This interview is a little bit different, normally i interview football casuals or clothing brands that are inspired by terrace fashion.
This interview is with a former ultra who followed Greek side PAOK FC.
When did you first go to a football match?
I was lucky enough to go to football at the age of 8 back in 1979. My whole family were PAOK fans, so it was impossible to be affected by anything else and follow some wrong way...
My uncle was one of the founders of Gate 4 and actually he was the one who encouraged me to enter...
What drew you too football?
It was a love at the first sight! I believe there is no better way to express myself. Football matches with my mentality and made my life easier. Football is a mirror of our society..
What was your first memory of getting in trouble?
My first memory of a trouble was a few years later on 9th of March 1980 and it was a real highlight. PAOK was playing at home and was defeated by Panathinaikos 0-2 and the referee created a big scandal with his decisions.
The crowd became aggressive and the police couldn't control the situation! Riots spread everywhere throughout the city even though there were no away fans.
It was the first time in my life to breath tear gas!
How did Greek casuals start and how did you get involved?
I could say it happened when I started following PAOK away. Around 1985 we were wearing Alpha flying jackets, usually worn inside out, if it kicked off it would be very hard for somebody to describe you or recognise you. Also boots, mostly Doctor Martins but also simple military boots and of course blue jeans.
Personally I have always been keen on Stone Island, Lambretta and Ben Sherman's which I wear now with pleasure.
I don't go to football games as much as i use to and when I go I watch it peacefully sitting with my daughter but my style never changes.
Can you tell us a bit about FC PAOK Gate 4?
Gate 4 as an official supporting club it was established in 1976, the hardcore group, what you in the UK call a firm, was in existence much earlier.
It was principally consisted from lads who followed PAOK everywhere. Always offensive and with a clear plan: "To conquer every city and to dominate in every stand!" Gate 4 has always been a demanding group and never hesitated to make trouble if necessary.
Dozens of PAOK games have been suspended and some never started at all. We have been banned in Europe more than anyone else, but that's who we are. Actually that's the way Gate 4 became a legend!
Who are your main rivals?
Easy question...Everybody!
We have always been "PAOK AGAINST ALL". In Greece our main rivals are Olympiakos but it has been so hard for them to face us sometimes, that they made a coalition with all Athens teams.
In the city of Thessaloniki there is a big rivalry with the "Worms". This is the nickname of aris fans who actually don't "deserve" to be called fans because there is such a filthy background in their history (when they coperated with German occupiers back in 1941) that can't be forgotten.
Are there banning orders in Greece (when the police & the authorities stop you going to football) ?
Yes, believe me, it's much tougher than the UK. If you are arrested for trouble, you are not just banned from going to football, You have to be present in your local police station two hours before every match.
That means you must be there 4-5 hours and that is a disaster for your life!
It's almost impossible to have a job because there are not many understanding bosses that will let you be absent from work for so many hours per week! This means there is no chance to travel abroad with your family for a peaceful weekend. It's really horrible!
If you are charged more than once you are considered by the law as a "terrorist" and you are jailed without going to court! There are so many cases of lads being jailed for up to 18 months and then the court decided they were innocent.
This interview is with a former ultra who followed Greek side PAOK FC.
When did you first go to a football match?
I was lucky enough to go to football at the age of 8 back in 1979. My whole family were PAOK fans, so it was impossible to be affected by anything else and follow some wrong way...
My uncle was one of the founders of Gate 4 and actually he was the one who encouraged me to enter...
What drew you too football?
It was a love at the first sight! I believe there is no better way to express myself. Football matches with my mentality and made my life easier. Football is a mirror of our society..
What was your first memory of getting in trouble?
My first memory of a trouble was a few years later on 9th of March 1980 and it was a real highlight. PAOK was playing at home and was defeated by Panathinaikos 0-2 and the referee created a big scandal with his decisions.
The crowd became aggressive and the police couldn't control the situation! Riots spread everywhere throughout the city even though there were no away fans.
It was the first time in my life to breath tear gas!
How did Greek casuals start and how did you get involved?
I could say it happened when I started following PAOK away. Around 1985 we were wearing Alpha flying jackets, usually worn inside out, if it kicked off it would be very hard for somebody to describe you or recognise you. Also boots, mostly Doctor Martins but also simple military boots and of course blue jeans.
Personally I have always been keen on Stone Island, Lambretta and Ben Sherman's which I wear now with pleasure.
I don't go to football games as much as i use to and when I go I watch it peacefully sitting with my daughter but my style never changes.
Can you tell us a bit about FC PAOK Gate 4?
Gate 4 as an official supporting club it was established in 1976, the hardcore group, what you in the UK call a firm, was in existence much earlier.
It was principally consisted from lads who followed PAOK everywhere. Always offensive and with a clear plan: "To conquer every city and to dominate in every stand!" Gate 4 has always been a demanding group and never hesitated to make trouble if necessary.
Dozens of PAOK games have been suspended and some never started at all. We have been banned in Europe more than anyone else, but that's who we are. Actually that's the way Gate 4 became a legend!
Who are your main rivals?
Easy question...Everybody!
We have always been "PAOK AGAINST ALL". In Greece our main rivals are Olympiakos but it has been so hard for them to face us sometimes, that they made a coalition with all Athens teams.
In the city of Thessaloniki there is a big rivalry with the "Worms". This is the nickname of aris fans who actually don't "deserve" to be called fans because there is such a filthy background in their history (when they coperated with German occupiers back in 1941) that can't be forgotten.
Are there banning orders in Greece (when the police & the authorities stop you going to football) ?
Yes, believe me, it's much tougher than the UK. If you are arrested for trouble, you are not just banned from going to football, You have to be present in your local police station two hours before every match.
That means you must be there 4-5 hours and that is a disaster for your life!
It's almost impossible to have a job because there are not many understanding bosses that will let you be absent from work for so many hours per week! This means there is no chance to travel abroad with your family for a peaceful weekend. It's really horrible!
If you are charged more than once you are considered by the law as a "terrorist" and you are jailed without going to court! There are so many cases of lads being jailed for up to 18 months and then the court decided they were innocent.
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In England we call normal supporters 'scafers' do you have a word/name for normal supporters in Greece or is everyone fair game?
From place to place you can meet different names for normal supporters!
We call them "Ties" and "Furs"
Did you prefer Home or Away games?
Undoubtedly Away games and that's not only my personal opinion. I am sure that every PAOK supporter would say the same!
Away games is a unique way of life and the best way to get compact as a firm.
On away days I have made my best friends! Real friendships that have lasted for a life time!
Do you miss the old days?
Yes of course I miss the old days! as far as I know everybody does. Even the younger generations wish they lived in those days and I have a theory that explains why?
In my days it was clear that there is a slight border line between being a hooligan and a common criminal. If you could manage to balance exactly on that line you deserved everybody's respect. Respect and real friendship is what the whole thing is all about. Now a days nobody cares about that line. If you ask a young lad I am sure he doesn't really know if he is a hooligan a gangster or a common criminal. That's why everyone misses the old days.
From place to place you can meet different names for normal supporters!
We call them "Ties" and "Furs"
Did you prefer Home or Away games?
Undoubtedly Away games and that's not only my personal opinion. I am sure that every PAOK supporter would say the same!
Away games is a unique way of life and the best way to get compact as a firm.
On away days I have made my best friends! Real friendships that have lasted for a life time!
Do you miss the old days?
Yes of course I miss the old days! as far as I know everybody does. Even the younger generations wish they lived in those days and I have a theory that explains why?
In my days it was clear that there is a slight border line between being a hooligan and a common criminal. If you could manage to balance exactly on that line you deserved everybody's respect. Respect and real friendship is what the whole thing is all about. Now a days nobody cares about that line. If you ask a young lad I am sure he doesn't really know if he is a hooligan a gangster or a common criminal. That's why everyone misses the old days.
One of the main diffrences between British Casuals & Ultras is Pyro, smoke bombs etc.. and the art work that goes into the banners & flags you show at matches, Have you been involved in making these banners etc?
I could say we belong to the classic Balkan style which is actually a mixture of British Casuals and Ultras. Especially PAOK fans we don't like correos! We prefera pyro show but we also make banners which are divided in two categories:
One is the banner category (which is legal) and specifies the presence of a group. In this category a lot of money is invested and a lot of creativity from the manufacturers.
The second category are the banners which have a message. It could be a threat, a warning or a accusation that is known by everyone but there is not enough evidence for it to be published in the press or undertaken by the justice. Those banners are illegal and usually we make them in our language in away games abroad.
Have you seen the film Ultras on Netflix If you have what did you think of it? Have you seen the British hooligan films?
Yes I have seen Ultras and I have also seen almost all the British hooligan films.
I believe that Ultras should be named somthing else. This production has actually nothing to do with what Ultras is really about!. However it has a clear message to the viewer it's not convincing at all! I believe British hooligans films are more close to reality. They try to present facts as it is or as it used to be, some of them provide what is all about! As I told before it's all about real friendship and respect!
I could say we belong to the classic Balkan style which is actually a mixture of British Casuals and Ultras. Especially PAOK fans we don't like correos! We prefera pyro show but we also make banners which are divided in two categories:
One is the banner category (which is legal) and specifies the presence of a group. In this category a lot of money is invested and a lot of creativity from the manufacturers.
The second category are the banners which have a message. It could be a threat, a warning or a accusation that is known by everyone but there is not enough evidence for it to be published in the press or undertaken by the justice. Those banners are illegal and usually we make them in our language in away games abroad.
Have you seen the film Ultras on Netflix If you have what did you think of it? Have you seen the British hooligan films?
Yes I have seen Ultras and I have also seen almost all the British hooligan films.
I believe that Ultras should be named somthing else. This production has actually nothing to do with what Ultras is really about!. However it has a clear message to the viewer it's not convincing at all! I believe British hooligans films are more close to reality. They try to present facts as it is or as it used to be, some of them provide what is all about! As I told before it's all about real friendship and respect!
Christos in more peaceful times watching football with his daughter.
its been interesting to learn about what goes on in Greece. Casual or Ultra we all have one thing in common we all support our clubs and take the rough with the smooth.
We would like to thank Christos for taking part in this interview and wish him and his family all the best for the future.
M J Nash Editor ukcasuals & southerncasuals
its been interesting to learn about what goes on in Greece. Casual or Ultra we all have one thing in common we all support our clubs and take the rough with the smooth.
We would like to thank Christos for taking part in this interview and wish him and his family all the best for the future.
M J Nash Editor ukcasuals & southerncasuals
