Panetolikos F.C.

Panetolikos F.C.
Panetolikos Football Club, or with its full name Panetolikós Yimnastikós Filekpedeftikós Síllogos (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.
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.
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. In the spring of 1975 celebrates the rise to Alpha Ethniki. 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.
Kostoulas era
In the summer of 2005, the new Greek owner Fotis Kostoulas, 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.
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. 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. 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. 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). Panetolikos had celebrated their promotion at home with a Friendly match against Panionios, a Super League team, on 20 May 2011.
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. After the end of the game, the city of Agrinio celebrated the promotion until dawn.
2013–14 & 2014–15 Seasons
The team had its most successful year so far in the First Division, finishing in the 8th place. In 2014–15 season, form of the team improved and finished First Division as 7th.
2015–16 & 2016–17 Seasons
Panetolikos finished in the 11th place in 2016 as well as in 2017.
2017–18 Season
The team finished at 8th place with good performances.
Stadium
Panetolikos Stadium (Greek: Γήπεδο Παναιτωλικού -Gipedo Panetolikou) is a football stadium in Agrinio, Greece. 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
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.
2017: Scoreboard is added, completing the current renovation plans.
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. 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" & "Guerreros" 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.
Panetolikos was also given the nickname Titormus, from the ancient hero.
21st century league performances
Honours
National (7)
Football League (Second Division)
Championships (2): 1974–75, 2010–11
Gamma Ethniki (Third Division)
Championships (3): 1984–85, 1991–92, 1995–96
Delta Ethniki (Fourth Division)
Championships (2): 1988–89, 2003―04
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. The colours of the team are yellow and blue or cyan.
Crest evolution
Kit manufacturers and shirt sponsors
Current sponsorships:
Great Shirt Sponsor: Shopflix
Official Sport Clothing Manufacturer: Givova
Golden Sponsor: Interwetten
Players
Current squad
Out on loan
Retired numbers
Club staff
League performances
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
Albania
Pavli Vangjeli
Mario Gurma
Simon Rrumbullaku
Redon Bryshlli
Aurel Demo
Roni Karai
Enea Mihaj
Kristo Koka
Angelo Muka
Jurgen Lleshi
Fialbi Lleshi
Algeria
Raïs M'Bolhi
Aymen Tahar
Argentina
Daniel Roberto Gil
Lucas de Francesco
Bruno Martelotto
Lucas Favalli
Fernando Godoy
Nicolás Martínez
Mauro Poy
Sebastian Rusculleda
Lucas Villafáñez
Emiliano Romero
Osmar Ferreyra
Emmanuel Ledesma
Fabian Muñoz
Federico Bravo
Kevin Itabel
Franco Mazurek
Nicolás Maná
Adrián Lucero
Luciano Balbi
Juan Álvarez
Javier Mendoza
Nicolás Mazzola
Elías Pereyra
Joaquín Arzura
Braian Lluy
Diego Rodríguez
Bruno Duarte
Pedro Silva Torrejón
Franco Baldassarra
Facundo Pérez
Australia
Michael Valkanis
Austria
Christopher Knett
Belarus
Vadim Narushevich
Maksim Shcherbin
Illya Aleksiyevich
Belgium
Wouter Corstjens
Patrick Dimbala
Benin
Rudy Gestede
Bolivia
Diego Bejarano
Danny Bejarano
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Simo Krunić
Emir Hadžić
Branislav Nikić
Edin Cocalić
Brazil
Fabricio Rogerio
Rodriguez Ademar
Giovanni Pedrini
Luiz Carlos Dacroce
André Rocha
Júnior
Rafael Bracalli
Rodrigo Galo
André Alves
Marcos Paulo
Farley Vieira Rosa
Diego Lopes
Arghus
Willyan
Vanderson
Bulgaria
Efremov
Vlatko Kolev
Stanislav Stoyanov
Hristo Yanev
Giorgos Manthatis
Burkina Faso
Habib Bamogo
Cameroon
André Bikey
Olivier Boumale
Valéry Mézague
Canada
John Limniatis
Derek Cornelius
Colombia
Erik Moreno
Luis Mosquera
Congo
Delvin N'Dinga
Croatia
Saša Jelovac
Mario Budimir
Igor Jovanović
Antonio Jakoliš
Branko Vrgoč
Cyprus
Nikolas Konstantinou
DR Congo
Wilson Kamavuaka
Egypt
Amr Warda
England
Michalis Banias
Jason Blunt
Febian Brandy
Javan Vidal
France
William Edjenguélé
Cyril Kali
Florent Hanin
Wilfried Dalmat
Anthony Scaramozzino
Johan Martial
Anthony Mounier
Fabien Antunes
Gambia
Cherno Samba
Georgia
Giorgi Kikava
Georgi Kipiani
Levan Shengelia
Germany
Daniel Gunkel
Stefanos Papoutsogiannopoulos
Christos Agrodimos
Stacy-Edis Gyan-Boatey
Ghana
David Addy
Greece
Giannis Anestis
Kostas Apostolakis
Stratos Apostolakis
Michalis Bakakis
Makis Bakadimas
Giorgos Barkoglou
Christos Belevonis
Makis Belevonis
Stathis Belevonis
Michalis Boukouvalas
Giannis Bouzoukis
Dimitris Chantakias
Angelos Charisteas
Ilias Chatzitheodoridis
Diamantis Chouchoumis
Christos Dimopoulos
Filippos Darlas
Tasos Dentsas
Elini Dimoutsos
Giorgos Fotakis
Dimitris Fytopoulos
Nikos Giannakopoulos
Vasilis Golias
Dimitrios Gianniotis
Ilias Gianniotis
Vaggelis Kaounos
Stefanos Kapino
Nikos Karelis
Aristotelis Karasalidis
Alexandros Kavvadias
Zacharias Kavousakis
Dimitris Kolovos
Andreas Kolovouris
Apostolos Konstantopoulos
Georgios Kousas
Dimitris Koutromanos
Dimitris Kyriakidis
Giorgos Liavas
Alexandros Malis
Grigoris Makos
Stelios Malezas
Nikos Marinakis
Charis Mavrias
Nikos Melissas
Paschalis Melissas
Petros Michos
Vangelis Moras
Hussein Mumin
Giorgos Mygas
Marios Oikonomou
Thanasis Paleologos
Tasos Papazoglou
Alexandros Parras
Giannis Pasas
Giorgos Poniros
Georgios Simos
Stelios Sfakianakis
Giorgos Smiltos
Manolis Stefanakos
Antonis Stergiakis
Giannis Takidis
Giorgos Theodoridis
Dimitris Theodoropoulos
Dionysis Tsamis
Angelos Tsingaras
Tasos Tsokanis
Manolis Tzanakakis
Stathis Vasiloudis
Stylianos Vasileiou
Nikos Vergos
Alexandros Voilis
Giorgos Xenitidis
Alexandros Zeris
Panagiotis Zorbas
Petros Zouroudis
Guinea-Bissau
Mimito
Dálcio
João Pedro
Honduras
Deybi Flores
Hungary
Tibor Szabó
Iran
Mohammad Reza Azadi
Italy
Luigi Cennamo
Giuseppe Aquaro
Ivan Varone
Ivory Coast
Kanga Akalé
Marc-Éric Gueï
Nadrey Dago
Jordan
Christos Al-Obisat
Liberia
George Gebro
Dulee Johnson
Mexico
Paolo Medina
Montenegro
Nemanja Vuković
Davor Jakovljević
Srđan Blažić
Morocco
Jamal Achannah
Mozambique
Manuel Lopes
Clésio
Netherlands
Leandro Kappel
Nigeria
Benjamin Onwuachi
Abiola Dauda
Afeez Nosiru
Norway
Jarl André Storbæk
Palestine
Saado Abdel Salam Fouflia
Paraguay
José Barreto
Sergio Díaz
Peru
Carlos Ascues
Poland
Fabian Pawela
Jacek Kacprzak
Portugal
Israel
Ivo Afonso
Chiquinho
Ricardo Fernandes
Cristiano
Tomané
Miguel Rodrigues
Luís Rocha
Pedro Amaral
Guga
Frederico Duarte
Hélder Barbosa
Romania
Emanuel Patrascu
Florin Pripu
Costin Lazăr
Vlad Morar
Sebastian Mladen
Senegal
Samba Diarra
Samba Sow
Henri Camara
Pierre Sagna
Serbia
Mihajlo Simeunović
Vladimir Jovanović
Zoran Stoinović
Boban Stojanović
Vladimir Bogdanović
Pavle Popara
Dušan Jovanović
Željko Simović
Ljubiša Milojević
Milan Bojović
Luka Vucicević
Slobodan Miletić
Marko Markovski
Nikola Stajić
Sierra Leone
Alhassan Kamara
Jonathan Morsay
Slovakia
Mouhamadou Seye
Peter Doležaj
Slovenia
Gregor Režonja
Dejan Božicić
Žiga Kljajič
Mitja Mörec
Mirnes Šišić
Spain
Kevin Ulbrich
Kevin
Álvaro Rey
Joan Román
Jesús Fernández
Sweden
Johan Wallinder
Jonas Bylund
Jonas Forsberg
Demba Traoré
Jonas Pelgander
Sebastian Eriksson
Admir Bajrovic
Rasmus Sjöstedt
Johan Mårtensson
Jacob Une Larsson
Switzerland
Damian Bellón
Turkey
Deniz Baykara
United States
Ahinga Selemani
Gboly Ariyibi
Uruguay
Jorge Díaz
Uzbekistan
Dimitris Papadopoulos
Venezuela
Juanpi
Joel Graterol
Managerial history
Nikos Anastopoulos (2000–01)
Panikos Georgiou (2001)
Dragan Simeunović (2004)
Vasilis Xanthopoulos (2004–05)
Stathis Stathopoulos (2005–06)
Lysandros Georgamlis (2006–07)
Vasilis Dalaperas (2007)
Myron Sifakis (July 1, 2007 – June 30, 2008)
Christos Vasiliou (2008)
Vasilis Dalaperas (2008)
Spyros Marangos (2008)
Vasilis Xanthopoulos (2008)
Nikos Kehagias (July 1, 2008 – June 30, 2009)
Vasilis Dalaperas (2009)
Siniša Gogić (July 1, 2009 – Jan 20, 2010)
Giannis Dalakouras (Jan 19, 2010 – Jan 6, 2011)
Babis Tennes (Jan 6, 2011 – Feb 9, 2012)
Takis Lemonis (Feb 9, 2012 – April 11, 2012)
Giannis Dalakouras (April 12, 2012 – June 30, 2012)
Nikos Karageorgiou (July 3, 2012 – Jan 23, 2013)
Makis Chavos (Jan 23, 2013 – May 18, 2015)
Leonel Pontes (June 9, 2015 – Sept 28, 2015)
Giannis Matzourakis (Oct 8, 2015 – Jan 17, 2017)
Makis Chavos (Jan 19, 2017 – Jan 7, 2018)
Traianos Dellas (Jan 11, 2018 – April 19, 2019)
Luís Castro (May 30, 2019 – Oct 11, 2019)
Makis Chavos (Oct 16, 2019 – Oct 28, 2020)
Luciano (Oct 28, 2020 – Nov 10, 2020)
Traianos Dellas (Nov 10, 2020 – Jun 5, 2021)
Giannis Anastasiou (Jun 10, 2021 – Jun 30, 2023)
Gabriel Schürrer (Jul 1, 2023 – Present)
See also
Aetoloacarnania Football Clubs Association
References
External links
Official websites
Official website
Panetolikos at Super League
Panetolikos at UEFA
Panetolikos at FIFA
Association football clubs established in 1926
Football clubs in Western Greece
1926 establishments in Greece
Agrinio
Multi-sport clubs in Greece