Panetolikos

Panetolikos F.C.

Panetolikos F.C.

Football club

Panetolikos Football Club (Greek: ΠΑΕ Παναιτωλικός), or with its full name Panetolikós Yimnastikós Filekpedeftikós Síllogos (Greek: Παναιτωλικός Γυμναστικός Φιλεκπαιδευτικός Σύλλογος; Pan-Aetolian Gymnastic and Educational Club), is a Greek professional football club. It was based in Agrinio, Greece. Panetolikos was founded in 1926 and is considered one of the historical clubs in Greece, currently participating in the Greek First Division. Some of the most well known players that started their career in the club are Stratos Apostolakis, former Greek recordman in international caps (96), and Petros Michos.

Quick Facts Full name, Nickname(s) ...

Team colors are yellow and blue. The club's symbol is Titormus, the ancient Aetolian hero and their motto is "Τίτορμος Αιτωλός Ούτος Άλλος Ηρακλής" (Títormos Etolós Oútos Állos Iraklís), translated as Titormus the Aetolian is another Heracles.[1]

History

Formation and early years

Panetolikos was founded on Tuesday March 9, 1926 with the purpose, as stated in its statutes: "The development and intensification of Gymnastic and Racing, The -ETHIC- supervision and the possible after-school education of minors, through childhood and EASTERN or Sunday schools". People had the idea of creating the club they did the act: "Healthy mind in a healthy body". The unprecedented thought and goal of the founders, to provide education to the needy children through its Night Schools, added in its title the word "Educational Educator" and became an example to imitate all the Associations in Greece. Beyond sports, his social offer was enormous in very difficult times. Hundreds of poor children learned letters at Night Schools that worked and cared for themselves in society. This athletico-social organization has written glory pages for Agrinio. Sections of classic sports, volleyball, basketball, shooting, etc. were created although its football team was the one loved by Aetolians and Akarnans.

In the season 1954–55, Panetolikos participated for the first time in his history at the Pan-Hellenic Championship, as the club finished in the first position of the southern group of the regional championship as one of the six teams that took part in his final stage. In the 1960s, Panetolikos played in the Second National Championship and after relegation to the local (1972), he returned dynamically.[2][3] In the spring of 1975 celebrates the rise to Alpha Ethniki.[4] Panetolikos fought two seasons (1975–1977) and followed an unsuccessful return attempt. It followed for about twenty years where it was in the smallest category to return to the period 1975–76. In the first class, Panetolikos remained in the following year (1976–77), but then returned to the lower classes where the club remained for more than 30 years. Seven years later, Panetolikos was relegated from the 2nd and in the period 1984–85, Panetolikos conquered the championship of Gamma Ethniki.

Panetolikos winning Delta Ethniki's championship in 1989, Gamma Ethniki's championship in 1992 and 1996, and one year after Panetolikos touches the dream of returning to Alpha Ethniki, which the powerful of the season deprives him. The new millennium finds him on a downward course and is relegated to Delta Ethniki.[5]

Kostoulas era

In the summer of 2005, the new Greek owner Fotis Kostoulas,[6] coming from Sweden and wanting to take the reins of the city team from which he came, presented his plans for the future of the club and followed a radical refurbishment of the stadium. More specifically, the following projects were completed by the end of 2006: new turf, construction of a shelter above the western pit, renovation of the interior (changing rooms, cafe-bar, clubs, boutique shops), construction of new newspapers and suites, On the two platforms, regeneration of the surrounding area. In addition, in 2009, a new roofed frieze was built with a capacity of about 120 distinct seats above the small east stand.[7]

2008–09 Season: Promotion to Second Division

Panetolikos won an epic play-offs tie against fellow third-tier side Rodos to win promotion to the Beta Ethniki for the 2009–10 season.[8] The tie was played in Athens at the Nea Smyrni Stadium, in front of full house, with 8,000 loyal fans traveling from Agrinio to support the team.[9] After going down 1–0 early, the team staged an impressive fight back to win the game 2–1 with two goals in the last 5 minutes. Scenes of joy followed as one of the better-supported teams in rural Greece won promotion. Now in the Football League, Panetolikos continue to get terrific support, both home and away.

2010–11 Season: Promotion to the Super League

After terrific performances inside and outside Agrinio, Panetolikos won the last three critical matches (Ethnikos-Panetolikos 0–1, Panetolikos-Diagoras Rodou 3–0 and Ilioupoli-Panetolikos 2–3) and promoted to Super League.[10] The team's 2010 performances have set new records for the Football League championship: point record (75 gathered after 34 games), away wins record (10 wins out of 23 total).[11] Panetolikos had celebrated their promotion at home with a Friendly match against Panionios, a Super League team, on 20 May 2011.[12][13]

2011–12 Season: Demotion to the Football League

After a very bad second round of results at the Super League, Panetolikos demoted to the Football League. The chairman of the club, Mr. Kostoulas after seven years, resigned from his position. After this, the whole board resigned. Most of the players left the club, said that they wanted to return to their countries, or they want to play for other teams with better contracts.

2012–13 Season: Promotion to the Super League

With Mr. Kostoulas again as a president, Panetolikos got promoted to the Super League via play-offs after six difficult games, especially the last one with Olympiacos Volos, which Panetolikos won 1–2.[14] After the end of the game, the city of Agrinio celebrated the promotion until dawn.[15]

2013–14 & 2014–15 Seasons

Main article: 2013–14 Panetolikos F.C. season

The team had its most successful year so far in the First Division, finishing in the 8th place.[16] In 2014–15 season, form of the team improved and finished First Division as 7th.[17]

ACF Fiorentina - Panetolikos FC in a preseason game in Moena, Italy (summer 2016)

2015–16 & 2016–17 Seasons

Panetolikos finished in the 11th place in 2016[18] as well as in 2017.[19]

2017–18 Season

The team finished at 8th place with good performances.[20]

Stadium

Main article: Panetolikos Stadium
Panetolikos Stadium, inside view in 2006

Panetolikos Stadium (Greek: Γήπεδο Παναιτωλικού -Gipedo Panetolikou) is a football stadium in Agrinio, Greece.[21] It is currently used for football matches, mainly as the home stadium of Panetolikos. It is located at Prousiotissis Street and it holds 7,500 people. Its highest attendance was 11,012 people during a match against Olympiacos in 1977. There are plans to increase the seating capacity of the stadium to 8,800 spectators. Nowadays the average attendance is 6,000.

Panetolikos Stadium has three stands. It has been used as a football ground since 1930, however, the first stand (the small one) was not constructed until the mid-1950s. The main west stand was built in the 1970s. Unfortunately, in the years that followed little else happened to the stadium, which gradually fell into disrepair. This was the situation until 2005, when the new owner of the club, Fotis Kostoulas, revealed his plans for the complete reconstruction of the stadium.

Stadium Situation: 2006–2011[22]

The stadium features plastic seats, the club's offices, Panetolikos' boutique and coffee shops.

2006: The big stand was completely renovated, a brand new stand with a modern roof.

2010: The small stand was renovated, in the center a second level of seats with a roof was added.

2011: Works have begun after the promotion of the team to Super League in order to increase the capacity of the stadium by 1,400 seats approximately. Plus, additional lighting was added. Recently the lighting has finished, with the power of each light at 1,600 lux, which more than satisfies the Greek Super League and UEFA's 4 stars (where a team can play UEFA Champions League games) requirements.[23]

2017: Scoreboard is added, completing the current renovation plans.[24]

2019: Recently the Region of Western Greece has approved plans of further upgrade of the stadium, with the adding of exhibition centers, new seating stands and many other features.

Facilities

Panetolikos' training center, named "Emileon", in Municipal Apartment of Dokimi, Agrinio.[25][26][27] Emileon, the training center that escapes from Greek standards and is approaching the European. Α real jewel, not only for the "canaries", but also for Greek sports as a whole. A jewel made by the president of Panetolikos, Fotis Kostoulas. Soccer fields, swimming pools, courts, tennis, basketball and beach volleyball create a unique place. A place that is enjoyed not only by the football players, but also by the citizens of Agrinio.

Supporters

Even though Agrinio is a small city, Panetolikos supporters known as "The Warriors"[28] & "Guerreros"[29] are known for their loyalty to their team. Supporters can roughly be categorized to Gate 6 which represents the most radical and young part of the team's fanbase and other fan unions which attract less radical and older Panetolikos fans. First division promotion has set in motion more Panetolikos fan clubs in Aetoloakarnania and northern Greece (Thessaloniki). Up until now, the prestigious fan clubs of the team are:

Gate 6

  • 1. Warriors (Fan club in Agrinio, since 1981)
  • 2. Guerreros (Fan club in Athens)
  • 3. Brooklyn (Fan club in Agrinio, area of St. Demetrius)

Other fan clubs

  • 4. LE.FI.PA. (Club of Panetolikos Fans in Agrinio)
  • 5. S.F.P (Club of Panetolikos Supporters in Agrinio)

Nicknames

Panetolikos was given the nickname The Canaries (Greek: Τα καναρίνια) in the 1960s, due to the team's colour. Panetolikos is very proud of its nickname, thus its mascot is a canary with the name PANETOS.[30]

Panetolikos was also given the nickname Titormus, from the ancient hero.

21st century league performances

More information Season, Division ...

Honours

National (7)

Regional (2)

  • Mainland Greece Championship
    • Championship (1): 1955
  • Youth Team, South Greece championship, 2nd and 3rd National Division
    • Championship (1): 2007

Crest and colours

Panetolikos crest depicts Titormus, the ancient hero of Aetolia. The club's motto (also depicted on the crest) is Τίτορμος Αιτωλός Ούτος Άλλος Ηρακλής, translated as Titormus the Aetolian is another Heracles.[31] The colours of the team are yellow and blue or cyan.

Crest evolution

  • Older
  • Current

Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors

More information Period, Kit Manufacturer ...

Current sponsorships:

  • Great Shirt Sponsor: Shopflix
  • Official Sport Clothing Manufacturer: Givova
  • Golden Sponsor: Interwetten

Players

Current squad

As of 26 January 2024[32]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...

Retired numbers

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

More information No., Pos. ...

Club staff

More information Executive, First team staff ...

League performances

SeasonCateg. & Pos.W–D–LGoalsPointsSeasonCateg. & Pos.W–D–LGoalsPointsSeasonCateg. & Pos.W–D–LGoalsPointsSeasonCateg. & Pos.W–D–LGoalsPoints
1962–63 Beta Ethniki 3rd 15–8–5 40–16 71 1979–80 Beta Ethniki 5th 17–5–16 56–36 39 1996–97 Beta Ethniki 4th 17–11–6 53–30 62 2013–14 Super League 8th 11–9–14 32–33 42
1963–64 Beta Ethniki 6th 15–4–9 47–30 62 1980–81 Beta Ethniki 7th 14–10–14 36–34 38 1997–98 Beta Ethniki 6th 14–11–9 55–42 53 2014–15 Super League 7th 14–10–10 41–28 52
1964–65 Beta Ethniki 2nd 18–6–9 49–23 75 1981–82 Beta Ethniki 9th 15–11–12 44–36 41 1998–99 Beta Ethniki 13th 11–8–15 43–57 41 2015–16 Super League 11th 9–8–13 30–46 35
1965–66 Beta Ethniki 3rd 14–9–7 42–25 67 1982–83 Beta Ethniki 3rd 21–6–11 53–33 48 1999–00 Beta Ethniki 8th 14–8–12 43–34 50 2016–17 Super League 11th 8–7–15 29–40 31
1966–67 Beta Ethniki 7th 15–9–10 45–32 73 1983–84 Beta Ethniki 17th 13–9–16 39–40 35 2000–01 Beta Ethniki 11th 12–6–12 39–45 42 2017–18 Super League 8th 9–8–13 31–40 35
1967–68 Beta Ethniki 5th 12–8–10 39–30 62 1984–85 Gamma Ethniki 1st 21–14–5 64–28 56 2001–02 Gamma Ethniki 15th 6–7–17 24–46 25 2018–19 Super League 9th 10–6–14 34–48 36
1968–69 Beta Ethniki 7th 14–7–13 45–40 69 1985–86 Beta Ethniki 10th 14–9–15 49–53 37 2002–03 Delta Ethniki 2nd 23–6–1 68–8 76 2019–20 Super League 12th 6–11–16 30–48 29
1969–70 Beta Ethniki 6th 15–7–12 47–33 71 1986–87 Beta Ethniki 16th 13–10–15 39–56 36 2003–04 Delta Ethniki 1st 27–2–1 81–8 83 2020–21 Super League 13th 6–10–17 20–44 28
1970–71 Beta Ethniki 3rd 17–7–10 46–30 75 1987–88 Gamma Ethniki 9th 15–9–10 46–32 37 2004–05 Gamma Ethniki 9th 14–3–15 38–32 45 2021–22 Super League 11th 10–7–16 32–48 37
1971–72 Beta Ethniki 18th 11–11–16 28–40 71 1988–89 Delta Ethniki 1st 22–4–8 72–27 48 2005–06 Gamma Ethniki 7th 12–9–11 33–27 45 2022–23 Super League 11th 7–9–17 32–53 30
1972–73 Regional 1st 1989–90 Gamma Ethniki 8th 14–10–14 45–40 38 2006–07 Gamma Ethniki 4th 15–13–6 56–33 58
1973–74 Beta Ethniki 8th 17–8–13 47–31 42 1990–91 Gamma Ethniki 5th 13–11–10 32–28 37 2007–08 Gamma Ethniki 3rd 18–8–8 58–28 62
1974–75 Beta Ethniki 1st 22–10–6 75–27 54 1991–92 Gamma Ethniki 1st 19–8–7 50–27 46 2008–09 Gamma Ethniki 2nd 21–7–6 56–14 70
1975–76 Alpha Ethniki 15th 3–13–14 17–41 19 1992–93 Beta Ethniki 17th 10–8–16 31–46 38 2009–10 Beta Ethniki 7th 13–11–10 43–36 50
1976–77 Alpha Ethniki 17th 9–8–17 25–51 26 1993–94 Gamma Ethniki 8th 10–16–8 45–35 46 2010–11 Football League 1st 23–6–5 47–19 75
1977–78 Beta Ethniki 15th 13–10–15 65–49 36 1994–95 Gamma Ethniki 8th 10–16–8 45–35 46 2011–12 Super League 15th 7–7–16 23–37 28
1978–79 Beta Ethniki 5th 17–7–14 48–46 41 1995–96 Gamma Ethniki 1st 20–7–7 61–33 67 2012–13 Football League 4th 20–13–7 55–23 73
  • Point system: 1959–60 to 1972–73: 3–2–1. 1973–74 to 1991–92: 2–1–0. 1992–93 onwards: 3–1–0.

League Participation

  • Super League Greece (13): 1975–1977, 2011–2012, 2013–present
  • Football League (30): 1962–1972, 1973–1975, 1977–1984, 1985–1987, 1992–1993, 1996–2001, 2009–2011, 2012–2013
  • Gamma Ethniki (15): 1972–1973, 1984–1985, 1987–1988, 1989–1992, 1993–1996, 2001–2002, 2004–2009
  • Delta Ethniki (3): 1988–1989, 2002–2004

Notable former players

See also: Category:Panetolikos F.C. players

Managerial history

See also

References

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