Giorgos Sideris
Encyclopedia
Giorgos Sideris is a retired Greek
football striker
and is considered one of the greatest forwards in Olympiacos and Greek
soccer history. An inside-right forward that no-one or nothing could stand in his way (his nickname was "the Bulldozer"). Very quick with the ball on his feet and a player that had the instinct and charisma to score. Born in 1938, he transferred to Olympiacos from Atromitos Piraeus
in the summer of 1959. He scored 225 goals for his club, placing him at the top of Olympiacos' all-time scorers' table. Three times he was the top scorer in the Greek First Division. He became leading scorer three times in the Greek championship with: 29 goals in 1965, 22 goals in 1967. In 1970, he transferred to Belgium's
Royal Antwerp FC after having finished second to Bulgaria's
Petar Zhekov
of CSKA Sofia (36), for the European Golden Boot
competition in 1969, scoring 35 goals in that season. On 6 February 1972, Giorgos Sideris rejoins Olympiakos (in a match against Panachaiki
, 3-2) after his return from Belgium where he played for Antwerp (1971). He was the first Greek player to play for another European team outside Greece. On 20 February 1972 he played his last game against Panathinaikos
at Karaiskaki Stadium. After his football career ended, Sideris established a successful insurance company. Sideris was also one of the key offensive players of the Greek national team
. Despite only being capped 28 times (including once while a player with Atromitos), he scored 14 goals.
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
football striker
Striker
Forwards, also known as strikers, are the players on a team in association football who play nearest to the opposing team's goal, and are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals...
and is considered one of the greatest forwards in Olympiacos and Greek
Greece
Greece , officially the Hellenic Republic , and historically Hellas or the Republic of Greece in English, is a country in southeastern Europe....
soccer history. An inside-right forward that no-one or nothing could stand in his way (his nickname was "the Bulldozer"). Very quick with the ball on his feet and a player that had the instinct and charisma to score. Born in 1938, he transferred to Olympiacos from Atromitos Piraeus
Atromitos
Atromitos FC is a football club based in Peristeri, Athens that plays in the Super League Greece.-History:Atromitos FC was officially founded in May 1923 when Kalomvounis, Petos, Glykofridis, Stathopoulos, Synodinos, Rigopoulos, Stamatopoulos, and other students living in Victoria Square decided...
in the summer of 1959. He scored 225 goals for his club, placing him at the top of Olympiacos' all-time scorers' table. Three times he was the top scorer in the Greek First Division. He became leading scorer three times in the Greek championship with: 29 goals in 1965, 22 goals in 1967. In 1970, he transferred to Belgium's
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
Royal Antwerp FC after having finished second to Bulgaria's
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
Petar Zhekov
Petar Zhekov
Petar Petrov Zhekov is a former Bulgarian football player, who won the silver medal at the 1968 Summer Olympics.Zhekov was born in Knizhovnik, Haskovo Province, and began his career in F.C. Dimitrovgrad. Later he moved to Beroe Stara Zagora, where he twice became Bulgaria's top goalscorer. Between...
of CSKA Sofia (36), for the European Golden Boot
European Golden Boot
The European Golden Shoe, formerly known as the European Golden Boot, is an association football award presented each season to the leading goalscorer in league matches from the top division of every European national league...
competition in 1969, scoring 35 goals in that season. On 6 February 1972, Giorgos Sideris rejoins Olympiakos (in a match against Panachaiki
Panachaiki
Panachaiki, known officially as Panachaiki GE , the Pan-Achaean Athletic Union, is a Greek multisport club based in the city of Patras, Greece.- History :...
, 3-2) after his return from Belgium where he played for Antwerp (1971). He was the first Greek player to play for another European team outside Greece. On 20 February 1972 he played his last game against Panathinaikos
Panathinaikos FC
Panathinaikos Football Club is a Greek professional football club based in Athens. Founded in 1908, they play in the Super League Greece and are one of the oldest and most successful clubs in Greek football history. They have won 20 Greek Championships and 17 Greek Cups.Panathinaikos is the most...
at Karaiskaki Stadium. After his football career ended, Sideris established a successful insurance company. Sideris was also one of the key offensive players of the Greek national team
Greece national football team
The Greece national football team represents Greece in association football and is controlled by the Hellenic Football Federation, the governing body for football in Greece. Greece's home ground is Karaiskakis Stadium in Piraeus and their head coach is Fernando Santos...
. Despite only being capped 28 times (including once while a player with Atromitos), he scored 14 goals.