Ionikos F.C.
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| Full name | ΠΑΕ Ιωνικός Νίκαιας PAE Ionikos Nikaias Ionikos Nikaias Football Club |
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| Nickname(s) | Galanoleuki (blue-whites) | ||
| Founded | June of 1965 | ||
| Ground | Neapolis Public Stadium Nikea, Piraeus, Greece (Capacity: 5,850) |
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| Chairman |  Christos Kanellakis |
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| Manager | Nikos Goulis |
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| League | Beta Ethniki (Β' Εθνική) |
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| 2008-09 | Beta Ethniki, 4th |
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| Website | Official site Club home page | ||
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Ionikos FC, also known as Ionikos Nikaias (Greek: ΠΑΕ Ιωνικός Νικαίας - PAE Ionikos Nikaias), is a Greek association football club based in Nikaia, Piraeus that plays in the Second Division (Greece). It was founded in June 1965, when Former president Alex Meraklidis merged two regional football clubs: Athletic Union of Nikaia and Aris Nikaias. In 1989 Ionikos joined the ranks of Alpha Ethniki (now Super League Greece), and since then has participated in the UEFA Cup in the 1998-99 season, and made it to the Greek Cup final in the 1999-2000 season. The club's colours are blue and white.
[edit] History
Ionikos was established in 1965, following the merger of the two most popular teams of the region Nikaia Sports Union and Aris Piraeus. Hopes for a distinguished and successful team did not realise, not least because the neighbouring team of Olympiakos Piraeus was interested in limiting the possibilities of Ionikos promoting to the First Division. It was the era that football teams returns were solely from gate revenues, so Ionikos presence in the First Division would damage financially Olympiakos. Still, the team was very close to promotion but did not manage to realise these prospects. On the contrary two times the team played in the Conference League, leaving a bitter taste to its supporters. Nonetheless, the loyal supporters never left their favourite team alone. Every Sunday, they were there and the stadium was bringing memories from hell. In 1975, in a match against Ioannina, 10.000 supporters packed a Stadium of 2.000 seats.
In 1982 Ionikos relegated from the Second Division to the Third Division. In season 1982-83, Ionikos leads the South Group of the Division. A few matches before the end of the season Ionikos entertains Athinaikos in a decisive derby regarding the team that would gain promotion. Despite the conditions of stormy rain 9.000 fans of Ionikos watch their beloved team to lose 0-1. The final match against Visas in Megara was the decisive one, the winner would gain promotion to the Second Division. The national motorway hosts a blue wave of 4.000 fans, who were ready to celebrate promotion. The first half is full of joy, as Ionikos is 2 goals ahead. However, in the second half Visas scores three silly goals and promotion turns to an unfulfilled dream. The players return to Nikaia, but they have to spend hours in the police station as 2000 thousand fans demand explanations outside.
The message is clear and the next season (1983-84) Ionikos marches towards promotion. The team plays great football, wins clearly the derby against Thriamvos who was chasing promotion 4-0 and gains promotion. Summer 1984 is marked by the major expansion of Neapoli Stadium. Gate 6 and Gates 3, 4 and 7 are built, increasing the capacity to 8.000 seats. The Stadium takes its current shape with Gate 3 turning the gate of the loyal and organised supporters.
The first four seasons in the Second Division are mediocre. Ionikos stand in the middle of the league table, easily escaping relegation from the early matches, without any second thoughts for ‘better’ achievements. Rather unexpectedly, season 1988-89 is the turning point. Ionikos surprises everybody and chases promotion. Once more, the last match of the season is at home against Athinaikos. Ionikos has to win the match to reach First Division for the first time in its history. And that’s what the team does. Great football, and a 3-1 win in front of the loyal supporters who have packed Neapoli Stadium. The fans celebrate in the Stadium and continue to do so all night long, from Amfiali to Memou Square.
The modern history...
Promotion was accompanied by unexpected problems. Dimitris Melissanidis, the then chairman of the Club who had led the team to the Greek Premiership withdraws, without providing any major justification for his decision. The team faces severe difficulties to find the sum that is required to participate in the championship.
Fortunately, Nikolaos Kanellakis moves forward. A businessman with substantial wealth, he decided to pay the financial burdens of the Club and became its new chairman. Ionikos participates to the Greek Premiership without any financial problems.
Due to the lack of experiences the first years of the Team in the first division were difficult. The renewal of the home ground contributes further to these difficulties. Although the first year relegation was avoided, the second year the team lost the First Division status. Relegation was the outcome of some strange results of the last day.
One year later (1991-92) the team returns to the First Division, only to be relegated the next season (1992-93). Once more the team fought for avoiding relegation until the last moment – when it lost an away match against OFI in Crete. That was to be the last relegation. Christo Bonef was the coach who lead the team to an immediate return to the Greek Premiership (1993-94), and a successful presence during the 1994-95 season.
The arrival of the Ukraine legend Oleg Blahin as a coach in 1995 marks the beginning of a new area. Ionikos turns to a team that is characterized by a winning spirit. Three years later (1998), N. Kannelakis invites a coach that had just been sacked by the national team of Paraguay, Sergio Markarian, to work in Greece. Having one of the three best attacks in the Greek Premiership, Ionikos plays an entertaining football, and joins the best Clubs of the country.
The reward was a ticket to Europe. In 1999 Ionikos participates in the UEFA CUP for the first time in his history. Ionikos faced French team Nantes, losing both home and away games, 1–3 and 0–1, respectively.
In 2000, Ionikos reaches the final of the Greek Cup, where he faced AEK. Over five thousands Ionikos’ fans spent the night singing and dominate the whole event. But the team lost 3-0, a score that was not representative of Ionikos performance. This Cup final participation marked the end of the golden era and the beginning of a relative decline. A lot of capable players left and the team lost most of its power
Their last great performance was in season 2000/01 with Oleg Blohin as a coach,when they finished sixth,mere steps behind Uefa Cup places.
In 2003, following a dreadful season, the team finished in the 16th position of the Greek Premiership and had to play a play-out game in order to stay in the league. Ionikos fans had to travel and conquer the city of Volos, where the team managed to beat Apollon Kalamarias 2-1, althought it played the last 20 minutes with 10 men.
In 2004, following a mediocre season, Ionikos finished in the 10th position of the Greek Premiership Unfortunately, on 21 April 2004 Ionikos lives the most tragic moment of his history. Nikolaos Kanellakis, the chairman of team for 14 years, died. Hundreds of Ionikos supporters, as well as other sports fans attend his funeral, where the flag of Ionikos covers the coffin of the late chairman..
Up until recently (end of 2007 season) they were playing in the Greek Super League Greece, however, having finished last, they will be playing the 2008 season in Beta Ethniki.
[edit] Supporters
There has been a history of supporters' clubs for Ionikos. When the team was competing in the lower divisions The Association of Ionikos Nikaias Supporters and the Fan Club of Agios Georgios were active supporters groups. On Ionikos's promotion to the Super League The Association of Ionikos Nikaias Supporters Rangers Club was formed, with headquarters in Elefterias Square, Korydallos. Before Ionikos's first Super League match the Rangers Club organised a parade of 2,000 supporters from outside Rangers's headquarters to the Aegaleo Stadium 2 km away. The supporters' club offices moved to Neapolis two years later, and then again to Nikaia in 1996, before returning to Neapolis in 1999. A second branch was established in Nikaia in 2004.
Ionikos fans have a rivalry with nearby clubs Proodeftiki, Egaleo and Kallithea.
[edit] Honours
- 1999-00 season UEFA CUP Participant
- 1999-2000 GREEK CUP Finalist
1993-1994 Champion
1997-1998 5th place
1998-1999 5th place
- Piraeus Cup
1978 Winner Cup
[edit] UEFA competitions
First round
Ionikos FC - 
FC Nantes 1:3
FC Nantes - Ionikos FC 1:0
[edit] Crest and colours
The emblem of the team is a resting star. The colours of the team are blue and white. The kit of the Aris Nikaias was blue and yellow and the kit of AE Nikaias was white and black.
[edit] Shirt sponsors and manufacturers
| Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Sponsor |
|---|---|---|
| 1992-93 | Lotto | Energized |
| 1993-96 | None | |
| 1996-98 | Telestand | |
| 1998–2000 | Casino Xanthi | |
| 2000-04 | Puma | Filmnet |
| 2004-05 | Mitre Sports International | Nectar S.A. |
| 2005-09 | OPAP | |
| 2009-10 | Puma |
[edit] History of the kit
Crest and Colours
The emblem of the team is a resting STAR. The colours of the team are blue and white. The kit of the Aris Nikaias is blue and yellow and the kit of the AE Nikaias is white and black.
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Kit Evulotion
        1965
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   1978
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1980
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   1989
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1991
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1993
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   1997
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1999
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2001 - 2003
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 2003 (2nd kit)
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2004
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2005
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2007 - 2009
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 2008 (2nd kit)
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[edit] Stadium
| Stadium Name | Capacity | Years |
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| Neapolis Public Stadium |
original: 7.000 (5,850 after 2000 renovation) |
1965 - 1998 2000 - present |
| Karaiskaki Stadium |
31.032 | 1999 |
The Neapolis Public Stadium (Greek: Γήπεδο Νεάπολης) is in Nikaia which is a suburb of Piraeus. It is the home ground for the football section of the Ionikos. The Neapolis Public Stadium build in 1965 and has a capisity of 5,850. Record attendance is 6.565 in a 1st division football match between Ionikos and Olympiakos on 4/2/1990.
[edit] Sponsorship
- Puma - Official Sportswear Partner
- Casino Xanthi - Sponsor,www.vivere-entertainment.gr
- Nectar S.A. - Sponsor www.nektar-drinks.com
- OPAP - Sponsor and shirt sponsor
- Nova Sports - Sponsor
- Nemiroff - Sponsor
[edit] Supporters
There has been a history of supporters' clubs for Ionikos. When the team was competing in the lower divisions The Association of Ionikos Nikaias Supporters and the Fan Club of Agios Georgios were active supporters groups. On Ionikos's promotion to the Super League The Association of Ionikos Nikaias Supporters Rangers Club was formed, with headquarters in Elefterias Square, Korydallos. Before Ionikos's first Super League match the Rangers Club organised a parade of 2,000 supporters from outside Rangers's headquarters to the Aegaleo Stadium 2 km away. The supporters' club offices moved to Neapolis two years later, and then again to Nikaia in 1996, before returning to Neapolis in 1999. A second branch was established in Nikaia in 2004.
Ionikos fans have a rivalry with nearby clubs Proodeftiki, Egaleo and Kallithea.
[edit] Feeder clubs
- Ionikos U-21
[edit] Current squad
As of July 5, 2009.
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Transfers In 2009-2010
- Kostas Chatzifountas loan return from Aittitos Spaton
Benjamin Onwuachi loan return from APOEL- Giorgos Aggelopoulos from Ethnikos Asteras
- Kostas Theodoropoulos from Toxotis Larisa
- Vaggelis Valaoras from Larisa
- Thodoris Berios from Thiva
Yoann Langlet from FC Stade Nyonnais- Kostas Tavladorakis from Ilioupoli
- Fotis Georgiou from Lamia
Transfers Out 2009-2010
- Christos Mingas free
- Dimitris Pliagas to Olympiakos Volou
- Dimitris Balafas to Trikala
Antonio Gonzalez to Doxa Drama- Panagiotis Bartzokas free
- Dimitris Tsoukalas free
- Stamoulis Petrou free
- Dimitris Gkikas free
- Dimitris Siovas loan return to Panionios
Gastón Casas free
Alex Gaston Kibikula free
Fabinho free- Anestis Anastasiadis free
- Athanasios Gogas to Anagennisi Karditsa
- Dimitris Gkikas free
- Stelios Kritikos loan return to Panathinaikos
Players Out On Loan
[edit] Notable Former Players
[edit] Famous managers
Sergio Markarián (1998-1999)
Oleg Blokhin (1994-1997) - (1999-2002)
Jacek Gmoch (1997-1998) - (2002-2003)
[edit] Managerial history
| Player | Matches |
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| Nikos Alefantos |
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 Hristo Bonev |
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| Oleg Blokhin |
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| Jacek Gmoch |
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| Sergio Markarián |
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| Kostas Polixroniou |
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| Oleg Blokhin |
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| Jean-Michel Cavalli |
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| Socratis Gemelos |
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| Jacek Gmoch |
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| Vaggelis Vlachos |
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| Sakis Tsiolis |
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 Inacio Soares Augusto |
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| Hadjinikolaou |
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| Jorge Barrios |
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| Giorgos Vazakas |
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| Nikos Anastopoulos |
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| Nikos Goulis |
2008 - present |
[edit] Seasons
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Since 1965-66:
- 16 seasons in Super League Greece
- 22 seasons in Beta Ethniki
- 2 seasons in Gamma Ethniki
- 4 seasons in A' Piraeus
[edit] Records
[edit] Club records
- Largest Win : Ionikos 8-0 Bizani (1966-67) , Ionikos 8-0 Anagennisi Artas(1974-75)
- Largest Loss : Vyzas 7-0 Ionikos (1971-72)
[edit] Individual records
[edit] Appearances
| Player | Matches |
|---|---|
| Giannis Xanthopoulos |
318 |
| Giorgos Daraklitsas |
290 |
| Nikolaos Frousos |
217 |
 Mohammad Nasser Afash |
196 |
 Oliver Makor |
164 |
[edit] Goals
| Player | Matches |
|---|---|
| Kostas Kottakis |
?? |
| Nikolaos Frousos |
64 |
 Craig Brewster |
45 |
| Oliver Makor |
43 |
| Giannis Xanthopoulos |
24 |
[edit] Records in Super League Greece
Last Update 19 Μay 2009
- First Participant : 1989-1990
- Most Partisipants in the League : 16
- Wins : 151
- Draws : 139
- Loses : 212
- Goals Scored : 552
- Goals Conceded : 727
- Record Win : Ionikos 5-0 OFI Crete (1997-98)
- Record Loss : AEK Athens 6-0 Ionikos (1995-96) , Olympiakos Piraeus 6-0 Ionikos (2002-03)
[edit] Records in Beta Ethniki
- First Participant : 1965-1966
- Most Participants in the League : 23
- Wins : 299
- Draws : 224
- Loses : 259
- Goals Scored : 925
- Goals Conceded : 849
- Record Win : Ionikos 8-0 Bizani (1966-67) , Ionikos 8-0 Anagennisi Artas(1974-75)
- Record Loss : Vyzas 7-0 Ionikos (1971-72)
[edit] Basketball team
[edit] External links
[edit] References
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