Kostas Nestoridis

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Kostas Nestoridis (Greek: Κώστας Νεστορίδης, born March 15, 1930), a Greek footballer, is still widely regarded as one of the best forwards Greece has ever produced. He debuted for the Greek National Football Team in 1951 and won 17 caps for his country, scoring 3 goals. Born in Athens of Pontian Greek heritage in 1930, his football career started at Panionios where he played until 1955. Nestoridis began his illustrious career at AEK Athens FC in 1957, having sat out the 1956 season because Panionios refused to negotiate his transfer to AEK. "Kapetan (Captain) Nestoras" started paying dividends almost immediately by winning top scorer honours in Greece for five consecutive seasons from 1958 up until 1963 (the last regional championship played and the first four national competitions). He played for AEK until 1966 at which point he joined newly-promoted Vyzas Megara FC for one year before retiring. He took a break from the Greek League in 1966 to play for South Melbourne Hellas where, at age 36, he won top scorer honours yet again, helping the club to the Victorian State League title. Nestoridis rejoined South Melbourne Hellas in 1967 where his team finished 4th in the league competition. During his two years in Melbourne, Nestoridis drew big crowds where ever Hellas played. After his playing career was over, Nestoridis coached several clubs including Paniliakos FC, Kallithea FC and AEK (1982 and 1983).