Aris F.C. (Thessaloniki)

Aris

Full name	Aris Football Club
Nickname(s)	God of War
Founded	25 March 1914
Ground	Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium, Thessaloniki (Capacity: 22,800)
Owner	Aris Members' Society
Chairman	Thanasis Athanasiadis
Manager	Manuel Machado
League	Super League Greece
2010–11	Super League Greece, 6th
Website	Club home page
Home colours Away colours Third colours
Current season

Active departments of Aris Thessaloniki
Football	Basketball	Volleyball
Handball	Water Polo	Baseball
Ice Hockey	Athletics	Cycling
Wheelchair Basketball	Boxing	Wrestling
Swimming	Judo	Taekwondo
	Athletic Club
Kick boxing	Kendo	Korfball

Aris Football Club (Greek: Π.Α.Ε. Άρης) is a Greek football club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia. Formed in 1914, the club was a founding member of Macedonian Football Clubs Association as well as the Hellenic Football Federation, they currently compete in Superleague Greece, the top tier of the Greek professional football system. The colors of the team are yellow and black, reminiscent of Byzantium, and the club is named after Ares, the god of war, whose image is portrayed on the club logo as depicted in the Ludovisi Ares. Nicknamed God of War and the Yellows, Aris have been champions of Greece three times, and have won the Greek Cup once. The club is a part of the Greek sports club Aris Thessaloniki.

History

A golden era 1920–1950

Kleanthis Vikelides

The club was established by a group of 22 young friends in a coffee bar in Votsi area on 25 March 1914 and given the name Aris from the god of war. Its nickname was inspired by the two Balkan Wars of 1912–1913, when Greece fought against the Ottoman Empire before engaging in a war with Bulgaria. In Greek mythology, Aris was a deity who was in conflict with Hercules, the mythological character after which Aris's rival football team, Iraklis, was named. In the beginning the club was based on a ground near the Arch and Tomb of Galerius but after the accession of two minor football clubs in 1919 and 1921 the club's base was moved near to Flemming Street. The first stadium was built on the site where Mars Field Park currently lies on Stratou Avenue. Quickly the club became very popular and soon new teams apart from football were established.

During this early stage of football in Greece no professional league was established. Instead, three minor leagues (in Macedonia (E.P.S.M.), Athens (E.P.S.A.) and Piraeus (E.P.S.P.)) were created, with the champions of each league competing in a postseason mini tournament to claim the title of the national champion. The first official game was held in 1923 against an other Thessalonikian Club, Megas Alexandros(Alexander the Great). That year marked the first title, when Aris was named regional champion of Macedonia, something that was repeated next year. Up to 1959, when the united First Division was created, Aris managed to finish first 14 times in the Macedonian division.

Aris's first national title came in 1928 when Aris beat twice the Athens' league champion, Atromitos, and the Piraeus chapmpion, Ethnikos. On 24 May 1928, Aris bested Atromitos 3–1 in Athens, losing 2–3 to Ethnikos three days later, in June the second leg was held in Thessaloniki, were Aris won both his opponents by 3–1. This championship also marked the first appearance of the club's most important player, Kleanthis Vikelides, and manager during this priod was the Austrian Thomas Kessler.

The second championship came four years later in 1932, only this time his opponents were Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, AEK, Ethnikos, PAOK and Iraklis. Aris managed to collect 22 points in this mini tournament, four more than the second, Panathinaikos, scoring large wins like 7–0 against Panathinaikos, 7–3 against Iraklis and 3–0 versus AEK and Olympiakos in Athens, also new star players emerged, Kitsios, Aggelakis, Mpogdanos, Gigopoulos, while Belgian manager De Valer guided effectively the club.

Aris won their third title in 1946, playing against two teams, AEK from Athens and Olympiakos from Pireus, champions of the other two minor domestic leagues. Aris beat Olympiakos twice, scoring two goals and conceding none; came to a draw with AEK in Athens and defeated them in PAOK's stadium in Thessaloniki (score 4–1). Aris has not won a championship since the establishment of the First Division (1959).

Modern times 1950–1981

Kleanthis Vikelides Stadium during an UEFA Europa League match

Aris' status remained high during this period, which was marked by the construction of the club's homeground, the Kleanthis Vikelides Stadium, named after the legendary homonymous player. Before World War II, Aris' homeground was located in the center of the city, near the International Trade Fair, but was abandoned by the state in 1936 in order for the Paedion tou Areos park (Mars Field) to be built. The club managed to buy some land during 1951 in a quarter of the city named Harilaou, where the new Stadium was slowly built. Also in 1959, the tripartite minor league system was abandoned and a new, unified Championship was created.

The club's accomplishments during these years were significant. It was one of the first teams in Greece to qualify for European tournaments. Under the leadership of Alexandros Alexiades, Giorgos Pantziaras and Takis Loukanidis, Aris earned high placings in the League during the '60 and '70, with apex the 1970 Hellenic Cup Title against the club's fierce rival, PAOK, in Kaftanzoglio Stadium.

In the 1970s, Aris was reorganized and a vast number of young players from Thessaloniki, including Kouis, Foiros, Drambis, Zindros and Stelios Papafloratos led the club. Its most important achievements during that period included a successful 1980 UEFA campaign when Aris eliminated Benfica and Perugia. Aris was also the first Greek club to score a victory in Italy. At home, the team shared first place with Olympiakos at the end of the 1980 campaign, though it lost the title 2–0 in a tie-breaker against the Piraeus club in Volos National Stadium.

Stone years 1981–2006

After the mid '80 and the retirement of the club's honored old guard, Aris entered in a slow decline, rarely reaching European league qualification or notable Greek League position, which—in combination with appreciable financial troubles that left the club near bankruptcy—led to the club's relegation to the Second Division in 1997 and 2005. Both times though Aris managed to resume its place in the first division.

ARIS Members' Society era 2006–

25,000 Aris fans in Athens during the 2010 Greek Cup Final

In recent years, specially after the creation of an ARIS Members' Society that controls the club's fortunes, Aris has qualified several times for the UEFA Europa League, finished fourth in the Superleague three times, and has reached in the Greek Cup Final four times, losing in 2003, 2005, 2008 and 2010, when 25,000 Aris fans went to Athens in the biggest ever move of fans in Greece. In 2008 and 2010 Aris made it through to the UEFA Europa League group stage after eliminating Real Zaragoza and Austria Wien respectively during the Cup's play-off rounds. During the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League they managed to play for the first time in club's history in Europe after Christmas, after a very good appearance in the group stage were they won home and away and eliminated the title holders Atlético Madrid. Recent developments include the interest from the club's board to construct a new, modern stadium in eastern Thessaloniki Metropolitan Area to replace the obsolete Kleanthis Vikelides Stadium and the modernization and expansion of the club's training facilities in Neo Rysio, Thessaloniki. Also, in a unique move for Greek standards, the board decided in December 2009 to establish a radio station, Aris FM 92.8 in order to promote the communication between Aris fans around the country and the coverage of the clubs activities.

Aris Members' Society

In January 2006, the club's board decided to create an organisation called "Aris Friends' Club" to give supporters the opportunity to participate in the club's management by buying no par value shares. According to the plan, each member will have the right to vote in the board elections for president, as well as to run as a candidate. In order to be involved in the elections, fans must also financially support the club.

The system was fully activated in May 2009, when the current president, Thanassis Athanassiades, was elected after prevailing against his opponent, obtaining 75.5% of the votes, while it has gained large support from the club's supporters, counting over 9.335 members, in 2011. Athanassiades was reelected in May 2011, obtaining 73,9% of the votes In February 2012, the organisation was officially renamed "Aris Members' Society".

Crest and colours

The emblem of the team is a resting Ares (Greek: Άρης – Aris), the Olympian god of war, as depicted in the Ludovisi Ares. It was chosen in the late '70 to replace the older and simpler logo which was used since 1914. The colors of the team are yellow and black, in order to remind the connection with the Byzantine heritage of Thessaloniki.

History of the kit

1921

1925

1931

1940

1954

1970

1978

1986

1994

1997

1999

2001

2007

2008

2011

Shirt and sponsors history

Period	Kit manufacturer	Shirt partner
1980–89	Adidas
1989–90	Asics
1990–91		Coplam
1991–92	Diadora	Coplam
1992–93		SPANOS
1993–94		Bronx Shoes
1994–95		Ioniki Zois
1995–96	Kappa	Propo
1996–97	Umbro
1997–98	Puma	Puma
1998–99		Megacard
1999–02		Interamerican
2002–03	Lotto	MORITZ
2003–04	Le Coq Sportif	DEPA
2004–05	Adidas	Enimex
2005–06		OPAP
2006–07		Lampsi
2007–08		EKO
2008–10	Reebok
2010–12	Under Armour	OPAP

Supporters

Aris' fanbase is spread across all the economic classes in the city and the greater region of Greece.^{[citation needed]} Their rivalry is against clubs such as arch-rival PAOK, Iraklis and also other traditional rivalries which include the Athenian clubs Olympiacos Piraeus, Panathinaikos and AEK Athens.^{[citation needed]} The most fanatic part of them usually holds the eastern part of the Kleanthis Vikelides Stadium. Against Panathinaikos 25,000 Aris fans descended to Athens to what has been described as the biggest football fans move in Greece ever. Aris fans are loosely connected with the supporters of Germany's Borussia Dortmund with whom they share the same colours,also with Boca Juniors, with Beitar Jerusalem F.C. sharing the same colours as well,.

Current squad

As of 1 July 2011

See Aris Thessaloniki Squad 2011–12

.

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

No. Position Player 1 GK Markos Vellidis 2 DF Neto (1st vc) 4 DF Grigoris Papazaharias 5 MF Manolis Papasterianos 6 DF Michel 7 FW Karim Soltani 8 MF Juan Toja 10 FW Nery Castillo 12 MF Giorgos Katidis 13 GK Michalis Sifakis 14 MF Ricardo Faty (2nd vc) 15 DF Michalis Giannitsis 16 DF Francis Dickoh 17 MF Kostas Kasnaferis 19 DF Khalifa Sankaré

No. Position Player 20 FW Giannis Gianniotas 21 MF Kostas Kapetanos 22 FW Sakis Kanoulas 24 DF Nikos Lazaridis (captain) 25 GK Sokratis Dioudis 28 FW Vassilis Triantafyllakos 30 MF Dimitris Kotsonis 33 MF Javier Umbides 34 FW Thanasis Topouzis 35 DF Stelios Tsoukanis 55 MF Athanassios Prittas 77 MF Noé Acosta 84 GK Eldin Jakupović 88 MF Nacho García

Out on loan

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

No. Position Player FW Nikos Aggeloudis to Doxa Dramas MF Babis Oikonomopoulos to Vyzas

No. Position Player

Foreign players

EU Nationals Noé Acosta Eldin Jakupović

EU Nationals (Dual citizenship) Michel Nery Castillo Karim Soltani Ricky Faty Francis Dickoh

Non-EU Nationals Neto Juan Toja Nacho Garcia Javier Umbides Khalifa Sankaré

International players

• Michalis Sifakis
• Athanassios Prittas
• Giorgos Katidis
• Giannis Gianniotas
• Nacho Garcia
• Nery Castillo

Honours and achievements

Honours

Aris Thessaloniki's honours and achievements include the following:

Greek Football League

• Panhellenic Championship / Alpha Ethniki / Super League Greece (national level 1)
  • Champions (3): 1927–28, 1931–32, 1945–46
  • Runners up (3): 1929–30, 1932–33, 1979–80

• Beta Ethniki / Football League (national level 2)
  • Champions (1): 1997–98
  • Promotion (2): 1997–98 , 2005–06

Domestic cup competition

• Greek Cup
  • Winners (1): 1969–70
  • Finalists (8): 1931–32, 1932–33, 1939–40, 1949–50, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2007–08, 2009–10

Regional honours

• Macedonian Football Clubs Association Championship (local level 1 until 1959)
  • Winners (13): 1922–23, 1923–24, 1925–26, 1927–28, 1928–29, 1929–30, 1930–31, 1933–34, 1937–38, 1945–46, 1948–49, 1952–53, 1958–59
  • Runners up (6): 1938–39, 1947–48, 1951–52, 1953–54, 1955–56, 1956–57

• Northern Greece Championship (regional level 1 in 1932–35, 1938–40)
  • Winners (2): 1932–33, 1934–35
  • Runners up (2): 1933–34, 1938–39

• Football Cup of Greater Greece
  • Winners (1): 1971

Aris F.C. in Europe

Aris boasts a remarkable statistic in European football; the club has not lost a home game in European competitions in 42 years, having gone 26 home games undefeated.

Performance

Superleague Greece

Before 1959

Before 1959, Aris was competing in the Panhellenic Championship, the Greek National Football Championship format that was the predecessor of Alpha Ethniki. During this period, Aris managed to be crowned three times Greek Champion and numerous more regional Macedonian Champion.

Regional Champion of Macedonian Football Clubs Association in 1923, 1924, 1926, 1928, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1938, 1946, 1949, 1953, 1959.

Northern Greece Champion: 1933, 1935.

Panhellenic Champion in 1928, 1932 and 1946.

Season	Position in EPSM Championship	Position in Northern Greece Championship	Position in Panhellenic Championship
1914–15 to 1918–19	-	-	-
1919–20 to 1921–22	-	-	-
1922–23	1st	-	runner-up (lost national play-off )
1923–24	1st	-	-
1924–25	not held	-	-
1925–26	1st	-	-
1926–27	3rd	-	-
1927–28	1st	-	1st
1928–29	1st	-	not held
1929–30	1st	-	2nd
1930–31	1st	-	3rd
1931–32	did not participate	-	1st
1932–33	not held	1st	2nd
1933–34	1st	2nd	did not qualify
1934–35	not held	1st	not held
1935–36	not held	not held	5th
1936–37	3rd	not held	did not qualify
1937–38	1st	not held	3rd
1938–39	2nd	2nd	did not qualify
1939–40	3rd	2nd in Group A	did not qualify
1940–41	not finished	not held	not held
1941–42 to 1944-45	not held	not held	not held
1945–46	1st	not held	1st
1946–47	4th	not held	did not qualify
1947–48	2nd	not held	did not qualify
1948–49	1st	not held	3rd
1949–50	3rd	not held	not held
1950–51	4th	not held	did not qualify
1951–52	2nd	not held	not held
1952–53	1st	not held	3rd
1953–54	2nd	not held	did not qualify
1954–55	3rd	not held	did not qualify
1955–56	2nd	not held	6th after Final Stage (1st in Northern Group of Semifinal Stage)
1956–57	2nd	not held	7th
1957–58	4th	not held	did not qualify
1958–59	1st	not held	6th

Notes:

1. ^ During 1914-19 no championships could be held because of World War I.

2. ^ During 1919-22 no championships could be held because of the Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922).

3. ^ In 1922–23: runner-up after losing national play-off match against Piraikos Syndesmos 3-1.

4. ^ In 1925–26: 1st in EPSM Championship after winning play-off match against Iraklis FC 4-1.

5. ^ In 1934-35: The National Championship not held because the Greek national team was in preparation for the 5th Balkan Cup, and, also, because the political situation was unstable.

6. ^ In 1940–41: The 1940–41 regional EPSM championship never finished, and the national one wasn't held because of World War II.

7. ^ During 1941-45 the regional EPSM championship, along with the national one, was not held because of World War II.

8. ^ In 1948–49: Panathinaikos-Aris awarded 2–0 due to crowd violence. Also, Aris had 1 point deducted.

9. ^ In 1952–53: 1st in EPSM Championship after winning play-off matches against Iraklis FC (0-0 and 1-0).

10. ^ In 1955-56: The National Championship was contested in two stages, a semifinal stage of 3 groups and a final stage of 6 teams, the winner and the runner-up of each group.

11. ^ In 1956–57: Aris-Panargiakos awarded 2-0 because Panargiakos did not show up.

12. ^ In 1957–58: 4th in EPSM Championship after drawing play-off match against PAOK FC 1-1. Aris lost the 3rd place due to worse goal average.

13. ^ Aris qualifies for the 1959–60 Alpha Ethniki.

M. ^ Macedonian Football Clubs Association Championship, which was formally organized in 1924, was the top tier competition for soccer teams in the Prefecture of Thessaloniki until 1959 with its winners (and sometimes lower placed teams) participating in the Panhellenic Championship, which was held from 1927–28 till 1958–59. However, in 1928–29, 1934–35, 1940–41 to 1944–45, 1949–50 and 1951–52 the Panhellenic Championship was not held, and in 1959–60 it was replaced with Alpha Ethniki. In 1924–25 the Macedonian Football Clubs Association Championship was not held, in 1931–32 the regional championship had 2nd level status and Aris participated in the combined regions' national championship, in 1932–33 the Northern Greece Championship was held instead of the Macedonian Football Clubs Association Championship, whereas in 1933–34 both championships were held and the Northern Greece Championship's winner (Iraklis) participated in the Panhellenic Championship play-off against the Southern Greece Championship's winner. In 1934–35 only the Northern Greece Championship was held instead of the Macedonian Football Clubs Association Championship, while in 1935–36 only a combined regions national championship was held. In 1936-37 and 1937-38 only the Macedonian Football Clubs Association Championship, and not the Northern Greece Championship, was held, while in 1938-39 and 1939-40 both championships were held and the Northern Greece Championship's winner participated in the Panhellenic Championship play-off against the Southern Greece Championship's winner. Also, in 1939-40 the Northern Greece Championship was played in two groups, with its winner being determined in play-off matches between the two group winners. The 1940–41 regional championship never finished, and the national one wasn't held, while, during 1941–45 the regional championship, along with the national one, was not held because of World War II. After 1939-1940, the Northern Greece Championship was not held again. Instead, a Northern inter-regional Championship was established in 1953-54 (for regions other than Thessaloniki, Athens and Piraeus), being the predecessor of Beta Ethniki, and securing National Championship places for regional teams since then.

• Point system: 1922–23 to 1958–59: 3–2–1.

• Teams competing in the national championship: 1922-23, 1933-34, 1937-38 and 1939-40: 2 (national play-offs). 1927-28, 1929-1930, 1932-33, 1936-37, 1937-38, 1945-46, 1947-48, 1948-49, 1950-51 and 1952-53: 3. 1946-47, 1953-54, 1954-55: 6. 1930-31, 1931-32 and 1935-36: 8. 1956-57, 1958-59: 10. 1957-58: 12. 1956-57: 14 in the Semifinal Stage and 6 in the Final Stage. Not held: 1923-27, 1928-29, 1934-35, 1940-41 to 1944-45, 1949–50 and 1951–52.

Since 1959

Since 1959, Aris has been competing in the top-tier Alpha Ethniki of the Greek National Football Championship, with the interval of two seasons (1997–98 and 2005–06) that the club competed in the second-tier Beta Ethniki. During this period, the club has once been tied for the 1st place, in the 1979-80 season, ultimately losing the play-off match for 1st place to Olympiakos and has also reached the top 5 places many times.

Season

Pos.

W–D–L

Goals

Points

Notes

Season

Pos.

W–D–L

Goals

Points

Notes

Season

Pos.

W–D–L

Goals

Points

Notes

1959–60

8

10–9–11

31–35

59

1981–82

5

15–11–8

56–30

41

2003–04

13

7–6–17

24–46

27

1960–61

12

10–7–13

30–41

57

1982–83

5

15–11–8

35–23

41

2004–05

14

5–13–12

26–37

25

1961–62

13

7–8–15

30–43

52

1983–84

4

16–7–7

39–23

39

2005–06

Beta Ethniki

1962–63

14

9–5–16

22–44

53

1984–85

7

8–14–8

38–37

30

2006–07

4

11–13–6

32–26

46

1963–64

6

10–11–9

28–29

61

1985–86

7

11–11–8

35–29

33

2007–08

4

14–8–8

32–20

50

1964–65

7

8–12–10

38–38

58

1986–87

11

10–4–16

26–30

18

2008–09

6

13–8–9

30–31

47

1965–66

5

11–8–11

42–42

60

1987–88

9

11–5–14

39–41

27

2009–10

4

12–10–8

35–28

46

1966–67

5

14–5–11

38–30

63

1988–89

7

11–11–8

31–26

33

2010–11

6

13–6–11

29–29

45

1967–68

4

16–9–9

61–49

75

1989–90

7

11–13–10

37–40

35

2011–12

4–5–6

12–14

17

1968–69

3

17–11–6

54–33

79

1990–91

9

11–11–12

34–38

33

1969–70

4

20–7–7

47–15

81

1991–92

7

12–7–15

26–40

31

1970–71

10

10–13–11

45–39

67

1992–93

9

12–6–16

40–50

42

1971–72

4

18–11–5

52–25

81

1993–94

4

18–9–7

55–34

63

1972–73

9

13–9–12

38–36

69

1994–95

7

19–5–10

46–34

62

1973–74

3

21–6–7

49–29

48

1995–96

7

12–10–12

45–47

46

1974–75

6

15–9–10

47–38

39

1996–97

16

9–11–14

32–48

35

1975–76

6

13–9–8

50–27

35

1997–98

Beta Ethniki

1976–77

5

17–8–9

58–34

42

1998–99

6

19–3–12

53–43

60

1977–78

6

12–12–10

39–35

36

1999-00

7

14–8–12

50–46

50

1978–79

3

22–6–6

63–26

50

2000–01

7

13–5–12

37–41

44

1979–80

2

19–9–6

46–20

47

2001–02

9

7–8–11

25–34

29

1980–81

3

16–11–7

57–33

43

2002–03

6

15–6–9

37–34

51

Notes:

A. ^ In 1959–60: 8th after play-off match with PAOK F.C. for places 7–8

B. ^ In 1960–61: 12th after play-off match with Proodeftiki F.C. for places 11–12

C. ^ In 1961–62: 13th after play-off matches with Niki Volos F.C. and Apollon Kalamarias F.C. for places 11–13

D. ^ In 1962–63: 14th after play-off matches with Apollon Kalamarias F.C., Proodeftiki F.C. and Panegialios F.C. for places 12–15

E. ^ In 1979–80: 2nd after play-off match with Olympiacos F.C. for the championship

F. ^ In 1986–87: Most of the teams went the last three match days on strike. Only Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, OFI and Panionios did not. All other teams had −6 points, because they did not show-up.

G. ^ In 1996–97: Athinaikos-Aris awarded 2–0, because Aris could not present the registration ID's and health certificates of the players to the referee. Moreover, Aris had 3 points deducted, finished 16th and was relegated to Beta Ethniki

H. ^ In 1997–98: Aris participated in Beta Ethniki, finishing 1st (with 20 matches won, 12 drawn and 2 lost, 52 goals for and 18 against and 72 points) and being promoted to top-tier Alpha Ethniki

I. ^ In 2004–05: Aris-Iraklis awarded 0–2; abandoned at 1–2 in 43', because Aris fans entered the pitch and attacked some of the players of Iraklis. Moreover, Aris had 3 points deducted, finished 14th and was relegated to Beta Ethniki

J. ^ In 2005–06: Aris participated in Beta Ethniki, finishing 3rd (with 14 matches won, 12 drawn and 4 lost, 33 goals for and 17 against and 54 points) and being promoted to top-tier Super League Greece

K. ^ In 2007–08: finished in 4th place in the regular season, qualifying for the play-offs, and, finishing overall in 4th place after the league play–offs (clubs placed 2nd to 5th)

L. ^ In 2009–10: finished in 5th place in the regular season, qualifying for the play-offs, and, finishing overall in 4th place after the league play–offs (clubs placed 2nd to 5th)

• Point system: 1959–60 to 1972–73: 3–2–1. 1973–74 to 1991–92: 2–1–0. 1992–93 onwards: 3–1–0.

• Teams competing in the championship: 1959–60 to 1966–67: 16. 1967–68 to 1974–75: 18. 1975–76: 16. 1976–77 to 1982–83: 18. 1983–84 to 1988–89: 16. 1989–90 to 1999–00: 18. 2000–01: 16. 2001–02: 14. 2002–03 onwards: 16.

League top scorers

Player	Goals
Dinos Kouis	141
Alexandros Alexiades	127
Kostas Papaioannou	65
Kostas Drampis	48
Giorgos Zindros	46

Most league appearances

Player	Matches
Dinos Kouis	473
Theodoros Pallas	368
Giannis Nalbantis	303
Giorgos Foiros	303
Giannis Venos	303

Greek Cup

Aris has been participating in the Greek Football Cup since its inception in the 1931–1932 season, having been 9 times in the cup final, winning it once in the 1969-70 season.

Season	Eliminated in Round	Goals	Number of Rounds Aris played in	Notes	Season	Eliminated in Round	Goals	Number of Rounds Aris played in	Notes	Season	Eliminated in Round	Goals	Number of Rounds Aris played in	Notes
1931–32	Final	13-9	4		1965–66	Round of 32	0-1	1		1991–92	Round of 32	13-3	2
1932–33	Final	13-7	4		1966–67	Round of 32	17-4	6		1992–93	1st Round	5-3	1
1933–34 to 1937-38	not held	-	-		1967–68	Round of 16	18-3	6		1993–94	Semi-finals	18-10	5
1938–39	Quarter-finals	8-3	2		1968–69	Round of 16	3-3	2		1994–95	Round of 16	9-11	3
1939–40	Final	13-9	4		1969–70	- (Cup Winner)	8-2	5		1995–96	Quarter-finals	19-7	4
1940–41	not finished	-	-		1970–71	Round of 32	1-2	1		1996–97	Round of 16	4-5	2
1941–42 to 1945-46	not held	-	-		1971–72	Quarter-finals	9-3	4		1997–98	Quarter-finals	18-10	5
1946–47	Quarter-finals	1-2	2		1972–73	Round of 32	2-1	2		1998–99	Round of 32	3-3	2
1947–48	3rd Round	7-4	3		1973–74	Round of 16	7-2	3		1999–00	Quarter-finals	12-5	3
1948–49	1st Round	0-2	1		1974–75	Round of 16	3-3	2		2000–01	Round of 16	17-12	2
1949–50	Final	11-10	4		1975–76	Quarter-finals	9-4	4		2001–02	Quarter-finals	17-5	4
1950–51	Quarter-finals	7-4	2		1976–77	Round of 16	6-2	3		2002–03	Final	18-5	6
1951–52	Quarter-finals	8-5	5		1977–78	Semi-finals	11-6	5		2003–04	Round of 16	7-6	3
1952–53	Quarter-finals	5-2	2		1978–79	Quarter-finals	20-18	4		2004–05	Final	21-11	6
1953–54	Quarter-finals	3-3	2		1979–80	Quarter-finals	4-3	4		2005–06	3rd Round	1-2	1
1954–55	Quarter-finals	10-4	3		1980–81	Quarter-finals	12-4	4		2006–07	Round of 32	0-2	1
1955–56	Semi-finals	6-5	4		1981–82	1st Round	1-3	1		2007–08	Final	8-3	5
1956–57	Round of 16	4-3	2		1982–83	Round of 32	6-2	2		2008–09	Round of 16	2-1	2
1957–58	Quarter-finals	6-2	3		1983–84	Round of 16	10-7	3		2009–10	Final	14-7	5
1958–59	Round of 16	18-4	6		1984–85	Round of 32	14-3	2 plus an additional Round		2010–11	Round of 32	1-1	1
1959–60	Quarter-finals	5-3	3		1985–86	Semi-finals	16-8	5		2011–12	Round of 16	3-3	2
1960–61	Round of 16	4-3	2		1986–87	Round of 16	13-6	3 plus an additional Round
1961–62	Quarter-finals	5-5	3		1987–88	Round of 16	10-4	3
1962–63	Semi-finals	11-6	4		1988–89	Round of 16	10-4	3
1963–64	Round of 16	1-2	2		1989–90	Round of 16	16-7	3
1964–65	Quarter-finals	5-4	3		1990–91	Round of 32	13-7	2

Notes:

Α. ^ In 1931–32: Aris would enter in the Round of 16, but got a bye and entered in the Quarter-finals

Β. ^ In 1931–32: finalist, lost final against AEK F.C. 5-3

Γ. ^ In 1932–33: finalist, drew final against Ethnikos Piraeus F.C. 2-2 and lost replay final 2-1

Δ. ^ During 1933-38 no cup tournaments were held due to financial reasons

Ε. ^ In 1939-40: won Round of 16 against Doxa Drama F.C. in replay match 4-2 as the original match ended in a 1-1 draw, won Quarter-finals against P.A.O.K. F.C. in replay match 1-0 as the original match ended in a 1-1 draw, won Semi-finals against AEK F.C. in second replay match 3-0 as the original match ended in a 2-2 draw and the first replay match in a 0-0 draw

ΣΤ. ^ In 1939-40: finalist, lost final against Panathinaikos F.C. 3-1

Ζ. ^ In 1940-41: only some 1st Round matches were played before the tournament was abandoned because of World War II; Aris did not participate in those

Η. ^ During 1941-46 no cup tournaments were held because of World War II

Θ. ^ In 1948-49: lost 1st Round against Iraklis F.C. in replay match 2-0 as the original match was suspended in the 88th minute and ultimately abandoned due to dim light, while Aris was winning 0-1

Ι. ^ In 1949-50: won Quarter-finals against P.A.O.K. F.C. in replay match 1-3 as the original match ended in a 3-3 draw

IΑ. ^ In 1949-50: finalist, lost final against AEK F.C. 4-0

ΙΒ. ^ In 1955-56: won Quarter-finals against Iraklis F.C. in replay match 2-1 as the original match ended in a 1-1 draw

ΙΓ. ^ In 1957-58: lost Quarter-finals against Panathinaikos F.C. 2-0 because Aris did not show up in protest to its treatment by the Greek Federation and the match was awarded to Panathinaikos

ΙΔ. ^ In 1961-62: won Round of 16 against P.A.O.K. F.C. on coin toss as both the original match and the replay match ended in 1-1 draws

ΙΕ. ^ In 1962-63: won Round of 16 against Iraklis F.C. in replay match 0-3 as the original match ended in a 0-0 draw, lost Semi-finals against Olympiakos F.C. in replay match 5-2 as the original match ended in a 1-1 draw

ΙΣΤ. ^ In 1967–68: won Round of 32 against Kavala F.C. on coin toss as the two teams were drawn 0-0 after extra time in the original match

ΙΖ. ^ In 1969-70: cup winner, won final against P.A.O.K. F.C. 1-0

ΙΗ. ^ In 1971-72: lost Quarter-finals against P.A.O.K. F.C. 0-2 because Aris' players attacked the junta-appointed referee in the 88th minute while the score was 1-2 in favour of P.A.O.K.; the match was suspended and awarded to P.A.O.K.

ΙΘ. ^ In 1979-80: entered in the 1st Round, but advanced from the 2nd Round (Round of 32) to the 3rd Round (Round of 16) on a bye

Κ. ^ In 1999-00: won Round of 16 against Panathinaikos F.C. on penalties 4-2 as the two teams were drawn 1-1 after extra time in the original match

ΚΑ. ^ In 2001-02: entered in the 1st Round, but advanced from the 2nd Round (Round of 32) to the 3rd Round (Round of 16) on a bye

ΚΒ. ^ In 2002-03: finalist, lost final against P.A.O.K. F.C. 1-0

ΚΓ. ^ In 2004-05: finalist, lost final against Olympiakos F.C. 3-0

ΚΔ. ^ In 2007-08: finalist, lost final against Olympiakos F.C. 2-0

ΚΕ. ^ In 2008-09: lost Round of 16 against P.A.O.K. F.C. on penalties 8-9 as both the original match and the replay match ended in 0-0 draws

ΚΣΤ. ^ In 2009-10: finalist, lost final against Panathinaikos F.C. 1-0

ΚΖ. ^ In 2010-11: lost Round of 32 against Trikala F.C. on penalties 4-2 as the two teams were drawn 1-1 after extra time in the original match

European competitions

Aris FC have played in the UEFA Cup and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup on many occasions. The furthest the club has progressed is to the Third Round of the 1979–80 UEFA Cup where Aris beat the Portuguese side Benfica 4–3 on aggregate in the 1st Round, and Italian club Perugia 4–1 on aggregate in the 2nd Round, before being eliminated 4–7 on aggregate by French club Saint Etienne. Aris's most recent participation in Europe is in the 2010–11 UEFA Europa League. The club's biggest win in a European competition was 6–0 to Hibernians, while the heaviest defeat was 1–9 to Újpest, both in 1968–69.

Aris boasts a remarkable statistic in European football; the club has not lost a home game in European competitions in 42 years, having gone 26 home games undefeated. This record was notably maintained when Aris defeated Europa League champions Atlético Madrid on 16 September 2010, Aris' 23rd undefeated home game in Europe. The team then went on to tie Bayer Leverkusen and Manchester City to keep the record intact once more.

European matches panorama

Aris Thessaloniki F.C. scores are given first in all scorelines.

Season	Competition	Round	Opponent		Home leg	Away leg	Aggregate	Notes
			Country	Club
1964–65	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	1st Round	Italy	A.S. Roma	0–0	0–3	0–3
1965–66	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	2nd Round	West Germany	FC Köln	2–1	0–2	2–3
1966–67	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	1st Round	Italy	Juventus	0–2	0–5	0–7
1968–69	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	1st Round	Malta	Hibernians	1–0	6–0	7–0
		2nd Round	Hungary	Újpest	1–2	1–9	2–11
1969–70	Inter-Cities Fairs Cup	1st Round	Italy	Cagliari	1–1	0–3	1–4
1970–71	Cup Winners' Cup	1st Round	England	Chelsea	1–1	1–5	2–6
1974–75	UEFA Cup	1st Round	Austria	Rapid Wien	1–0	1–3	2–3
1979–80	UEFA Cup	1st Round	Portugal	Benfica	3–1	1–2	4–3
		2nd Round	Italy	Perugia	1–1	3–0	4–1
		3rd Round	France	Saint-Étienne	3–3	1–4	4–7
1980–81	UEFA Cup	1st Round	England	Ipswich Town	3–1	1–5	4–6
1981–82	UEFA Cup	1st Round	Malta	Sliema Wanderers	4–0	4–2	8–2
		2nd Round	Belgium	Lokeren	1–1	0–4	1–5
1994–95	UEFA Cup	Qualifying Round	Israel	Hapoel Be'er Sheva	3–1	2–1	5–2
		1st Round	Poland	Katowice	1–0	0–1	1–1	3–4 on penalties
1999–00	UEFA Cup	1st Round	Switzerland	Servette	1–1	2–1 (a.e.t)	3–2 (a.e.t)	extra time win
		2nd Round	Spain	Celta de Vigo	2–2	0–2	2–4
2003–04	UEFA Cup	1st Round	Moldova	Zimbru Chişinău	2–1	1–1	3–2
		2nd Round	Italy	Perugia	1–1	0–2	1–3
2005–06	UEFA Cup	1st Round	Italy	A.S. Roma	0–0	1–5	1–5
2007–08	UEFA Cup	1st Round	Spain	Real Zaragoza	1–0	1–2	2–2(a)	Aris advanced to the next round on away goals
		Group Stage (Group F)	Serbia	Red Star Belgrade	3–0		3–0	group phase was played in a single round-robin format
			England	Bolton Wanderers		1–1	1–1
			Portugal	Braga	1–1		1–1
			Germany	Bayern Munich		0–6	0–6
2008–09	UEFA Cup	2nd Qualifying Round	Croatia	Slaven Belupo	1–0	0–2	1–2
2010–11	UEFA Europa League	3rd Qualifying Round	Poland	Jagiellonia Białystok	2–2	2–1	4–3
		Play-off Round	Austria	Austria Wien	1–0	1–1	2–1
		Group Stage (Group B)	Spain	Atlético Madrid	1–0	3–2	4–2	Aris advanced to the next round, finishing 2nd with 10 points
			Germany	Bayer Leverkusen	0–0	0–1	0–1
			Norway	Rosenborg	2–0	1–2	3–2
		Round of 32	England	Manchester City	0–0	0-3	0-3

UEFA club ranking

Current ranking Rank Country Team Points 88 Nuremberg 22.237 89 Deportivo de La Coruña 22.094 90 Aris 21.260 91 Rosenborg 20.935 92 Austria Vienna 20.765 As of 16 February 2012

Ranking the last ten years Season Rank Points Season Rank Points 2002–03 117 22.391 2007–08 112 19.525 2003–04 108 19.467 2008–09 125 12.633 2004–05 140 15.715 2009–10 130 12.979 2005–06 145 15.587 2010–11 95 20.833 2006–07 149 13.415 2011–12 90 21.260 Season 2011–12 in progress.

UEFA club competition record

As of 24 February 2011, including qualifying matches.

Competition	Pld	W	D	L	GF	GA
UEFA Champions League	0	0	0	0	0	0
UEFA Cup Winners' Cup	2	0	1	1	2	6
UEFA Cup & UEFA Europa League	48	19	14	15	64	70
UEFA Super Cup	0	0	0	0	0	0
Inter-Cities Fairs Cup (not sanctioned by UEFA)	12	3	2	7	12	28
Intercontinental Cup	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	62	22	17	23	78	104

Club officials

Board of Directors

Chairman	Thanasis Athanasiadis
Director of football	Giannis Michalitsos
Executive Director	Giannis Kontis
Managing Director	Antonios Zabetas
A Vice	Dimitris Sarris
B Vice	Ilias Poppis
C Vice	Themistoklis Bekiaris
Member	Dimis Papaioannou
Member	Stratos Eugeniou
Member	Agapitos Valogiorgis
Member	Tasos Orfanidis
Member	Christos Grollios
Commercial Director	Georgios Eleftheroudes
Press Officer	Chryssanthos Tsaltides
General Manager	Georgios Koltsidas

Source: [2]

Coaching staff

Position	Staff
Manager	Manuel Machado
Assistant manager	Basilio Fernandez Marquez
Fitness Coach	Giannis Gioris
Physio	Konstantinos Syggounas
Goalkeeping Coach	Giannis Plavoukos
Scout	Leonidas Vosdou

Last updated: 30 August 2010
Source: arisfc.gr

Stadium

Since 1951 Aris have played their home games at Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium. The 22,800 capacity stadium was originally just called the Aris Stadium, but was renamed in honour of former player Kleanthis Vikelidis.

The team's training ground is Athlitikes Engatastaseis Neou Ryssiou.

Managerial history

Name Nat. Years Balkan Wars 1912–14 Aris is founded 1914 World War I 1914–19 Greco-Turkish War (1919–1922) 1919–22 Grigoris Vlachopoulos 1914–22 Kostas Vikelidis 1922–27 First National Championship held 1927–28 Thomas Kössler 1927–29 De Valer 1929–32 Kostas Vikelidis 1932 Gyula Antal 1932–34 Kostas Vikelidis 1934–40 Matches not held due to World War II 1940–45 Dionysis Kaltekis 1945–49 Iakovos Yakumis 1949–50 Nikolaos Aggelakis 1950–53 Kleanthis Vikelidis 1953–55 Kiril Simonovski 1955 Ernst Netuka 1955 Alexander Petrović 1955–56 Mladen Kašanin 1956 Ivan Stefovič 1956–57 Kleanthis Vikelidis 1957 Ivan Stefovič 1957–58 Dionysis Kaltekis 1958 Carl Panagl 1958 Kleanthis Vikelidis 1958–59 Svetislav Glišović 1959–61 Kleanthis Vikelidis 1961 Kostas Velliadis 1961 Ljubiša Spajić 1961–62 Vasilis Grigoriadis 1962 Ettore Trevisan 1962 Bela Palfi 1962–66 Svetislav Glišović 1966–67 Severiano Correia 1967–69 Nikolaos Aggelakis 1969 Milovan Ćirić 1969–70 Michalis Baltatzis 1970

Name Nat. Years Milovan Ćirić 1970–71 Michalis Baltatzis 1971 Les Allen 1971 Wilf McGuinness 1971–73 Branko Stanković 1973–75 Alketas Panagoulias 1975 Dobromir Zhechev 1975–76 Alketas Panagoulias 1976–77 Panagiotis Patsidis 1977 Carl-Heinz Rühl 1977 Panagiotis Patsidis 1977–78 Milovan Ćirić 1978 Apostol Čačevski 1978–79 José Sasía 1979–80 Frank Blunstone 1980 Michal Vičan 1980–81 Giannis Nalbantis 1981 Dettmar Cramer 1981–82 Antonis Georgiadis 1982–84 Kostas Chatzikostas 1984 Thijs Libregts 1984–86 Giannis Venos 1986 Gojko Zec 1986–87 Klimis Gounaris 1987 Gerd Prokop 1987–88 Alketas Panagoulias 1988–90 Kostas Tsilios 1990 Jacek Gmoch 1990–91 Kostas Tsilios 1991 Ivan Vutsov 1991–92 Giorgos Foiros 1992–96 Giannis Tzifopoulos 1996 Jozef Jarabinský 1996 Stavros Diamantopoulos 1996–97 Giorgos Semertzidis Giorgos Pantziaras 1997 Juan Ramón Rocha 1997 Giorgos Foiros 1997–98 Georgios Paraschos 1998

Name Nat. Years Alketas Panagoulias 1998–99 Ilija Petković 1999–00 Giorgos Semertzidis Giannis Michalitsos 2000 Babis Tennes 2000–01 Henri Michel 2001 Richard Tardy 2001 Giannis Tzifopoulos 2001 Bernd Krauss 2001–02 Giorgos Foiros 2002–03 Giannis Michalitsos 2003 Giorgos Pantziaras 2003 Ole Skouboe 2003 Makis Katsavakis 2003–04 Giorgos Chatzaras 2004–05 Martti Kuusela 2005 Nikos Anastopoulos 2005–06 Guillermo Ángel Hoyos 2006 Nikos Passialis 2006 Enrique Hernández 2006–07 Juan Oliva 2007 Dušan Bajević 2007–08 Enrique Hernández 2008 Mazinho 2008–09 Dimitris Bugiuklis 2009 Héctor Cúper 2009–11 Giannis Michalitsos 2011 Sakis Tsiolis 2011 Michał Probierz 2011 Giorgos Semertzidis Giannis Michalitsos 2011–12 Manuel Machado 2012–

Sources:

Notable former players

Nikolaos Aggelakis Daniel Batista Angelos Charisteas Traianos Dellas Giorgos Foiros Leonidas Kampantais Fanis Katergiannakis Savvas Kofidis Kostas Kolomitrousis Georgios Koltsidas Dinos Kouis Stavros Labriakos Takis Loukanidis Dimitris Mavrogenidis Alketas Panagoulias Giorgos Pantziaras Avraam Papadopoulos Stelios Papafloratos Nikos Tsiantakis Kleanthis Vikelidis

Kristi Vangjeli Carlos Arano Raúl Bobadilla Alejandro Delorte Leandro Gracian Cristian Nasuti Fernando Sanjurjo Gilbert Prilasnig Sanel Jahić Nikola Nikic Marcio Amoroso Ronaldo Guiaro Thiago Gentil Valentin Ignatov Joël Epalle Dorge Kouemaha Gilles Domoraud Christos Marangos Ole Skouboe Camel Meriem

Patrick Valéry Njogu Demba-Nyrén Carlos Ruiz Salaheddine Bassir Said Chiba Talal El Karkouri Richard Knopper Emmanuel Ekwueme Carlos Flores Maciej Murawski Danilo Pereira Paulo Costa Ian Daly Ismail Ba Ilija Ivić Zoran Lončar Nasief Morris Rubén Palazuelos Sergio Koke Toni Calvo

Magnus Källander Mehdi Nafti Freddy Adu Eddie Johnson Sebastian Abreu Alejandro Lembo Mario Regueiro Kennedy Nagoli

See also

• Aris Thessaloniki
• Aris BC
• Aris Volleyball Club

External links

• Official football website (in Greek and English)
• Aris FC uefa.com
• Club-owned Radio Station
• Aris Members' Society website