AEK F.C. ( ? Athlitiki Enosis Konstantinoupoleos), the Athletic Union of Constantinople, known in European competitions as AEK Athens, is a Greek association football club based in the city of Athens, Greece.

Established in Athens on 13th April 1924 by Greek refugees from Constantinople (now Istanbul) in the wake of the Greco-Turkish War, AEK has grown to become one of the most successful clubs in Greek football, winning 28 national titles (including 11 Championships, 13 Greek Cups, 1 League Cup, 1 Pre-1991 Mediterranean Games Cup, 2 Super Cups) providing the Greek National Football Team with many of its star players, and continuously appearing in European (UEFA Champions League and UEFA Cup) competitions, having participated in the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup in 1977. AEK is also a member of the European Club Association^[1] . The club currently competes in the Super League Greece^[2]

History

The large Greek population of Constantinople (now Istanbul), not unlike those of the other Ottoman urban centres, continued its athletic traditions in the form of numerous athletic clubs. Clubs such as Enosi Tataoulon () from the Tatavla district, Megas Alexandros () of Vathyriakos, and Hermes ( - Ermis) of Pera existed to promote Hellenic athletic and cultural ideals.

On 13th April 1924, a group of Constantinopolitan refugees (among them athletes from Pera Club and the other Constantinopolitan clubs) met at the athletic shop of Emilios and Menelaos Ionas on Veranzerou Street, in the center of Athens, and established AEK.

The founders of AEK established the club with the intention of providing athletic and cultural diversions for the thousands of predominantly Constantinopolitan and Anatolian refugees who had settled in the new suburbs of Athens (Nea Filadelfeia, Nea Ionia, Nea Chalkidona, Nea Smyrni etc). AEK?s first game was a 2-0 win against Aias Athinon.

Not possessing a football ground, AEK played most of its early matches at various locations around Athens, including the grounds of the Temple of Olympian Zeus and the Leoforos Alexandras Stadium.

AEK?s first president, Konstantinos Spanoudis (1871-1941), a journalist and associate of the then Greek Prime Minister Eleftherios Venizelos, petitioned the government to set aside land for the establishment of a sports ground. In 1926, land in Nea Filadelfia that was originally set aside for refugee housing was donated as a training ground for the refugees.^[3] AEK began using the ground for training (albeit unofficially) and by 1930 the property was signed over to the club. Venizelos soon approved the plans to build what was to become AEK?s home ground for the next 70 years, the Nikos Goumas Stadium.^[4] The first home game, in November 1930, was an exhibition match against Olympiacos that ended in a 2-2 draw.

In 1931, AEK won their first Greek Cup title, beating Aris FC 5-3 in the final. The team boasted a number of star football players in Kostas Negrepontis (a veteran of the original Pera Club of Constantinople), Kleanthis Maropoulos, Tryfon Tzanetis, Michalis Delavinias, Giorgos Mageiras and Spyros Sklavounos. The club?s mixed success during the 1930s was highlighted by the first Greek Championship-Cup double in 1939 and the second consecutive championship in 1940. In addition, AEK won the unofficial championships in 1941 and 1943.

AEK was Cup winner in 1949, 1950 (when was also Athens champion) and 1956.Thence, took the championship in 1963, with Nestoridis to be the top scorer of 1st division for 5th consecutive time. The club followed up with Cup victories in 1964 and 1966, championship in 1968 and became the first Greek football club to reach the quarter-final of European Champions Cup in 1969.^[5]

In addition, AEK was champion in 1971 (for second time at the last four years) Loukas Barlos took over the presidency of AEK in 1974, and with the help of Czech-Dutch coach Frantisek Fadrhonc built one of the finest teams in the club?s history. The Barlos ?Golden Era? saw some of the greatest players ever to have played for AEK.^[6]

Captained by Papaioannou, 1976-1977 saw AEK reach the semi-finals of the UEFA Cup competition, the first Greek football club to do so. Beating Dinamo Moscow 2-0, Derby County FC 2-0 and 3-2, Red Star Belgrade 2-0, and Queens Park Rangers 3-0 and 7-6 on penalties, AEK were eventually eliminated by Gianni Agnelli?s Juventus FC. Juventus went on to win their first European title.

AEK was champion and cup winner in 1978 (double) and again champion 1979.

Under Loukas Barlos, the Nikos Goumas Stadium was finally completed with the addition of the iconic ?Covered Stand?, or Skepasti (), which eventually became home to the most fanatic of AEK supporter groups, Original 21. The next generation of star players, fresh out of the AEK Academy, made their debut during this period ? Stelios Manolas, Spyros Ekonomopoulos, Vangelis Vlachos and Lysandros Georgamlis

With new president Michalis Arkadis and Austrian head coach Helmut Senekowitsch, AEK won the 1983 Greek Cup, beating PAOK FC 2-0 in the newly-built Athens Olympic Stadium. Thomas Mavros and 21-year old captain Vangelis Vlachos were the goalscorers.

In 1989 AEK was champion for 8th time and also Greek Super Cup winner.

After the 1989 triumphs, under Du?an Bajevi?, AEK built what was to become one of the most successful teams in its history. Led by Stelios Manolas, the team, which included Toni Savevski, Daniel Batista, Vaios Karagiannis, Vasilis Dimitriadis, Giorgos Savvidis, Alekos Alexandris and Refik ?abanad?ovi? dominated the Greek league through the 1990s with three successive Championship titles (1992, 1993, 1994). AEK also won the Greek League Cup of 1990 (beating Olympiacos FC 3-2) and the Greek Pre-Mediterranean Cup of 1991 (beating OFI Crete 1-0).

In 1994-1995 AEK was the first Greek football club that participated in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League after defeating Scottish champions Rangers FC, AEK was eliminated by Ajax Amsterdam and AC Milan, who made it to the final. With Michalis Trochanas as president and Du?an Bajevi? as coach, the club won the 1996 Greek Cup and Super Cup and also the 1997 Greek Cup. During seasons 1996-1997 and 1997-1998, AEK progressed to the Quarter-Final of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup.

AEK was also Greek cup winner in 2000 and 2002 (for 4th time at the last seven years).

Despite AEK?s on-field successes, the period was best remembered for the return of Dusan Bajevic as coach in the summer of 2002, a move that sparked open hostility towards Bajevic from a section of AEK supporters. Modest performances, though, were not enough as more off-field dramas unfolded. Punctuated by the demolition of Nikos Goumas Stadium, home to AEK for over 70 years, Demis Nikolaidis was let on free transfer by mutual consent and signed for Atlético Madrid, Unable to cope with the negativity from a large section of AEK fans, Bajevi? resigned in 2004 during a season match against Iraklis FC.

By now, on the brink of bankruptcy, and losing most of its Euro 2004 stars and experienced players to other European clubs,^[7] AEK needed a miracle to prevent it from being relegated to the Greek amateur leagues. Though both Kostas Katsouranis and Nikos Liberopoulos remained, Vassilis Borbokis, Grigoris Georgatos, Theodoros Zagorakis, Michalis Kapsis, Michalis Kasapis, Michel Kreek, Vassilis Lakis, Vassilis Tsiartas, and Ioannis Okkas all left the club in the wake of the troubles.

In 2004 Demis Nikolaidis, at the head of a consortium of businessmen, bought out the beleaguered AEK and became the new club president.^[8] His primary task was to lead AEK out of its precarious financial position.^[9] The first success was an arrangement through the Greek justice system to write off most of the massive debt that previous club administrators had amassed, and to repay any remaining public debts in manageable installments^[10] . A key factor to the recent AEK FC revival was the dynamic fans' come-back.^[11] AEK surprising many people finished 2nd, after media prediction had them to finish mid table. The following season Demis appointed Llorenç Serra Ferrer as head coach, and after a first successful season, finishing AEK in second and to within 1 point of a Last 16 spot in the Champions League, however during the 2007-08 season after unsuccessful signings and poor performances, he was sacked and replaced by Nikos Kostenoglou on a caretaker bases,^[12] After the end of a decent season, The team initially finished in first place in the league, but after the court case between Apollon Kalamaria and Olympiacos for the illegal usage of a player in the 3-0 Apollon Kalamaria win earlier in the season, Olympiacos were awarded the 3 points in a court hearing, thus finishing 2 points ahead of AEK.^[13] AEK president Demis Nikolaidis and several other managers and chairmen have been angered with the alleged court decision, stating that the Hellenic Football Federation knew about the usage of the illegal player prior to the game but didn't do anything about it. Giorgos Donis was appointed head coach on 14 May.^[14] His reign at the club did not go well. It all began when AEK failed to surpass AC Omonia in the UEFA Cup second qualifying round, meaning their elimination from European competitions for the season ^[15]. Key player Rivaldo asked to leave the club to sign for Bunyodkor on August 27 ^[16]. The league campaign started very well after a win over rivals Panathinaikos F.C. in the opening game of the season, but poor performances and results from then on left AEK in a difficult situation. Head coach Giorgos Donis was eager to leave the club, but president Demis Nikolaidis did not allow him to leave. Nevertheless, Nikolaidis left due to these dissapointing results and after a controversy with the clubs supporters Original 21 ^[17], leaving the presidency to member of the D.C., Nikos Koulis and Takis Kanellopoulos ^[18].

However, the series of disappointing results continued, bringing anger and insecure situations for everyone in the team. The first to be hit by this wave of disappointment and with the council of the team upset, was the coach Giorgos Donis, who was asked to leave the team ^[19]. On November 21, 2008, AEK hired Du?an Bajevi? as head coach for the third time ^[20]. However, the poor results continued and on December 1, 2008, Georgios Kintis was elected as the forty third president of AEK ^[21] .

Emblem

AEK's emblem of the 1960s

Club emblem of the period 1989-1993

In 1924, AEK adopted as their emblem the image of a double-headed eagle ( - Dikefalos Aetos). When AEK was created by Greek refugees from Constantinople in the years following the Greco-Turkish War and subsequent population exchange, the emblem and colours (yellow & black) were chosen as a reminder of lost homelands; they represent the club's historical ties to Constantinople.

AEK's main emblem underwent numerous minor changes between 1924 and 1989. The design of the eagle on the shirt badge was often not identical to the design of the eagle depicted on official club correspondence, merchandise and promotional material. All designs were considered "official" (in the broadest sense of the word), however, it was not until 1989 that an identifiable, copyrighted design was established as the club's official, and shirt, badge. The emblem design was changed again in 1993 to the current shield design.

Colours

The colours of yellow and black were adopted from AEK's connections with Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire.^[22]

AEK have always worn predominantly yellow shirts (striped or plain), black shorts, and yellow or black socks. The only exception has been in the unusual, but notable, Kappa kits of the 1990s (which featured a double-headed eagle across the kit), or in recent years, mainly in European competitions, when the club has worn an all-yellow kit.

AEK's traditional away colours are all-black or all-white; on a few occasions, the club has introduced a light blue, a grey, and even a dark scarlet kit as a third kit. In Greece there are no Home and Away kits, per se. Teams always wear their 1st kit unless there is a resemblance between both team kits. In case of a colour clash, the home team usually wears one of its alternate kits; AEK has often worn their 3rd kit at home against other teams that wear yellow kits.

AEK's current kit is manufactured by Puma, which is contracted to supply the club's kit from 2007 to 2011. Their previous kit manufacturer were Diadora, Kappa, Nike and Adidas. AEK's first shirt sponsor was Citizen (1982-83), followed by Nissan (1984-85), Ethniki Asfalistiki and Phoenix Asfaleies (1988-96), Geniki Bank (1996-98), Firestone (1999), Marfin (1999-2001), Alpha Digital (2001-02), Piraeus Bank (2002-04), which caused controversy because it was situated in Pireaus - home of fierce rivals Olympiacos, and TIM (2004-06). AEK's current shirt sponsor is LG.^[23]

Stadium

Main articles: Olympic Stadium (Athens)

Inside the Olympic Stadium

On 6 September 2007 a Memorandum of Cooperation was signed between the Greek Minister Finance and Economy, Giorgos Alogoskoufis and club Chairman Ntemis Nikolaidis that outlined the details of a development project for the construction of a new stadium at Ano Liosia. The Greek Government promised to provide for public land and access infrastructure, while the club will deal with the financing of the project.^[25] Although the memorandum refers to the construction of a 50,000, 5-star stadium, further details including cost estimates, exact seating capacity and naming rights or name for the stadium are still forthcoming. For the time being, the stadium is referred by some as AEK Arena, which is the preliminary name given to an earlier attempt at a stadium by a previous ownership.

Organised supporters

The famous Original 21 supporters

Original 21 has grown to become the largest Greek supporter group, with clubs all over Greece, Europe, and as far away as Australia (Original 21 Melbourne). The USA-based AEK fans clubs are located in Astoria, Queens and in Detroit, Michigan, where a football team has been established with the name "AEK FC" and participates in USA amateur championships and cups. In Australia, Melbourne-based AEK fans have established AEK Waverley, an amateur football team playing in the Victorian State League 2nd Division.

One of the biggest AEK fan clubs in Europe is based in Britain. Based in London, AEK Fans made their dream come true in 1999 with the help of Original 21. The history of the fan club goes back to 1992 when they gathered at a house. They started their trips across Europe to watch their favourite team play.

There is also a so called triangle of brotherhood between the most populous fan clubs of Olympique de Marseille, AS Livorno and AEK Athens FC, namely between Commando Ultras 84, Brigate Autonome Livornesi 99 and Original 21. Their connection is mostly an ideological one since the three fan clubs share nearly the same ideology.

Feeder clubs

• Anagennisi Karditsa F.C.
• Nea Ionia

First-team squad

For recent transfers, see AEK Athens transfers in season 2008-09.

Players on loan

In:

Out:

Foreign players

Up to five non-EU nationals can be registered and given a squad number for the first team in the Greek Super league. Those non-EU nationals with European ancestry can claim citizenship from the nation their ancestors came from. If a player does not have European ancestry he can claim Greek citizenship after playing in Greece for 7 years. Players such as Sebastián Saja do not count as non-EU because they have dual citizenship with a EU country.

International players

Personnel

Technical staff

• Manager: Du?an Bajevi?
• Assistant Manager: Lysandros Georgamlis
• First Team Coach: Antonis Kezos
• Fitness Coach: Dimitris Bouroytzikas
• Goalkeeping Coach: Slobodan Suica
• Youth Team Coach: Georgos Vamvakas

Board

• President: Giorgos Kintis
• Vice Presidents:Takis Kanellopoulos (co-chairman) & Nikos Notias (co-chairman)
• Deputy Managing Director:
• General & Financial Director:
• Technical Director: Stelios Manolas
• Public Relations: Anthi Papacosta
• Legal Advisors: Xaris Grigoriou,
• Press Office: Lina Roditou, Panagiotis Aroniadis & Thodoris Zagas
• Event Manager: Alexis Papageorgiou
• Security Department: Akis Takis & Giannis Kapogiannis
• Ticketing Department Manager: Spilios Fotopoulos
• Ticketing Department: Dimitris Alexandris & Nikos Xirokostas

• Board Members: Nasos Thanopoulos, Nikos Thanopoulos, Petros Pappas, Gikas Goumas,

Alexia Mpakogianni, Nikos Koulis, Stratos Fanaras, Pantelis Athinis, Dimitris Chatzichristos & Yannis Katrakazis

Honours

Domestic

• Greek League

Winners (11): 1939, 1940, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1978, 1979, 1989, 1992, 1993, 1994

• Greek Cup

Winners (13): 1931, 1939, 1949, 1950, 1956, 1964, 1966, 1978, 1983, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2002

• Greek League Cup

Winners (1): 1990

• Pre-1991 Mediterranean Games Cup

Winners (1): 1991

• Greek Super Cup

Winners (2): 1989, 1996

Note: AEK Athens is the only Greek club to have won all national titles.

Europe

Longest campaigns

Other notable records

• AEK Athens is the only Greek club to have participated in the quarter-final round of all the major European competitions.
• AEK Athens is the only Greek club to have reached the semi-final round of the UEFA Cup (1976-77).
• AEK Athens is the only Greek club to have participated in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League without losing a single game (2002-03).
• AEK Athens is the only Greek club to have advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup in 3 consecutive seasons (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03).
• AEK Athens is the only Greek club to have advanced to the last 16 of the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 3 consecutive seasons (1995-96, 1996-97, 1997-98).
• AEK Athens is the only Greek club to have advanced to the last 16 of European Competitions in 4 consecutive seasons 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998.
• AEK Athens is the only Greek club to have participated in a European competition's quarter-final round in two consecutive seasons (1996-97, 1997-98).
• AEK Athens is the only Greek club that participates in European Competitions for 21 consecutive years (1988-2009), excluding the season 1990-91 when was punished by UEFA.
• AEK Athens is the first Greek club to have reached the quarter-final round of the Champions Cup (1968-69).
• AEK Athens is the first Greek club to have participated in the group stage of the UEFA Champions League (1994-95).

UEFA rankings

UEFA team ranking Rank Form Previous Country Team Points 72 75 Athletic Bilbao 29.753 73 69 Dinamo Bucure?ti 29.415 74 83 AEK Athens 27.892 75 85 RC Strasbourg 27.490 76 77 Feyenoord 26.988

UEFA country ranking Rank Form Previous Country League Points 12 10 Clydesdale Bank Premier League 26.875 13 16 Axpo Super League 24.850 14 14 Super League Greece 23.915 15 13 Jupiler League 21.325 16 19 SAS Ligaen 20.650

Correct as of 29 August 2008

UEFA club competition record

As of 29 August 2008^[28]

Managerial history

This is a list of the last ten AEK Athens managers:

Key

* Served as Caretaker-manager.
? Served as caretaker manager before being appointed permanently.

Only competitive matches are counted. Wins, losses and draws are results at the final whistle; the results of penalty shootouts are not counted.

As of November 23, 2008.

Notable former managers

Chairmen history

Notable former players

see also AEK Athens players

Notable stats

Notes:

• Bold signals active players
• Correct as of 15 May 2008

Highest attendances

Shirt sponsors and manufacturers

Club anthem

AEK Club Anthem

References

External links

• AEK FC (Official website)(Greek) (English)
• AEKSHOP (Official merchandise)
• AEK FC News and Analysis (Unofficial)
• AEK Sports Club (Official website)
• Original21(Official fansite)
• AEK Fans Club (Official fansite)
• AEK London Fans Club site
• AEK Fan Club (Unofficial)
• AEK TV channel from Goal4Replay.net

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