Veria F.C.
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| Full name | Veria Football Club | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Vasilissa tou Vorra (Queen of the North) | |||
| Founded | 12 September 1960 | |||
| Ground |
Veria Stadium Veria, Greece | |||
| Capacity | 7,000[1] | |||
| Owner | Theodoros Karipidis | |||
| Chairman | Theodoros Karipidis | |||
| Manager | Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos | |||
| League | Superleague Greece | |||
| 2014–15 | Superleague Greece, 13th | |||
| Website | Club home page | |||
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Veria Football Club is a football club based in Veroia, Imathia, Greece. Veria FC was founded in September 1960 when two local teams (Hermes and Vermion) merged. Their nicknames are "Queen of the North" and "Rossoblu". The last three seasons the club participates in Superleague Greece after their return in 2012. Veria, PAOK and Iraklis are the only clubs left representing the region of Macedonia in top tier championship, a region with long tradition and contribution in the Greek football.
History
Formation years & Beta Ethniki
In 1960 two local teams of Imathia, Hermes & Vermion, decided to merge as the founders of the two teams believed that by this way they could create a more competitive club and they would unite the local fans. Veria's first appearance in professional football championships came in 1962–63. Veria in their first season as a professional team finished 6th in fourth group of Beta Ethniki. Four years later, Veria did her breakthrough. Finished 1st in the third group of Beta Ethniki and then 2nd in the play-offs, Veria celebrated their first ever promotion to Alpha Ethniki as champions. Because of this accomplishment, Veria was nicknamed as "Queen of the North".
First Alpha Ethniki era
In her first appearance in A Ethniki (season 1967–68), Veria finished in 10th position at a triple tie with PAOK and Panionios and 2 points behind the privileged 5th position which would provide her the first ever appearance in Balkans Cup. Next season (1968–69) Veria underperformed and relegated after three play off matches against Olympiakos Volou. Despite the relegation, Veria achieved promotion the next season as they finished again 1st at Group C of Beta Ethniki. As Veria returned in Alpha Ethniki they achieved to remain at the category by finishing 13th. That season Veria suffered a heavy defeat by AEK Athens with a score 8-2. Season 1971–72 finds Veria relegated again as they finished 15th in Alpha Ethniki, although they were relegated Veria celebrated some notable wins such as against AEK Athens with a score 1-0, Olympiacos with a score 2-1 and against PAOK with a score 1-0.
Beta Ethniki & Return
Since 1972 and until 1977, Veria will take part in Beta Ethniki. Till 1975 would finish at the mid table of Beta Ethniki, when in season 1976–77 Veria will tie with Kavala in the first position, due to Goal Average, Veria lost the promotion that season. What Veria couldn't do in season 1976–77, did it the exact next season. In 1977–78 Veria would return in Alpha Ethniki after seven years. Veria finished 1st in a tie with Doxa Dramas as the team was docked by -3 points but they won the promotion due to better Goal Average. Veria wouldn't stay in Alpha Ethniki for long as the next season (1977–78) the team will be relegated, finishing 16th. The relegation came after Veria's attempt to suborn Egaleo's player, Christos Hatziskoulidis in order to underperform at the match. The team was suspended with a removal of 10 points. For the next eight years Veria will be performing in Beta Ethniki. For seven years Veria would be underperforming and as a result they would finish in the mid table. Also for five seasons Veria would have in Beta Ethniki the other local team of Imathia, Naoussa, which developed a rival between the fans of the two cities of Imathia. In 1982–83, Naoussa was relegated and the rivality between the teams would be forgotten. In 1985–86, Veria will achieve after eight season the promotion and she will return in Alpha Ethniki.
The Golden Year
In 1985–86, Veria achieved to overperform and earn her best position in Alpha Ethniki as she finished 7th in a triple tie with AEK and AEL. That season 12 out of 16 teams, including Veria, were docked -6 points due to football players' strike. Despite the great season in Alpha Ethniki, the following season would find Veria being relegated again, as they finished 14th out of 16 teams after a triple tie with Levadiakos and Diagoras due to lower goal average.
Decline & Prosperity
After her relegation from Alpha Ethniki, Veria would remain in Beta Ethniki for 3 years and the fans will be shocked when the team will be relegated for the first time ever in Gamma Ethniki. In Gamma Ethniki, the season 1991–92 will loose the promotion to Beta Ethniki in the last game of the season. What Veria didn't complete in previous season, she completed the following as in 1992–93, Veria achieved the return to Beta Ethniki. In season 1993–94 in Beta Ethniki Veria would meet another local team of Imathia, AE Pontioi Verias, which used to be an affiliated club of Veria. Both teams achieved to stay in category. Between 1993–97 football in Imathia was having an incredible development as three teams of Imathia were playing in the professional championships for the first time ever. In 1994–95, Veria, Naoussa & AE Pontion Verias would be part of Beta Ethniki for the first and the only time in history of Imathia's football. In 1995–96 Veria will finally achieve the big return in Alpha Ethniki as she finished 2nd in Beta Ethniki. In her return in Alpha Ethniki, Veria finished in 10th position and remained in the category. Most notable win of Veria in that season (1996–97) was the home win against Olympiacos, who won the championship that season, with score 1-0. Veria & AEK were the only teams to win Olympiacos that season. The next season Veria with her improved roster, which included players such as Oleg Protasov, Panagiotis Tsalouchidis, will finish 9th. The most notable wins for Veria at that season was the away win against AEK with score 1-2 and the 'home' win against champions Olympiacos 2-0 in OAKA as Olympiakos had requested the match to take part in OAKA and once the game would finish they would celebrate the champions' ceremony. That win would be the beginning of the end for Veria's prosperity.
Stone Age
After Veria's win against Olympiacos in season 1997–98 some incredible and awkward events against the team of Veria started to take place. In 1998–99 season some weird referee decisions as well as sporting justice decisions during almost every match of Veria had the result of Veria being relegated to Beta Ethniki. This also had as a result in Veria's administrative destabilization. In 1999–00, Veria will be again relegated in Gamma Ethniki for the second time in her history along with Naoussa. The problems in Veria couldn't be resolved and as result of these problems the following season, 2000–01, Veria would be relegated for the first time ever in her bright and respected history to Delta Ethniki. The new administrative team which took the leadership of Veria, with Konstantinos Gaivazis being at the head, had to sign 20 players in order Veria would take part in Delta Ethniki championship. In 2001–02, Veria would finish in the mid table of Deltha Ethniki, an achievement which ended the relegation path. The following season 2002–03, Queen of the North won every competition that they took part in and the city of Veria would celebrate the return of the team in Gamma Ethniki after the play off game against Atsalenios which took place at Fyli Municipal Stadium. Except her promotion, another significant achievement for the club was the conquer of Amateurs' Cup as they defeated Preveza with score 2–1, in Sofades Stadium at Sofades, Karditsa.
Arvanitidis era (2005–2014)
In 2003–04, Veria's history would change as one of the most powerful businessmen of Imathia decided to become the team's owner. Veria would stay for two seasons in Gamma Ethniki, in 2004–05 season Veria would celebrate their return in Beta Ethniki after finishing 1st in North Group of Gamma Ethniki. In season 2005–06 finished 5th in Beta Ethniki. The next season wouldn't start well for Veria, but in the second half of the championship and with Dimitris Kalaitzidis being her coach, as he returned after being fired the previous season, Veria won the promotion to Alpha Ethniki, which was renamed to Superleague, as they finished 3rd at the championship table. Veria's return in Superleague wouldn't be as the fans dreamed about it. Veria would underperform, Kalaitzidis would be fired 3 games after the season beginning and Veria would change 5 coaches in the same season. At the end, Veria was relegated again as they only won 5 games out of 30 and had also 8 draws. This is a result had another, new administrative destabilization as the president of Veria, George Arvanitidis had announced at the end of the season he's intention to leave Veria.
The following season for Veria and her fans in Beta Ethniki would be something like a deja vu for them. Veria would be relegated to Gamma Ethniki again, after being docked by -3 points as the president & owner of the team, George Arvanitidis, had a fight with a referee during a match against Ilisiakos,[2] accusing him for being suborn, something that it was never proved. At the last matchday of the season Veria suffered a home defeat by Anagennisi Karditas with 0-1 in front of 4.000 fans and the team relegated to Gamma Ethniki.[3] Arvanitidis again threaten the fans of Veria that he'd leave the team if they didn't stop accusing him for the team's relegation. At the end of the season almost every player was released. Veria had a reboot and the new season would find her in Gamma Ethniki for the 3rd time in her history.[4]
The future for Veria would be better and it wouldn't be the same as the one in the past. The following season, 2009–10, Veria would return in Beta Ethniki. The promotion was secured in the last match of the season against Fokikos, a match where current goalkeeper of Veria, Giorgos Kantimoiris would save almost every chance made by Veria. The next season he signed a contract with Veria and it was a vital part of the squad which celebrated the return in Superleague two years later. The following season, 2010–11 would find Veria finishing 9th in Football League, as Beta Ethniki was renamed to that. That season was marked by the football scandal of rigged games which involved many teams of Football League as well as from Superleague. Veria was accused for fake translational awareness and they would be dismissed by football league. Something that never happened as Veria was proven to be innocent.
After all this mess, none would predict what would happen. Veria with Calvin Kadi scoring unstoppable and playing really beautiful attacking football and having Dimitris Kalaitzidis as a coach, since the end of the last season where he saved Veria from being relegated, started the season with 3 wins in a row. The best beginning that she ever had in Beta Ethniki - Football League. The end of the season found Veria celebrating the return of the team in Superleague after 4 years. Michael Olaitan, a vital part of the team was nominated as Talent of the Year, while Calvin Kadi was named as player of the year as he was the second scorer in Football League with 19 goals. Also Georgios Kantimiris was nominated for Goalkeeper of the year award.
The return of Veria in Superleague in 2012–13 would be different than her last appearance. Veria signed some notable players such as Nikos Georgeas, Pantelis Kafes, Carlo Costly. Veria performed well during that season and achieved to remain in category as she finished 12th in the table. During last season Veria achieved some notable home wins, against Panathinaikos with score 3-0 and against Platanias with score 5-0.
The present season, 2013–14, Veria is lying in the 3rd position of the Superleague table after 3 matches. So far, the team remains unbeatable with two draws against Platanias at the season premiere and against Panathinaikos at 3rd matchday, while she won against OFI with score 2-0 in the 2nd matchday of the Superleague. During the summer transfer window of 2013 Veria signed 12 players, including the Serbian striker Miljan Mrdaković and the Czech midfielder, Petr Trapp.[5] By the end of the season, Veria's Ben became the first player of the team to finish at the second position of Superleague Top goalscorers, just one goal behind Xanthi's Esteban Solari. His important goals contributed to Veria's try in avoiding relegation and made him very fast another favorite player of Veria's supporters. Undoubtedly, Ben Nabouhane was the MVP of the season for "Queen of the North", which finished successfully as Veria avoided relegation by finishing at 15th position. Due to Veria's poor performances, despite the avoid of relegation, the president of the team, Giorgos Arvanitidis, decided to take radical actions in order to change the club's status and goals for the new season. As a result of his desire, he decided to adopt the Spanish style of football. At first place he dismissed almost every player of the team and at second base he signed Spanish players, promoted youngsters of the U20 team and hired as Director of Football the Spanish coach Quique Hernández and the as team manager Jose Carlos Granero.
In August 6, 2014 the owner and president of the team, Georgios Arvanitidis announced his retirement from the team, after selling the ownership to a local businessmen named Theodoros Karipidis.[6]
Theodoros Karipidis era (2014–present)
In August 6, 2014 it was announced that the new team owner is Theodoros Karipidis. In the new era of the club, Karipidis who's ambitious for the team's future attempted to sign the Argentinian attacking midfielder Ariel Ibagaza although, due to player's family issue the transfer was canceled. Although, Ibagaza's transfer failed, Karipidis signed in for Veria some significant players such as Giorgos Georgiadis and Giorgos Katidis, Roberto Battión, Javier Cámpora, the very promising Italian-Swedish striker Nicolao Dumitru, the Spanish star and former player of Real Madrid, Raúl Bravo as well as the Serbian offensive midfielder, Zvonimir Vukić. During the winter transfer window Veria achieved to sign on a free transfer the experienced forward, Thomas Nazlidis. Two more significant transfers took place during the winter's transfer window finale as Veria signed in the Spanish midfielder Carlos Caballero Pérez, on a six-month loan from Córdoba CF and Andreas Tatos on a free transfer. Also Stelios Marangos and Darcy Dolce Neto joined the club in order to help Veria achieve their season goal that is set to entering the play offs. On his first season, Karipidis achieved to secure another year for the club in the Superleague Greece as it finished 14th. In the dawn of the new season, Giorgos Lanaris resigned from his position of the team manager as he was accused for fixed games involvement during 2012–13 Olympiacos F.C. vs Veria away game. Quique Hernández was fired few months earlier along with Jose Carlos Granero after several bad results. Hernández was replaced by Zisis Vryzas in May 2015.
On 19 May 2015, the club was judged as innocent for the fixed game accusations in the match against Olympiacos, despite Nikos Georgeas and Dimitris Kalaitzidis statements against the club by the disciplinary committee of the Hellenic Football Federation.[7] Karipidis also applied changes to the youth squads as he decided to replace Stefanos Gaitanos, who was the head of the youth department for the last three seasons, with Apostolis Terzis, who lastly worked as the head coach of Lefkadia. During his days in Veria, the club's board announced a major expansion and upgrade of Tagarochori Training Center.[8] Karipidis in association with Vryzas, agreed with Georgios Georgiadis to replace Granero, who left the club in March 2015. On 8 July 2015 Veria was judged as innocent for the suspected fixed match against Olympiacos, on 6 January 2013, by the appeal committee of Hellenic Football Federation and they will remain in Superleague for fourth consecutive year, a record for the club as they never before survived for more than three seasons at the top tier of Greek football.[9] During his second season as president and owner of the club, in co-operation with Zisis Vryzas and the head coach of the club Georgios Georgiadis, Karipidis achieved some significant transfers such as the Georgian midfielder, Giorgi Merebashvili, the French defender William Edjenguélé. He also achieved the return of the Spanish goalkeeper Jonathan López. Moreover, Karipidis tried to sign to the club the Algerian midfielder, Djamel Abdoun, though the transfer wasn't complete as the player turned down the offer, at first place. A week after, Veria returned with a new, improved one, with yearly wages being €250,000 and it also included a bonus if the team achieves to qualify to the UEFA Europa League through the Superleague play offs. The player and the club made an oral agreement and they need to wait for the player to be released on free by Nottingham Forest. Abdoun was announced as Veria's player on 5 August 2015. This is the biggest transfer made during Karipidis' spell as president.[10] On 6 August 2015, Veria signed Vaggelis Nastos, former captain of Atromitos. A day later, on 7 August 2015, Veria made one more significant transfer during the summer transfer window as they signed the Polish midfielder Radosław Majewski, who was released on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest along with Abdoun.[11] After PAE Kerkyra being relegated to Football League, Veria approached and achieved to sign for €100,000 per year contract, the Bosnian forward, Saša Kajkut, on a free transfer.[12] On 22 August 2015, Vryzas made an oral agreement with the Norwegian international defensive midfielder, Abdisalam Ibrahim who lastly played for Greek giants Olympiacos and whose also spent seven years to Manchester City, another significant transfer was done for the club. After Balafas' shocking injry the club signed a contract for a year with their ex defensive midfielder Stefanos Siontis who previously played for PAE Kerkyra.
On 30 August 2015, Theodoros Karipidis confirmed the interest of a Chinese group of businessmen to buy club's partly or whole shares package. They arranged an appointment in Milan, Italy which will take place on 2 September 2015.[13] In an interview given to Gazzetta.gr Karipidis claimed that the group represents a multinational company that also looks forward to invest in Greek football as well as in local society. I'm confindent that soon we will have an ownership change to the club but it'll take time to complete the deal and transfer the shares he said.[14] Two days after the meeting with the Chinese group of businessmen, Karipidis stated on a radio show that there is a deal between the two sides and it will be completed in about two or three months as the transfer of shares and the paperwork is a lengthy process.[15] On 9 September 2015, Karipidis was named the head of football department of Aris, even if he had failed to win the amateur's Aris elections on 8 September 2015, as he lost against Nikos Arvanitidis, son of former main shareholder and president of Veria, Giorgos Arvanitidis, with 38-36 votes against him.[16] This automatically meant that once Aris wins promotion to Football League he'll be forced to quit Veria's ownership and presidential post. In further specification, the Chinese group which represent a solar power major multinational company based in Shanghai are willing to invest approximately €10 million in order to buy club's shares package, renovate or build a new training center over Tagarochori Training Center region as well as rebuild Veria Stadium. Also they opt to upgrade all local training facilities of the city of Veria.[17]
On 19 January 2015, Karipidis fired Georgios Georgiadis and his staff as the club didn't satisfy with its performance as were as several results were disappointing.[18] On January 26, 2016 the former goalkeeper Dimitrios Eleftheropoulos was appointed as Veria's new coach with assistant the former European champion Stylianos Venetidis.[19]
Name, crest and colours
The name of the team as well as its colours of the new team that it would occur after the merge were two of the highly important subjects to be solved. As regards the name, there were several suggestions. But the solution was given by G.Lelekakis, who suggested that the team should be named "Veria" as the Italians did to their clubs too, his suggestion was immediately accepted and voted by everyone. Although, due to the rules of that era the name should include words related to the beaten path and reactions, Giannis Kourtis, who has died, suggested to add G.A.S. which meant (Gymanstikos Athlitikos Sillogos), Gymnastic Athletic Club of Veria. So the full club name would be G.A.S. Veria (Greek: Γ.Α.Σ. Βέροια).
As it comes to the choice of the colours, decisive role had the former player and coach of Vermio and former International player of Panionios, Kostas Sotiriadis (Kostaras) who suggested the colours of crimson and blue. That means the colours of Panionios where he did a great football career. Kostaras' suggestion was accepted by the members of the committee as they didn't want to choose colours that would be related to the old club of Vermio (yellow-black) nor of Hermes (green-white). They wanted something new that would be accepted by all Veria fans.
Crest
-
Current crest of Veria F.C. in use since the 1980s
Kit evolution
        1960–61
|
 1965–66
|
    2000–01
|
  2007–08
|
  2008–09
|
  2009–10
|
  2010–11
|
    2011–12
|
  2012–13
|
    2013–14
|
 2014–15
|
   2015–16
|
| Period | Kit Manufacturer | Shirt Partner |
|---|---|---|
| 1985–88 | Diadora | Macle Jeans Pro-Po |
| 1996–97 | Lotto | - |
| 1997–99 | Umbro | Ksisto |
| 1999–00 | Adidas | Laiko Lacheio |
| 2000–05 | Umbro | - |
| 2005–11 | Mitre | Super-Markets Arvanitidis |
| 2011–12 | Nike | |
| 2012–13 | Hummel | Lotto |
| 2013–14 | Kappa | |
| 2014–15 | Joker | |
| 2015– | Nike | Stoiximan.gr |
Club anthem
Veria's first and original anthem was written back in 1960 by the Greek singer and composer Giorgos Kalogirou. In the lyrics there are references to the history of the club as well as to the clubs Ermis and Vermion who merged back in 1960 and created Veria.
Veria's club new anthem was written and composed by Nektarios Mpitros and sung by Charis Akritidis. The new club anthem was released in August 23, 2014 [20]
Supporters
Since the very beginning, Veria's fans were always a vital part of the club success through the years. They supported the team through the dark period of club's history while some of them decided to take the leadership of them when there was no other solution available.
In 1966 the first fan-supporting club of Veria F.C. was founded and it was named Club of Veria's fans. Today, the club exists but is inactive as there are no official registered members. Few years ago there was a try of re-establishing the club by electing a new management board and by registering new members, but at the end the idea was abandoned. In early 1991 the most successful and powerful club of Veria's supporters, Club of Fans Veria «Gate 4», was founded. The club supported the team for almost a decade inside and outside of Veria as many trips were organised and supported by the club's members in order to support Veria away from her base. Five years later, some members of «Gate 4» who disagreed with the leaders' ideas of the club, left and found another club of supporters which was named Club Vissini (Club Crimson). Club Vissini was disbanded after three years of its foundation, but it was already a part of Veria's bright history as they supported the team for three years in a row.
In 2003 and since Veria was again promoted to Gamma Ethniki there was no club of supporters as Club of Veria's fans was remaining inactive and «Gate 4» club was also disbanded. To cover this absence, Rossoblu Club was found by old members of «Gate 4» and from a younger fan base. The club achieved to unite the citizens and fans of Veria in a tough time of Veria's history while she was trying to return to Beta Ethniki and later to Alpha Ethniki. Rossoblu club was responsible for the arrangement of some big trips such as in Kavala, Serres, Drama, Ioannina, Larisa and Thessaloniki while they followed the team in each away match.
While Club Rossoble was still active, a group of fans from Makrochori found another fan club, which was named Fan Club of Makrochori Veria's, a club which after a short period of time got its own base in the city centre of Veria. This fan club as it was organised in 2007 was the 'ancestor' of the powerful present fan club, Queen's Boyz. Since then Queen's Boyz support Veria in every home ground game while they organise big trips for Veria's away games.
During the summer of 2013, in Kallithea, a suburb of Veria, a new fan club named Veria Fans Kallithea was found and its base is located in St. Komninon 91.
The fans of Veria never gave up on team, although the last five years due to Veria's bad league performance (including a relegation to Gamma Ethniki in 2008–09) the fans got disappointed. As a result of this disappointment Veria lost a serious number of fans. Thankfully this wouldn't last for long, today Veria is back on the road of success, she is back to the Alpha Ethniki, which is renamed to Superleague. Veria slowly gains the trust of her fans again and the amount of supporters is getting bigger and bigger.
On 21 August 2015, Queen's Boyz announced their re-activation.[21]
Always one of them
In February 1957 and while playing for Vermion, the goalkeeper of the team Kostas Pantelidis on an effort to save an opponent chance he will hit his head on the goalpost. A hit that it was deadly as few minutes later he died playing on court. Few years later in December 22, 1968 a supporter of team, Lampros Michailidis during the match against Olympiacos had a heart attack and died. The reason of the heart attack was a shoot by Olympiacos' player Giorgos Sideris from a close distance which was saved at the end by Giorgos Masadis.
In 1977 a player of Veria in a match against PAS Giannina will miss an amazing tet-a-tet. As a result of the missed opportunity the passionated fan of Veria, Takis Tampakopoulos had a heart attack and despite the doctors' efforts he died. Three years later a founding member of Veria. Antonis Papaioannou in September 20, in a match against Iraklis will have a heart attack and will also pass away. Five years later and since Papaioannou's heart attack, Veria was facing in an away match Egaleo, but due to the fact that the match was arranged to take place during Wednesday, (27/11/1985) fans of Veria couldn't travel to Athens. Although Ntinos Karaiskos and three friends of him, Michalis Kavakis, Vasilis Mastoropoulos and Dimitris Ntogos, decided to follow the team in Athens, something that never happened as few kilometers away from Thiva they will have a car crash which resulted in Ntinos' death at the age of 27. Michalis, Vasilis & Dimitris were slightly injured and survived from the accident.
On 2 September 2015, the youngster goalkeeper of Veria's U20 youth squad, Asteris Merkousis, passed away as he suffered a heart attack during the evening training session of first team squad since the club was expecting a lot to come from his talent. The player collapsed in his first training with the main squad and an ambulance was called immediately to get him to the hospital of Veria. Despite doctors efforts to keep him alive, the youngster didn't make it plunging into mourning Veria's club.[22]
Most receipts
| # | Match | Tickets | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | |
10.309 | 0–0 | 20/09/1970 |
| 2 | |
10.135 | 2–1 | 12/04/1970 |
| 3 | |
9.500 | 0–0 | 23/01/1977 |
| 4 | |
9.500 | 1–3 | 09/04/1978 |
| 5 | |
9.028 | 2–1 | 30/01/1972 |
| 6 | |
8.506 | 1–0 | 01/11/1970 |
| 7 | |
8.234 | 0–0 | 22/12/1968 |
| 8 | |
8.226 | 2–1 | 22/04/1968 |
| 9 | |
8.149 | 2–1 | 30/04/1972 |
| 10 | |
8.145 | 2–1 | 26/01/1969 |
Affiliated Clubs
In September 3, 2013 Veria's directive board announced the beginning of the affiliation link with Sporting CP. Sporting CP will be able to send on loan players to Veria. Also, the deal included an exchange of expertise between the teams on football stuff. The first player sent on loan to Veria from Sporting CP was Zezinho who made 24 appearances with Veria during the 2013–14 season.[23] The affiliation link was terminated in 2014 after Karipidis bought the club.
Rivalries
During the era of the 1990s, Imathia had a great development at her economy and this had a great impact at her football. This development had as a result the rise of Naoussa and Pontioi Verias. Naoussa achieved to win the promotion to Alpha Ethniki in season 1993–94 while Pontioi Verias reached Beta Ethniki in 1992 where they played for 3 constitutive seasons before they finish 17th in season 1994–95 and get relegated. Both Naoussa and Pontioi Verias where seriously damaged by the final crisis in Macedonia and they couldn't return to the greater categories. Though the participation of these two teams in the higher championships developed the rivalry between Veria's fans, Pontioi's fans and Naoussa's fans. In season 1994–95 would find Veria, Naoussa and Pontioi Verias playing in Beta Ethniki. It was the first and the only time during football's history where these three teams would perform at the same championship, at the same season.
Stadium
The home ground of Veria is Veria Stadium which is a multi-purpose stadium located in Veria, Greece. It is used for football matches while in the past several music concerts took place their. The stadium was built in 1925. Since then, many improvements have been made, including adding of more seats in the stadium. Today the stadium holds about 7,000. It is situated 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) off the city centre. It was built in 1925 by members of music and gymnastics association Megas Alexandros. Record attendance is 10,309 for a game between Veria and Panathinaikos in 1970. However, during a game between Veria and PAOK there were about 12,000 fans, but most of them entered the stadium without a ticket. The stadium formerly held track races too but after the renovations in 2005 and 2007 the space for track runners was removed.
Training Facilities
The privately owned sports center of Veria F.C. is located in Tagarochori region, just outside the city of Veria. It has two full-size football pitches with grandstand and lighting, as well as a building that has locker rooms, fully equipped fitness center and guest house with many amenities for players of the "Queen". On 18 June 2015, Veria F.C. board announced a major upgrade of their training facilities in Tagarochori.[24] After the end of the upgrade the training center will include new locker rooms, new gym, sauna, whirlpool, recovery room, utility rooms and a brand new pitch, based on Superleague Greece main football pitch technical standards in order to provide the best available training invorement. The construction is set to finish in the end of the summer and the upgraded center is expected to be one of the most modern of Greece.
Honours
Domestic Titles and honours
- Total Titles: (8)
- Football League: (3)
- 1966, 1970, 1977
- Football League 2: (2)
- 2005, 2010
- Fourth Division: (1)
- 2003
- Greek Cup:
- Greek Amateur Cup: (1)
- 2003
- Imathia Cup: (2)
- 2002, 2003
- Football League: (3)
League Performance
- Only for season 2000–01 Alpha Ethniki was renamed to National Division, Beta Ethniki was renamed to 1st Division and Gamma Ethniki was renamed to 2nd Division
(C) = Champions (P) = Promoted (R) = Relegated
Notable wins
| Season | Match | Score | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alpha Ethniki - Superleague | ||||
| 1967–68 | Veria – Olympiacos | 2–1 | ||
| 1971–72 | Veria – Olympiacos | 2–1 | ||
| 1987–88 | Veria – Olympiacos | 1–0 | ||
| 1996–97 | Veria – Olympiacos | 1–0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Veria – Olympiacos (at OAKA) | 2–0 | ||
| 1966–67 | Panathinaikos – Veria | 0–1 | ||
| 1977–78 | Veria – Panathinaikos | 3–1 | ||
| 2012–13 | Veria – Panathinaikos | 3–0 | ||
| 2014–15 | Veria – Panathinaikos | 1–0 | ||
| 1967–68 | Veria – AEK Athens | 1–0 | ||
| 1971–72 | Veria – AEK Athens | 1–0 | ||
| 1987–88 | Veria – AEK Athens | 1–0 | ||
| 1997–98 | AEK Athens – Veria | 1–2 | ||
| 1967–68 | PAOK – Veria | 1–2 | ||
| 1970–71 | Veria – PAOK | 1–0 | ||
| 1971–72 | Veria – PAOK | 1–0 | ||
| 1986–87 | Veria – PAOK | 1–0 | ||
| 1987–88 | Veria – PAOK | 2–1 | ||
| 1967–68 | Veria – Aris | 2–1 | ||
| 1968–69 | Veria – Aris | 2–1 | ||
| 1970–71 | Veria – Aris | 1–0 | ||
| 1986–87 | Aris – Veria | 0–1 | ||
| 1986–87 | Veria – Aris | 1–0 | ||
| 2007–08 | Veria – Aris | 1–0 | ||
| 2012–13 | Veria – Aris | 3–1 | ||
| 1985–86 | Veria – Skoda Xanthi | 4–1 | ||
| 1986–87 | Veria – Ethnikos | 5–2 | ||
| 1996–97 | Veria – Kavala | 4–0 | ||
| 1996–97 | Veria – Panachaiki | 4–0 | ||
| 1996–97 | Veria – Kastoria | 4–0 | ||
| 1997–98 | Veria – Kavala | 4–2 | ||
| 1997–98 | Veria – Panionios | 4–0 | ||
| 2011–12 | Veria – Platanias | 5–0 | ||
| 2012–13 | Veria – Platanias | 5–0 | ||
| 2013–14 | Veria – Levadiakos | 4–3 | ||
| 2014–15 | Veria – OFI Crete | 4–1 | ||
| 2013–14 | Veria – Asteras Tripolis | 1–0 | ||
| 2014–15 | Veria – Asteras Tripolis | 4–0 | ||
Best campaigns
| Season | Achievement | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greek Cup | |||
| 1977–78 | Quarter-finals | eliminated by PAOK 5–0 in Thessaloniki. | |
| 2012–13 | Quarter-finals | eliminated by Panthrakikos 1–0 in Komotini, 0–1 in Veria | |
| 2014–15 | Top 16 | eliminated by Panionios 2–1 in Athens, 1–1 in Veria | |
| Amateurs' Cup | |||
| 2002–03 | Final | Champions against Preveza 2–1 in Sofades | |
Summary
- 16 seasons in the Super League Greece (Current season)
- 30 seasons in the Second Division
- 6 seasons in the Third Division
- 2 seasons in the Fourth Division
Superleague Greece - Overall
| Pos | Team | Seasons | Points | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | G.F. | G.A. | G.D. | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1st App | Since/Last App | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | Veria | 15 | 608 | 490 | 134 | 127 | 229 | 445 | 688 | –243 | – | – | – | 1966–67 | 2012–13 | 9 |
League or status at 2015–16 in Greek football:
| 2015–16 Super League | |
| 2015–16 Football League | |
| 2015–16 Football League 2 | |
| 2015–16 Local Championships | |
| Club disappeared |
Players
First team squad
- As of 1 February 2016[25]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Professional youth contracts
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Veria U20 Squad
- As of 2 September 2015[26]
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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One-club men
| No. | Player | Nationality | Position | Debut | Last match |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Giorgos Masadis |  Greece |
Goalkeeper | 28 August 1966 | 31 May 1981 |
Notable players
Most appearances
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Most goals
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Superleague top scorers
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Football League top scorers
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Club officials
Board of Directors
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Technical and medical staff
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Academy staff
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Managerial history
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Presidential history
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See also
References
- ↑ "Veria Municipal Stadium" (in Greek). veriafc.gr. Retrieved 3 July 2012.
- ↑ http://www.kerkidasport.gr/index.php/-categories-32/1293--------
- ↑ http://www.kerkidasport.gr/index.php/-categories-32/1362-2009-05-18-18-26-37
- ↑ http://www.kerkidasport.gr/index.php/-categories-32/1364-2009-05-19-20-06-47
- ↑ Super User. "Ιστορία". ΠΑΕ ΒΕΡΟΙΑ - ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΙΣΤΟΣΕΛΙΔΑ. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ↑ Antonis. "Ανακοίνωση". ΠΑΕ ΒΕΡΟΙΑ - ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΙΣΤΟΣΕΛΙΔΑ. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ↑ OTO - Dev. "Απόφαση Πειθαρχικής Επιτροπής - Super League Ελλάδα". Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ↑ Antonis. "Εκσυγχρονίζεται το προπονητικό κέντρο". ΠΑΕ ΒΕΡΟΙΑ - ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΙΣΤΟΣΕΛΙΔΑ. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ↑ ΟΡΙΣΤΙΚΟ: ΑΘΩΩΘΗΚΕ Η ΠΑΕ ΒΕΡΟΙΑ
- ↑ Ποδοσφαιριστής της Βέροιας ο Τζαμέλ Αμπντουν
- ↑ Ποδοσφαιριστής της Βασίλισσας ο Radoslaw Majevski
- ↑ Σάσα Καϊκουτ για 2 χρόνια
- ↑ Ραντεβού στο Μιλάνο
- ↑ Ο Καρυπίδης στο gazzetta.gr για Άρη και Βέροια
- ↑ Δεν είμαι μπροστινός του Σαββίδη
- ↑ Καρυπίδης αντί Αρβανιτίδη στον Άρη
- ↑ Συνεχίζονται οι επαφές με τους Κινέζους
- ↑ Λύση συνεργασίας με Γεωργιάδη
- ↑ Προπονητης της Βεροιας ο Ελε
- ↑ Antonis. "Ο νέος ύμνος της "Βασίλισσας του Βορρά"". ΠΑΕ ΒΕΡΟΙΑ - ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΙΣΤΟΣΕΛΙΔΑ. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ↑ Ο Σ.Φ. Βέροιας Queen's Boyz επιστρέφει δυναμικά
- ↑ ΣΟΚ στη Βέροια από τον θάνατο νεαρού ποδοσφαιριστή
- ↑ Συνεργασία Βέροιας- Σπόρτινγκ Λισαβόνας (in Greek). sport-fm.gr. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
- ↑ Antonis. "Εκσυγχρονίζεται το προπονητικό κέντρο". ΠΑΕ ΒΕΡΟΙΑ - ΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΙΣΤΟΣΕΛΙΔΑ. Retrieved 26 June 2015.
- ↑ "Veria FC squad" (in Greek). superleaguegreece.net. Retrieved 21 August 2015.
- ↑ "Veria FC U20 squad" (in Greek). Superleague Greece. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Veria F.C.. |
- Veria F.C. Official website (Greek)
- Veria TV channel from Goal4Replay.net (English) (Greek)
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