Iraklis 1908 F.C.
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C.. (Discuss) Proposed since January 2012. |
| Full name | AEP (Template:Lang-el) | ||
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| Founded | 1977 (as Pontioi Katerini F.C.), | ||
| Ground | Kaftanzoglio Stadium, Thessaloniki | ||
| Capacity | 27,770 | ||
| Chairman | Theodoros Papadopoulos | ||
| Manager | Soulis Papadopoulos [1][2] | ||
| League | Football League 2 (North) | ||
| Website | http://www.aepiraklis.gr | ||
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History
Background behind merger
Iraklis
Iraklis, after a long run in the Greek Superleague, was relegated three tiers in a few months. First, they got demoted to the Football League due to forgery,[3] then to Football League 2 because they appealed to civil courts for the first decision,[4] and finally to Delta Ethniki because the Professional Sports Committee (EEA) didn't grant them a professional licence.[5] This situation spurred reactions from Iraklis fans, with demonstrations in Thessaloniki and Athens.[6][7]
The team finally competed in the 2011–12 Delta Ethniki, which started late due to Koriopolis, without much success.[8] Meanwhile, the club's board was discussing a possible merger with another club.[9] There were discussions with local teams Agrotikos Asteras and Anagennisi Epanomi,[8] but only the ones with Pontioi were successful, and a pre-agreement contract was signed between Iraklis and Pontioi on 3 January 2011.[10]
Pontioi Katerini
Pontioi Katerini F.C. (Greek: Αθλητική Ένωση Ποντίων Κατερίνης) was a local football club founded in 1977, which was based on Katerini, Greece. In 2010, they had won promotion from the Delta Ethniki as champions of Group 3,[11] and since then they competed in the Football League 2.
They had won twice the regional championship of the football federation of Pieria, gaining a place in Delta Ethniki; once in 1993-94 and again in 2008-09. The club had also won the regional federation cup thrice in 1985-86, 2008-09 and 2009-10.
Merger
On 3 January 2012, the two teams reached an agreement regarding the running of the new club, with further negotiations planned after six months.[12] Pontioi Katerinis would change their name to AEP Iraklis, take the badge and colors of Iraklis, and move to Kaftanzoglio Stadium.[13] The squad would consist of players from both teams and be trained in Katerini.[12]
On 20 January 2012, the merger was approved by amateur Iraklis, and their football team withdrew from the Delta Ethniki.[13] On 23 January 2012, the team played their first game at home against Tilikratis, while pending approval of the merger by the EEA.[14]
Stadium
On 6 November 1960 Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. played its first match in Kaftanzoglio Stadium, to record a 2-1 win against M.G.S.S. Thermaikos Thessalonikis.[15] Kaftanzoglio was the home ground of Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. until that team disbanded. AEP Iraklis F.C. also chose to play on Kaftanzoglio instead of Katerini after the merger.
Supporters
Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. was well supported right from the start of its establishment. Even though the football section wasn't the most popular among club loyals in the very first years, it soon became the "flagship" of the sports club as football became more and more popular.
The most prominent supporter's club of the Iraklis Thessaloniki F.C. was Aftonomi Thira 10 (meaning Autonomous Gate 10), a fan club with a total of 15 branches in Northern Greece (2 in Thessaloniki, also in Kavala, Kilkis, Kozani, Nea Moudania, Trilofos, Valmada, Stratoni, Chalastra, Serres, Florina, Lagadas, Alexandreia, Nea Michaniona).[16] The fan club is known for holding an antiracist stance, as it participates in the Ultras Antiracist Festival.[17] Other activities of the fan club include the publication of a magazine and the conduct of an annual festival.[18][19] Other minor supporters' clubs were SFISE, Blue Boys, A.P.A.T.S.I. and Iraklis Fan Club of Athens.[20]
The fans continue to support Iraklis in the new form of AEP Iraklis F.C..
Iraklis' supporters hold ties with the supporters of FSV Mainz and Rayo Vallecano as those have shown their support during Iraklis' supporters rallies against Superleague's refusal to grant Iraklis a license to participate in the 2010-2011 Superleague season.[21]
Current squad
As of 4 February 2012[update] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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References
- ^ "Επί του Πιεστηρίου" (in Greek). Libero FM. 12 February 2012.
- ^ "Σούλης αντί του Μπίλη" (in Greek). Σπορτ 24. 12 February 2012.
- ^ Georgakis, Giannis (May 15, 2011). "Superleague: Direct relegation of Iraklis". To Vima.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) Template:Gr icon - ^ "Iraklis demoted to Football League 2". Kathimerini. September 19, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) Template:Gr icon - ^ "ΕΕA: Iraklis and 8 other teams to Delta Ethniki". To Vima. September 26, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) Template:Gr icon - ^ "Massive demonstration of Iraklis fans in Aristotelous Square". Eleftherotypia. May 10, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) Template:Gr icon - ^ "Tempi closed by Iraklis fans". Ta Nea. June 6, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) Template:Gr icon - ^ a b "Iraklis win-less in Delta Ethniki". Eleftherotypia. December 14, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) Template:Gr icon - ^ "Iraklis looking for marticule number". Goal News. November 20, 2011.
{{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) Template:Gr icon - ^ Papafillipakis, Babis (January 3, 2012). "Iraklis found marticule number". Zougla online. Template:Gr icon
- ^ "2009–10 Delta Ethniki, Group 3 standings". Perifereiako.com. Archived from the original on May 28, 2010. Retrieved January 23, 2012. Template:Gr icon
- ^ a b "And it became... AEP Iraklis". NOVA–Sport FM 94,6. January 20, 2012. Template:Gr icon
- ^ a b Ioakimidou, Dora. "Iraklis became MAEP Katerini". acadimies.gr. Retrieved January 23, 2012. Template:Gr icon
- ^ "New Iraklis started... on the wrong foot". Contra.gr. January 23, 2012. Template:Gr icon
- ^ "Σημαντικές στιγμές στο Καυτανζόγλειο σταδιο". kaftanzoglio stadium official site. Retrieved 28 January 2011.
- ^ "Σύνδεσμοι ΑΘ10" (in Greek). Αυτόνομη Θύρα 10 Official site. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
- ^ "Αντιρατσιστικό οπαδικό μήνυμα" (in Greek). gazzetta.gr. 4 July 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
- ^ "Το περιοδικό της "Αυτόνομης"" (in Greek). Bluearena.gr. 20 September 2010. Archived from the original on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help) - ^ "SICK 'N' BLUE festival στο Ιβανώφειο" (in Greek). Bluearena.gr. 25 May 2010. Retrieved 25 january 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Ανακοίνωση Συνδέσμων - ΓΣ - ΠΑΕ - ΚΑΕ" (in Greek). Αυτόνομη Θύρα 10 Official site. 2 January 2011. Retrieved 25 january 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|accessdate=(help) - ^ "Ο Ηρακλής, η Μάιντς και οι υπόλοιπες τέσσερις" (in Greek). Bluearena.gr. 10 october 2010. Archived from the original on 14 December 2010. Retrieved 25 January 2011.
{{cite web}}: Check date values in:|date=(help); Unknown parameter|deadurl=ignored (|url-status=suggested) (help)
External Links
Official Sites
Press
Media
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