Georgios Delikaris
Encyclopedia
Georgios Delikaris is a former Greek
football (soccer)
player, who spent the greatest part of his career at Olympiacos F.C. He is widely accepted amongst fans as one of the greatest Greek footballers of all time, coming in fourth in the Greek vote for the UEFA Jubilee Awards
, first amongst former Olympiacos players. Nicknamed the "Gianni Rivera of Greece", he is also often compared to George Best
, due to similarity in appearance and playing style. Though still revered as an Olympiacos legend, he is also well remembered for his switch to arch-rivals
Panathinaikos F.C., for the last three years of his playing career, which ended prematurely, when he decided to retire at the age of 29.
at an exhibition match against players from Athenian
teams. A year later (July 1969) he joined Piraeus giants Olympiacos, the team he supported as a child, for a fee of just over 1 million drachmas
along with the exchange of four Olympiacos players.
during a 2-1 win (September 21), while his first goal was scored in a 5-1 win over Chalkida FC (November 5). The 18-year old forward instantly became a regular and a star a few weeks later, after an excellent display against local rivals Ethnikos, where he scored two goals and was hailed as the new Olympiacos leader. The following months his manager Stjepan Bobek
decided to switch him to midfield, despite criticism from a large part of the Greek press. It would soon prove a decision of tactical genius as Delikaris was able to flaunt his rare technical and organising skills, creating goal after goal.
. It also saw the start of his love-hate relationship with the club board, part of which was appointed (as for all teams) by the military regime
in power during this troubled period for Greece. He was fined 5 thousand drachmas for staying out late before a game against arch-rivals Panathinaikos. That year he also switched his jersey number 11 for the number he is best remembered with, "10".
. Part of the press started to question his loyalty to the side, followed by part of the club following. Though little is known of details, his life outside the football field continued to challenge the strict morals of the time and land him with fines and punishments, this time a lifetime ban from the national side, which would later be revoked. Even so, Delikaris did not cease to amaze with his footballing abilities, receiving flattering comments from foreign peers.
The 1973-74 season was remembered for his catalytic performance in the side's largest ever win against Fostiras with 11-0, and the recapturing of the Championship with a record amount of points and goals. While the following season he regained the captaincy and played an important part over the two legs, in the historic aggregate win over Celtic F.C.
for the European Champions' Cup
. In light of this The Times
reported on his technical gifts, commenting that he was well aware of the secrets of football. He also impressed at the international level excelling against West Germany, while enthusiastic reporters hailed him as the only man to dribble Beckenbauer
, who later acknowledged his talent. However the season was followed by unrest as Delikaris protested against the poor pay for the club's Greek players, while Goulandris resigned in protest for reasons unknown. During this season he also featured in a World all-star side against R.S.C. Anderlecht
, in honor of the Belgian legend Paul Van Himst
. The team won the championship which was to be the last for a number of years, followed by news of Delikaris' departure, while he was rumoured to be in talks with Celtic.
Things went downhill from there. The following season saw him inexplicably receive his first red card which caused much protest, because Delikaris had actually been hit by an opponent without reply. Delikaris was well known for his clean footballing style. His relationship with teammates took a downward spiral and in late 1977 they asked for him to be stripped of his captaincy. Soon after he played his last game with Olympiacos against Kavala F.C. (January 8, 1978).
scoring 7 goals.
in 1997, was the co-owner of a restaurant in his hometown neighborhood and was rumored as of 2009 to be a taxi-driver (though this has been denied by family members).
(August 25, 1997). Amongst other things Delikaris admitted that it was a mistake to join Panathinaikos and that he was driven by certain enemies within Olympiacos to leave his favorite club, but refused to elaborate. At that time he was a partner in a restaurant. In 2004 he wrote a few articles for the sports newspaper Protathlitis
and was said to attend an Olympiacos football game after a great number of years. He later attended an event (November 13, 2005) in his honor at the Olympiacos home ground merchandise store, during which he publicly apologised for moving to Panathinaikos.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
football (soccer)
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player, who spent the greatest part of his career at Olympiacos F.C. He is widely accepted amongst fans as one of the greatest Greek footballers of all time, coming in fourth in the Greek vote for the UEFA Jubilee Awards
UEFA Jubilee Awards
To celebrate the Union of European Football Associations 's 50th anniversary in 2004, each of its member associations was asked by UEFA to choose one of its own players as the single most outstanding player of the past 50 years . The 52 players were known as the Golden Players...
, first amongst former Olympiacos players. Nicknamed the "Gianni Rivera of Greece", he is also often compared to George Best
George Best
George Best was a professional footballer from Northern Ireland, who played for Manchester United and the Northern Ireland national team. He was a winger whose game combined pace, acceleration, balance, two-footedness, goalscoring and the ability to beat defenders...
, due to similarity in appearance and playing style. Though still revered as an Olympiacos legend, he is also well remembered for his switch to arch-rivals
Derby of the eternal enemies
The Derby of the eternal enemies , also called Mother of all battles , is a sport local derby in Athens between the most successful clubs of Greece, Olympiacos and Panathinaikos...
Panathinaikos F.C., for the last three years of his playing career, which ended prematurely, when he decided to retire at the age of 29.
Early career and move to Olympiacos
Delikaris was born in 1951 and began his career with local club Argonaytis Piraeus FC. His chance to shine came in July 1968, when he was picked to represent PiraeusPiraeus
Piraeus is a city in the region of Attica, Greece. Piraeus is located within the Athens Urban Area, 12 km southwest from its city center , and lies along the east coast of the Saronic Gulf....
at an exhibition match against players from Athenian
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
teams. A year later (July 1969) he joined Piraeus giants Olympiacos, the team he supported as a child, for a fee of just over 1 million drachmas
Greek drachma
Drachma, pl. drachmas or drachmae was the currency used in Greece during several periods in its history:...
along with the exchange of four Olympiacos players.
1969-70
His debut in the red and white jersey came when he featured in a friendly against his old club. His official debut was against PAOK F.C. in ThessalonikiThessaloniki
Thessaloniki , historically also known as Thessalonica, Salonika or Salonica, is the second-largest city in Greece and the capital of the region of Central Macedonia as well as the capital of the Decentralized Administration of Macedonia and Thrace...
during a 2-1 win (September 21), while his first goal was scored in a 5-1 win over Chalkida FC (November 5). The 18-year old forward instantly became a regular and a star a few weeks later, after an excellent display against local rivals Ethnikos, where he scored two goals and was hailed as the new Olympiacos leader. The following months his manager Stjepan Bobek
Stjepan Bobek
Stjepan Bobek was a football striker from Yugoslavia, and later a football manager. An ethnic Croat, Bobek started playing at a very young age and had spells with several clubs in Zagreb but is mainly remembered for his time at the Serbian side Partizan Belgrade, where he moved to following the...
decided to switch him to midfield, despite criticism from a large part of the Greek press. It would soon prove a decision of tactical genius as Delikaris was able to flaunt his rare technical and organising skills, creating goal after goal.
1970-71
The next year saw a number of impressive performances of the young star, along with his debut with the national team in a 3-0 loss at Wembley against EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It also saw the start of his love-hate relationship with the club board, part of which was appointed (as for all teams) by the military regime
Greek military junta of 1967-1974
The Greek military junta of 1967–1974, alternatively "The Regime of the Colonels" , or in Greece "The Junta", and "The Seven Years" are terms used to refer to a series of right-wing military governments that ruled Greece from 1967 to 1974...
in power during this troubled period for Greece. He was fined 5 thousand drachmas for staying out late before a game against arch-rivals Panathinaikos. That year he also switched his jersey number 11 for the number he is best remembered with, "10".
1971-72
The next season (1971–72) started with him doing his national service. This was to take its toll on the young player who was often sidelined due to exhaustion and injury by manager Alan AshmanAlan Ashman
George Alan Ashman was an English association footballer, best remembered for some notable managerial successes.-Playing career:...
. Part of the press started to question his loyalty to the side, followed by part of the club following. Though little is known of details, his life outside the football field continued to challenge the strict morals of the time and land him with fines and punishments, this time a lifetime ban from the national side, which would later be revoked. Even so, Delikaris did not cease to amaze with his footballing abilities, receiving flattering comments from foreign peers.
1972-75
During the 1972-73 preseason camp, Delikaris is given the team's captaincy. Again though his appearances were inconsistent and his injuries frequent. He was later stripped of the captaincy, only to return after apologising to the chairman Nikolaos Goulandris (whom was said to adore him), to a series of impressive performances which ended the year in success and a double for Olympiacos.The 1973-74 season was remembered for his catalytic performance in the side's largest ever win against Fostiras with 11-0, and the recapturing of the Championship with a record amount of points and goals. While the following season he regained the captaincy and played an important part over the two legs, in the historic aggregate win over Celtic F.C.
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
for the European Champions' Cup
UEFA Champions League
The UEFA Champions League, known simply the Champions League and originally known as the European Champion Clubs' Cup or European Cup, is an annual international club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations since 1955 for the top football clubs in Europe. It...
. In light of this The Times
The Times
The Times is a British daily national newspaper, first published in London in 1785 under the title The Daily Universal Register . The Times and its sister paper The Sunday Times are published by Times Newspapers Limited, a subsidiary since 1981 of News International...
reported on his technical gifts, commenting that he was well aware of the secrets of football. He also impressed at the international level excelling against West Germany, while enthusiastic reporters hailed him as the only man to dribble Beckenbauer
Franz Beckenbauer
Franz Anton Beckenbauer is a German football coach, manager, and former player, nicknamed Der Kaiser because of his elegant style, his leadership, his first name "Franz" , and his dominance on the football pitch...
, who later acknowledged his talent. However the season was followed by unrest as Delikaris protested against the poor pay for the club's Greek players, while Goulandris resigned in protest for reasons unknown. During this season he also featured in a World all-star side against R.S.C. Anderlecht
R.S.C. Anderlecht
Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht, usually known as Anderlecht or RSCA , is a Belgian professional football club based in Anderlecht in the Brussels Capital Region. Anderlecht plays in the Belgian Pro League and is the most successful Belgian football team in European competitions as well as in the...
, in honor of the Belgian legend Paul Van Himst
Paul Van Himst
Paul van Himst is a former talented Belgian football midfielder and a football manager. Now retired, he still supports R.S.C. Anderlecht, his former team. He was nicknamed Polle Gazon due to the large number of fouls committed on him...
. The team won the championship which was to be the last for a number of years, followed by news of Delikaris' departure, while he was rumoured to be in talks with Celtic.
1975-78
However he did show up for the preseason camp amongst his teammates' and fans' jubilation. The season saw him turn in some memorable performances both at club and international level. However the club's serious financial problems caused unrest. Even though in an open letter to the board he declared his willingness to play without pay due to his love of the side, there were constant hints by the press that his persistent injuries that year were due to financial causes rather than medical. In a late season game against PAOK, Delikaris took off his shirt and left in protest of his teammates' performance.Things went downhill from there. The following season saw him inexplicably receive his first red card which caused much protest, because Delikaris had actually been hit by an opponent without reply. Delikaris was well known for his clean footballing style. His relationship with teammates took a downward spiral and in late 1977 they asked for him to be stripped of his captaincy. Soon after he played his last game with Olympiacos against Kavala F.C. (January 8, 1978).
Move to Panathinaikos
Then came the move that shook the foundations of Greek football at the time. Hated arch-rivals Panathinaikos announced the signing of Georgios Delikaris. However he was never accepted by the fans of Panathinaikos and never seemed to come to terms with the switch himself, often acting out against teammates, managers and fans. In his first game against Olympiacos he had asked not to participate. After being asked to come on as a sub, he walked out of the ground while verbally showing his discontent. Another instance in a game against Olympiacos found him being cheered by Olympiacos fans. During the game he was constantly engaged in amicable conversation with them, voicing his regret for joining the Athens side. One of his rare moments of glory at Panathinaikos saw him score a spectacular goal against Italian giants Juventus F.C.Juventus F.C.
Juventus Football Club S.p.A. , commonly referred to as Juventus and colloquially as Juve , are a professional Italian association football club based in Turin, Piedmont...
End of career
On October 19, 1981 Delikaris retired from professional football for reasons unknown to this day. During his career Delikaris was capped 32 times by the National Football Team of GreeceGreece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
scoring 7 goals.
The legend of Delikaris
Since 1981 Georgios Delikaris pulled himself away from the spotlight, seldom making a public appearance and stayed away from football. Little is known about the circumstances surrounding his departures from Olympiacos and Panathinaikos, and he himself chooses not reveal details. This has elevated him even more to legendary status with the spread of many unsubstantiated stories and anectodes, relating to those periods as well as his life after football. It is known that he has faced serious financial strife at times and has been involved in the auto-trade business, had lost a large amount of money in the collapse of the Albanian economy1997 rebellion in Albania
The 1997 unrest in Albania, also known as the Lottery Uprising or Anarchy in Albania, was an uprising sparked by Ponzi scheme failures...
in 1997, was the co-owner of a restaurant in his hometown neighborhood and was rumored as of 2009 to be a taxi-driver (though this has been denied by family members).
Reemergence
Delikaris reemerged in the spotlight after a number of years giving an informal interview to Greek newspaper Ta NeaTa Nea
Ta Nea is a daily newspaper published in Athens, owned by Lambrakis Press Group that also publishes the newspaper To Vima. It is a traditional center-left friendly newspaper and has strongly supported PASOK, the Greek Socialist Party in the 1980s and 1990s...
(August 25, 1997). Amongst other things Delikaris admitted that it was a mistake to join Panathinaikos and that he was driven by certain enemies within Olympiacos to leave his favorite club, but refused to elaborate. At that time he was a partner in a restaurant. In 2004 he wrote a few articles for the sports newspaper Protathlitis
Protathlitis
Protathlitis is a Greek daily sports newspaper. It was first published April 2, 1998. The owners are a TV presenter Themos Anastasiadis and journalist Sotiris Poulopoulos. The newspaper is a strong supporter of Olympiacos F.C.....
and was said to attend an Olympiacos football game after a great number of years. He later attended an event (November 13, 2005) in his honor at the Olympiacos home ground merchandise store, during which he publicly apologised for moving to Panathinaikos.