernando Santos as the head coach. In the final, at the OACA stadium, Olympiakos was beaten, 2-1, with goals by Konstadinidis and Ivic. At the end of the that season the two teams had equal points, sharing the first place of the league table. However, AEK F.C. did not win the title due to the results of the matches played between them. Being second allowed AEK F.C. to return to the UEFA Champions League, taking part in the third qualifing phase of the top European competition. After six years of absence Dusan Bajevic was again the head coach of the team. AEK FC eliminated Grasshoppers and made it to group A along with AS Roma, Real Madrid and RKC Gent, but did not qualify to next stage despite being undefeated (6 draws in six matches, a first seen result for the competition). The demolition of the Nikos Goumas Stadium The season 2003-04 was undeniably one of the worst in AEK´s history. The demolition of the Nikos Goumas stadium, the home of AEK F.C., took place in order for a new and modern stadium to be built in its place, which, until now, remains a dream.
Due to the demolition, AEK FC was forced to play at the Apostolos Nikolaidis, Nea Smirni, Tavros and Ano Liosia stadia. In Europe, AEK was eliminated from the Champions League group C, finishing behind AS Monaco, Deportivo La Coruna and PSV Eindhoven, having drew twice and lost four times.
At the same time, the financial problems and the ones in the administration were burdening the club. Before the season was over, in March, Dusan Bajevic resigned from his position. Ilie Dumitrescu took over and AEK FC got the 4th place on the league table, gaining the right to play in the UEFA Cup competition of 2004-05. 80 years of AEK It is said that if one does not know their past, not honor their ancestors and the place where they were born, then one cannot have a future. For this reason, AEK FC chose to celebrate the 80 years’ anniversary close to its roots, where everything begun, in Constantinople.
For two days, the memories were brought back to life. Constantinople welcomed AEK once again. The Pera Club offices regained their former glory. The history of the club and the values that AEK represents became again vivid, possibly more vivid than ever, in the minds of those who had the chance to be there and listen to the Patriarch say that ‘AEK is an idea and ideas do not die’.
This historic trip took place on the 11th of October. Around midday the plane landed in Constantinople and in the afternoon the team visited Fanari. Earlier that day they visited the Panagia Vlahernon church, the place where the Akathist Hymn was heard for the first time. In the evening, the administrations of both AEK FC and Galatasaray FC hosted a reception for the Ecumenical Patriarch Vartholomaios. The following day the administration, coaching staff and footballers visited the Agia Sofia church. The 80 years’ anniversary celebration of AEK FC was completed with the friendly match between Galatasaray FC and AEK FC. The match Galatasaray FC - AEK FC The match was as expected not the main priority of the trip. However, when AEK faced Galatasaray in Ali Sami Yen and was beaten 2-1, the club experienced possibly the sweetest defeat in its history. Under the cheering of approximately 1.000 supporters, AEK, with Soares’ goal on the 41’, was the first one to score. In the second half, the Turkish club drew with a goal by Aihan on the 62’. Four minutes later Ugkour Utsal managed to trick Chiotis and scored the last goal defining the final 2-1 of the match.
ΑΕΚ: Mihailidis (46 Chiotis), Alves (90 Maistrellis), Costenoglou, Soares (46 Solakis), Costandinidis, Kambandais (75 Tsagarogiannakis), Giorgopoulos (63 Bourbos), Tsevas (52 Kappos), Lymperopoulos (46 Petkof), Toskas (63 Moras), Asounsao (70 Voulgaris)
GALATASARAY: Aigut (91 Hakan), Tomas (83 Mehmet), Arif Erdem (60 Moulagim), Saidou (46 Tzafer), Umit Caran (80 Ozkourtan), Aihan (74 Artan), Sihan (64 Ugkour Utsal), Volkan, Imbraim (46 Kaferkan), Hakan Unsal (70 Sinan), Souat (85 Ugouz)
After the end of the match Fernando Santos said:
«It was a celebration-match for the history of AEK that was founded in Constantinople 80 years ago. We are all very happy for our participation in the match. The feelings from this trip are very intense. Being in the Patriarchate and the Agia Sofia church touched me deeply. We all had the chance to see and understand the culture that AEK represents. It is very important for the supporters and for the footballers to know and understand the club they are playing for. The fact that the AEK supporters had the chance to chant ‘AEK, we live only to see you in Constantinople’ is enough for us»
The speech of Patriarch Vartholomaios «Dear and beloved mister Nikolaidis, president of AEK FC, Dear members of the Board of Directors of AEK FC, Dear supporters of this historic football club that is currently celebrating, Dear beloved people,
Turning back the time to 80 years ago, we can see Constantinople with our Homogeneity at its peak both in numbers and in achievements. The Greek element in Constantinople was the pioneer in all aspects: literature and science, commerce and art, fine arts and sports, culture and economy. It was, without any exaggeration, the crème de la crème of the historic Constantinople society. Our Greek Communities were full of life, our Churches were full of Christians, our schools, from the City Schools (Astikas Sxolas) to High Schools, the well-known Educational Institutions (Ekpaideftiria), the old Patriarchic Great School (Megali tou Genous Sxoli) and the well-respected Theological School of Chalki, were full of pupils and students. Charity Institutions, Social Organizations, Commercial Unions, Clubs for Literature, Art and Sports were flourishing like flowers in the great fields of our Country. But history plays weird and painful tricks to our Nation. Things changed radically and the current situation here has nothing to do with the one of 80 years ago. The poet talks of former greatness and glory and advises: «to cry while narrating them». The great Patriarch of past years, my departed predecessor Athinagoras, on the contrary, strongly insisted: «not to cry while narrating them!...». Thank God, we are still here anyway. The words of the Apostles are suited for us: «although considered departed, we are here alive». And we exist and we will fight for our existence in the future. We believe in God and we will not give up on our hope. We are on the land of our ancestors, on our land. Our roots here go way back in the past, to the years of the advent of Vyzas from Megara. And on this land here we have shed very much sweat and tears. This land is filled with the bones of Saints and the blood of Martyrs, from the magnificent ruins of the faith, the strength, the wisdom, the humanity, and the high cultural achievements of our Nation. These give us patience and strength and willingness to complete our human cycle here. Even «as unknown and yet well known, as rich and yet enriching others, as owning nothing and yet having everything», with the blessing of Jesus Christ and the help of Virgin Mary. One of the glorious Football Clubs of our City is the «Athletic Union of Constantinople», found in the Pera region in 1924 that was ‘grubbed up’ at a later point from its land and ‘replanted’ on the other side of the Aegean sea, due to the well-known events with our Homogeneity. Your Club. «AEK», the club based in Athens now that honors the name of our City and the ancient symbols Orthodoxy, even on its crest. We are very happy to see AEK celebrating 80 years of existence. No, it is not old! It did not grow old! It is just full of history, achievements, experiences, offerings to the youth, titles and glory. We congratulate it warmly for this anniversary and wish that any problems that come up from time to time, for instance the current economic ones, will be overcome. There will always be people who, besides football as a sport, will see that AEK is basically an idea. And ideas do not die. They live, inspire, ravish and give joy. We are deeply moved by your personal example, dear mister Nikolaidis, and the ones of your friends, who, when the time became difficult for AEK, rushed to the club with care, equal to the one a son would show to his mother, to help, against the odds, in order for the club to overcome this last crisis and to continue its lovely course of offering to the Greek youth. We congratulate you especially for this lovely thought of celebrating AEK’s 80 years anniversary with this friendly meeting with the famous club of our City, Galatasaray, which will take place in the latter’s stadium tomorrow. We consider this initiative worthy of praise and congratulations, because it assists in growing friendly relations between the two new neighbor Countries. These Countries are inhabited by people and it is the people that create good relations. And on both sides of the Aegean there are people with good will. You gave your support. Someone will benefit. You gave your hand. Someone will accept it. You made an example of kindness, humanity and friendship. Someone will follow that. Our wishes will follow you tomorrow for your match. Not that much for the final result on the goals, but for the result on the hearts! Not that much for the successful handling of the ball, but for the successful offering of friendship, goodwill and love! With these thoughts and emotions we welcome you all, our beloved visitors from Greece, especially the administration and the players of AEK FC, and we congratulate the historic Club, whishing them ‘Happy anniversary’!».
The interview with Lefter AndoniadisLefter Andoniadis:"AEK supporter because of Maropoulos"
He is a living legend. Being 79 years old, he is one of the most recognizable people in Turkey. When he leaves his house in Prigipos and walks, which is his favorite habit, everybody greets him hello and rushes for a handshake, which does not come as a surprise. Lefter Andoniadis is possibly the best footballer from Turkey. And he is Greek. He never hid it. He insisted to be called Lefter. He was the first Christian to play in the national team of our neighbor country and the first one to score 50 goals while playing for them. And all these while wearing the Christian cross on his neck and being indifferent in any comments.
Throughout his long career, Lefter has achieved great things in Fenerbahce, played in the Italian Fiorentina and the French Nice and on his 38 years of age came to AEK due to the…whit of the former president, Kleanthis Maropoulos. «Once, when Maropoulos and Ksenos were playing for AEK, we won, 6-0, and I scored four of them» Lefter remembers and adds: «In Sarif I scored both goals of the 2-0 win. Maropoulos was a good person and loved AEK very much. But AEK did not have money at the time. Maropoulos told me «Lefter, come, sign here. I want to have your autograph, since you scored so many goals against us» and so I did. I didn’t even look. I only remember signing on a blue paper. I was at that time the coach of Egaleo. We had many new players and formed a good team. On the second day, Maropoulos gives a story to the press saying: «Lefter should dream on staying in Egaleo. He has signed with AEK»! The signature I put was not on an autograph, but on a contract».
His career in AEK was very short. He played for the club only for five matches, but that was enough time for him to form an opinion on the players that could excel. «I remember that at the time, there was a player from Pontos who was on the left side and had great jump skills. His name was Papaioannou. He was a good footballer with strong legs and skills for great shots. You could see he could jump very high. And Nestoridis was a centre-for. They played the 1-2 system».
Lefter left AEK very quickly, but did not end his career, even thought he was almost 39. His love for football and Fenerbahce FC kept him playing until he was 46 years old. «I had already made my mind that I won’t be playing when I am 46, but some reporters, who were friends of mine, convinced me that I should help Fenerbahce at that time, since there were many players injured or sent off. I did play then for two matches and scored twice. After these matches thought we were playing in Smyrni and we had to fly there. But since I have a fear of planes I did not go. And that´s how I stopped».
Before ending his career, however, he had the chance to face AEK again. «I remember being a Fenerbahce player when we played a friendly match against AEK in Nea Filadelfia. I was very old at the time, 46 years old. We lost. I missed a penalty. Throughout my career with Fenerbahce, which is 20 years, I missed three penalties. One in Besiktas, one in a European match and one against AEK. In AEK, however, knew my playing system and tricks. Serafeidis played with me and knew the way I shot penalties».
Many years after quitting football, Lefter still remembers nostalgically his experiences as a footballer. «I loved to score and I was the first one to score 50 goals in the Turkish national team. I had the number 10. In Fiorentina I played on the right side and in Nice on the left. Wherever the coach would tell me to play, I did. What was I supposed to do? It was nice everywhere I went. Florence, for example, is very beautiful, with a huge church in the city centre. Nice is amazing as well». Athens, of course, has a special place in his heart. «I have the best memories from there. I travel to Athens every year and stay there for a month or two».
The rest of the time is spent at home, in his house on the island of Prigipos. On the street named after him. «Lefter Fenerbahce Path». Lefter is an urban myth in Turkey, anyway, and has visitors like Hakan Sukur and other players seeking for advice. «I know he loves me. He has visited me in the past, when he wanted my opinion on something important about work. He sent me a Galatasaray jersey with his name as a gift, which I gave to my grandson. He has never worn it though, since he is a Fenerbahce fan».
From Pringipos, his hideaway, Lefter follows his great passion, football, and of course AEK, as a supporter. So, his final comment could not be but for the new efforts of our club. «I follow everything about football, through satellite TV. It is great that you are restructuring, using new players. From these you should expect many things, since they have the willingness and ability to work hard and improve. I also consider the presence of this coach as highly important. Santos is very good at his work and that is recognized all around Europe».
Statements of the protagonists
«This is a very special moment for me. I consider myself very fortunate to be here. As you know, I am from Cyprus. My house has been under Turkish occupation for 30 years and I cannot even see it. All this is about the history of 1.500 years and these are places that every Christian should come and visit. I am deeply moved and thank AEK FC for giving us the opportunity to visit this place».
Leonidas Kambandais:
«It was a new and exciting experience for all of us. We were already aware of the city, its history and its life and involvement with the club over time. Every aspect that has marked Constantinople and hurt its people is a part of our history. It was amazing to be in the land of our ancestors. A fact that wearied me was the current condition of Agia Sofia. This great church is left neglected and uncared for and there does not seem to be enough interest for its maintenance. For its preservation. The thought that it might be further damaged or even destroyed over time, brings me great grief and sorrow».
Dionysis Chiotis:
«It was one of the best moments in the history of AEK FC. We have heard so many things about the time that Constantinople was at its peak, about its culture that was flourishing, the Greeks that filled the city with life. Now, only few Greeks are still in the city but they are still trying to keep the spirit of the Greek element alive. We found out that the Greek schools are still operating and that is very touching. There was an impressive and breathtaking atmosphere everywhere. Wherever we would turn our eyes to, we could see elements of the new culture mixed with the old one, the culture that is still trying to maintain its existence along with a new and different culture that is being currently created. The mixture of elements from West and East cultures is also impressive. Two different worlds. This city has a very distinctive charm and beauty».
Stavros Giorgopoulos:
«I will never forget a single moment of those that we experienced in Constantinople. I consider myself fortunate to have visited Constantinople with AEK FC, because, being with the club, everything was received differently. We were moved very much by everything we heard about the formation of the club in this city. The tour to the historic venues of Constantinople was, of course, one of the best moments and an experience that is going to mark, at least my life, for ever. We were under the impression that we were visiting a city of another time, which made it difficult, like waking up from a sweet dream, when we later saw the influence of the new culture there».
Vaggelis Moras:
The new begining…
Throughout the season 2003-04 economical problems made AEK FC struggle for its survival. During the summer months of 2004 Demis Nikolaidis and a group of investors, after months of negotiations, took over the majority of the club’s shares. The investors’ aim was to help the club. Due to a court decision, AEK’s debts were reduced when money owed to former creditors was written off.
The club moved to the renovated Olympic Stadium. Many players left but Fernando Santos returned for two years. In season 2004-05, with the goal to build the team from scratch, AEK FC played with many young players and finished very close to the top of the table. AEK’s final position on the league table was 3rd, behind Olympiakos and Panathinaikos, after an amazing season. A key factor to AEK’s revival was the fans’ dynamic support, with an average of 27.500 spectators at the club’s home matches. The return to the Champions League
In the summer of 2006, Fernado Santos left AEK for Benfica and was replaced by the Spanish coach Lorenzo Sera Ferer. The Spanish coach left Spain after 23 years of career to come to AEK FC. With him on the bench, the club got to the Champions League group stage and gave some great performances. The first match to win in this competition was against Lille, 1-0, but the victory that marked the club was the one against AC Milan in the Olympic stadium, with the same score. In the national championship, the performance was generally good, but on the final league table AEK FC ended on the second position. Champions in the heart
The season 2007-08 found AEK FC starting from the same position, the Champions League group stage. However, Seville proved to be a difficult opponent to overcome for the players of Lorenzo Sera Ferer. The Spanish club, UEFA Cup winner of the previous season, knocked AEK out of this competition, which continued its course in the UEFA Cup group stage.
The club´s performance in the national championship was very promising, but some bad results in the middle of the season hindered AEK´s attempts for the first position. Lorenzo Sera Ferer was now history for the club, with Nikos Costenoglou as a coach. The last two months had AEK playing some magnificent games, with the victory over Olympiakos with 4-0 being the top moment, that brought the club on the top of the league table. Olympiakos, however, was the champion…according to the rules, since the three points lost by Kalamaria on the latter’s stadium were added, having considered Roman Walner´s participation in the match as ‘illegal on competition rules’. Almost Cup Winners
At the end of November, Ducan Bajevic returned to AEK and managed to improve the performance of the club. On the league table AEK was on the fourth position at the end of the season, and, through the play-off system, the final position of the club was the third.
The club did however almost touch the Cup. After beating Ilysiakos, Kerkyra, Skoda Ksanthi and Panseraikos, AEK played against Olympiakos in the final. AEK was winning with 2-0 in half time and with 3-2 on the 90’, however Olympiakos managed to draw the score and lead the match to extra time (4-4) and finally penalty shooters, when they won with 15-14!
Tickets: www.aekfctickets.gr
Administration: Executive Director: Giorgos Konstantinidis |
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