Life after Relegation

Ethnikos Piraeus:
- Founded in 1923, they were a mainstay of the Greek top-flight from its foundation up until their first relegation in season 1988/1989.
- Ethnikos were Greek Cup Winners in 1933 and twice finished as Runners-Up in the Greek Championship (1927/28 & 1955/56)
- 1956/57 looked like would be the season where Ethnikos finally broke through for a League Championship, but a scandal robbed Ethnikos of the Title.
- With 4 matches remaining Ethnikos looked set for the Title & were due to meet Olympiakos next, but the match would never take place.
- Ethnikos was disqualified from the Championship, on the allegation of “professionalism”, as they had allegedly been in contact with Hungarian stars Ferenc Puskas and Sandor Kocsis.
- Ethnikos was docked 4 points for the affair and were barred from playing the remainder of the season, Olympiakos took the Championship.
- Ethnikos was based in Faliro (Karasikaki) from its inception until the end of 2001/02 season. Due to various disputes with Olympiakos they have never returned to the newly re-built Georgios Karaiskakis stadium and have since bounced around various grounds in Athens, they currently use Kallithea’s stadium.
- They are currently in Gamma Ethniki (3rd tier) and in contention for promotion.

Kastoria:
- From Western Macedonia, they were founded in 1963 after the merger of several smaller teams in Kastoria.
- They played several seasons in the Greek top-flight and stunned all of Greek Football when they managed to make the Greek Cup Final of 1980 and did even better by beating a very good Iraklis side 5-2 in the Final.
- These days Kastoria sadly sits bottom of their group in Gamma Ethniki and look likely to be relegated to the local regional competition.

Kavala:
- From Eastern Macedonia, they were formed in 1965 after a merger of several Kavala based clubs.
- Being the 2nd biggest city in Macedonia, Kavala has always had the ability to attract players and have had some very good players and teams in the past, with several respectable League finishes to their credit.
- Kavala were a mainstay of the Greek top-flight until their relegation in 2011, when the Koriopolis match-fixing scandal broke in Greece, which implicated Kavala’s then owner, Makis Psomiadis.
- Kavala are currently in Gamma Ethniki.

Iraklis:
- Founded in 1908, Iraklis are one of the oldest football club’s in Greece
- Founded while Thessaloniki and Macedonia was still being occupied by the Turks.
- Of course they are also the home of the Greatest Greek Footballer of all time, Vasilis Hatzipanagis.
- Despite their big support and stature, fantastic players and teams, they have only ever managed to claim 1 Greek Cup (1976), losing 4 other Cup Finals as well as being agonisingly close several times to claiming the League Championship, failing each time.
- The club’s modern history has been categorised with incredible levels of mis-management, as well as experiencing much financial hardship.
- The club currently plays in Gamma Ethniki and is some sort of chance of earning promotion to the Football League.

Ionikos:
- Ionikos were formed in 1965 after the merger of 2 local clubs, AE Nikaia and Aris Piraeus.
- After eventually achieving promotion to the top-flight in 1989, Ionikos would spend the best part of the next 2 decades at the top table.
- During this top-flight run, Ionikos managed back to back 5th place finishes in (1997/98 & 1998/99) and also made it to the Greek Cup Final in 2000, losing 3-0 to AEK.
- Ionikos has also participated in Europe, taking part in the UEFA Cup season of 1999/00.
- During this period, Ionikos was known for its very good footballing teams and they were also very entertaining to watch.
- They are currently in Gamma Ethniki and unfortunately look like being relegated.

Panachaiki and Aris of course have been mentioned many times of late regarding their rise, with both currently occupying the 2 promotion spots in the Football League, with OFI right on their tails and not too far behind is Doxa Drama. All 4 have suffered major financial problems and dropped back in some cases to the 4th tier of Greek Football.

Kalamata, Niki Volos, Olympiakos Volos, Pierikos, Athinaikos are also some other notable clubs who have risen to some great heights in Greek Football but now wallow in the lower leagues.

The beauty about this sport is though, if you can sort your club out off the field, you will always have the chance to rise again.

By Maik for Hellas Football

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