Jim Patikas
Encyclopedia
Jim Patikas is a former Australia
n football
player. Renowned for his exceptional speed, he was capped 28 times for the Socceroos and played as a forward and midfielder for Sydney City
, Sydney Olympic
, Sydney Croatia
, AEK Athens, Athinaikos and Kastoria
.
Patikas represented the Young Socceroos in both the 1981 FIFA World Youth Cup in Sydney
and 1983 World Youth Cup in Mexico
. Despite being one of the youngest players in the 1981 World Youth Cup, Patikas had already played over two seasons for NSL
Champions Sydney City
. He was therefore a key part of the Australian squad that reached the Quarter Finals in 1981, losing 1-0 only to eventual winners, Germany
. His performances for the Young Socceroos and Sydney City earned Patikas his first full international cap aged only 17 against Indonesia in 1981 World Cup Qualifying and a contract with a Sir Alex Ferguson
coached Aberdeen
.
In 1983, after five seasons and three NSL Championships with Sydney City
, Patikas was signed by Tommy Docherty
at Sydney Olympic
. In his first season at Olympic, he won the NSL Cup and held the record for most Young Socceroos international appearances after playing in his 2nd FIFA World Youth Cup in Mexico. Against European Youth Champions Scotland
, Patikas scored a goal with 3 minutes remaining to give the Young Socceroos a 2-1 victory elevating them to the top of Group A. In the final round, a 2-1 defeat to Korea Republic saw the Young Socceroos exit the tournament with only one defeat. However, the performances of Patikas attracted the attention of many international scouts. One including newly appointed Barcelona F.C. coach Cesar Luis Menotti
. According to media reports, Patikas was offered a contract by Menotti, but injury forced him to return to Australia.
In 1985, Patikas joined Olympic's rivals Sydney Croatia
and scored 2 goals against his former club on his way to the NSL
Player of the Year and Top Goalscorer titles (17 goals). He played 13 of his 28 caps during this season, and was a key member of the Socceroos 1986 World Cup Qualifying matches against a Scottish national side featuring Gordon Strachan
, Alex McLeish
and Graeme Souness
. Patikas who had experience in Scotland during his time at Aberdeen
was one of the Socceroos stand-out performers in a 2-0 aggregate loss. Following these games, he was signed by Greek club AEK Athens.
In his third season at AEK, Patikas won the league title ending the club's 10 year championship drought. He went on to make over 200 appearances for AEK in all competitions (including European Cup, Uefa Cup and Cup Winners Cup) scoring 58 goals. He won 3 Greek Championships
, 1 Greek League Cup, 1 Greek Super Cup
and 1 Pre-1991 Mediterranean Games
Cup.
After nearly a decade with AEK Athens, Patikas signed for Athinaikos during the 1993 season. In his first game back at Nikos Goumas Stadium
, he scored against his old club, AEK. Despite being man-of-the-match, he ended up on the losing side as the Greek champions won 3-2.
In 1995, Patikas signed for Northern Greek outfit Kastoria
in Gamma Ethniki
. The club was promoted into Beta Ethniki
, and Patikas helped the club gain promotion into the Greek First Division for the first time since 1983. Following two successful seasons at Kastoria, Patikas returned home to play for Sydney United and Sydney Olympic in the NSL
.
With Sydney City
: NSL Championship: 1980, 1981, 1982
With Sydney Olympic
NSL Cup: 1983
With AEK AthensGreek Championship
: 1989, 1992, 1993Greek League Cup: 1990Greek Super Cup
: 1989Pre-1991 Mediterranean Games
Cup: 1991
Individual:
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n football
Football (soccer)
Association football, more commonly known as football or soccer, is a sport played between two teams of eleven players with a spherical ball...
player. Renowned for his exceptional speed, he was capped 28 times for the Socceroos and played as a forward and midfielder for Sydney City
Sydney City Soccer Club
Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
, Sydney Olympic
Sydney Olympic FC
Sydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
, Sydney Croatia
Sydney United
Sydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area...
, AEK Athens, Athinaikos and Kastoria
Kastoria F.C.
Kastoria FC, or AGS Kastoria , the Athletic and Gymnastic Association of Kastoria, is a Greek association football club based in the city of Kastoria, Macedonia, Greece.-History:...
.
Patikas represented the Young Socceroos in both the 1981 FIFA World Youth Cup in Sydney
Sydney
Sydney is the most populous city in Australia and the state capital of New South Wales. Sydney is located on Australia's south-east coast of the Tasman Sea. As of June 2010, the greater metropolitan area had an approximate population of 4.6 million people...
and 1983 World Youth Cup in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. Despite being one of the youngest players in the 1981 World Youth Cup, Patikas had already played over two seasons for NSL
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Champions Sydney City
Sydney City Soccer Club
Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
. He was therefore a key part of the Australian squad that reached the Quarter Finals in 1981, losing 1-0 only to eventual winners, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. His performances for the Young Socceroos and Sydney City earned Patikas his first full international cap aged only 17 against Indonesia in 1981 World Cup Qualifying and a contract with a Sir Alex Ferguson
Alex Ferguson
Sir Alexander Chapman "Alex" Ferguson, CBE is a Scottish association football manager and former player, currently managing Manchester United, where he has been in charge since 1986...
coached Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
.
In 1983, after five seasons and three NSL Championships with Sydney City
Sydney City Soccer Club
Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
, Patikas was signed by Tommy Docherty
Tommy Docherty
Thomas Henderson "Tommy" Docherty , commonly known as "The Doc", is a Scottish former footballer and football manager.-Playing career:...
at Sydney Olympic
Sydney Olympic FC
Sydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
. In his first season at Olympic, he won the NSL Cup and held the record for most Young Socceroos international appearances after playing in his 2nd FIFA World Youth Cup in Mexico. Against European Youth Champions Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, Patikas scored a goal with 3 minutes remaining to give the Young Socceroos a 2-1 victory elevating them to the top of Group A. In the final round, a 2-1 defeat to Korea Republic saw the Young Socceroos exit the tournament with only one defeat. However, the performances of Patikas attracted the attention of many international scouts. One including newly appointed Barcelona F.C. coach Cesar Luis Menotti
César Luis Menotti
César Luis Menotti, known as El Flaco is an Argentine football coach and former player, who as coach, won the 1978 FIFA World Cup for Argentina.-Playing career:...
. According to media reports, Patikas was offered a contract by Menotti, but injury forced him to return to Australia.
In 1985, Patikas joined Olympic's rivals Sydney Croatia
Sydney United
Sydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area...
and scored 2 goals against his former club on his way to the NSL
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Player of the Year and Top Goalscorer titles (17 goals). He played 13 of his 28 caps during this season, and was a key member of the Socceroos 1986 World Cup Qualifying matches against a Scottish national side featuring Gordon Strachan
Gordon Strachan
Gordon David Strachan OBE is a Scottish football manager and former player. He is currently without a club, having last managed Middlesbrough. Strachan played for Dundee, Aberdeen, Manchester United, Leeds United and Coventry City, as well as the Scotland national team. Prior to Middlesbrough,...
, Alex McLeish
Alex McLeish
Alexander "Alex" McLeish , is a Scottish former professional footballer and manager, who is currently managing English Premier League club Aston Villa...
and Graeme Souness
Graeme Souness
Graeme James Souness is a Scottish former professional football player and manager.Souness was the captain of the successful Liverpool team of the early 1980s and player-manager of Rangers in the late 1980s as well as captain of the Scottish national team. He also played for Tottenham Hotspur,...
. Patikas who had experience in Scotland during his time at Aberdeen
Aberdeen F.C.
Aberdeen Football Club are a Scottish professional football club based in Aberdeen...
was one of the Socceroos stand-out performers in a 2-0 aggregate loss. Following these games, he was signed by Greek club AEK Athens.
In his third season at AEK, Patikas won the league title ending the club's 10 year championship drought. He went on to make over 200 appearances for AEK in all competitions (including European Cup, Uefa Cup and Cup Winners Cup) scoring 58 goals. He won 3 Greek Championships
Super League Greece
The Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
, 1 Greek League Cup, 1 Greek Super Cup
Greek Super Cup
-Official edition:-External links:*...
and 1 Pre-1991 Mediterranean Games
1991 Mediterranean Games
The 11th edition of the Mediterranean Games were held in Athens, Greece fromthe 28th of June to the 12th of July 1991. Eighteen nations competed in 24 different sportingevents.- Pre-Mediterranean Cup :...
Cup.
After nearly a decade with AEK Athens, Patikas signed for Athinaikos during the 1993 season. In his first game back at Nikos Goumas Stadium
Nikos Goumas Stadium
Nikos Goumas Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Nea Filadelfeia , a northwestern suburb of Athens, Greece. It was used mostly for football matches and was the home stadium of AEK Athens FC. It was named after a one-time club president, Nicholas Goumas, who contributed to its building and later...
, he scored against his old club, AEK. Despite being man-of-the-match, he ended up on the losing side as the Greek champions won 3-2.
In 1995, Patikas signed for Northern Greek outfit Kastoria
Kastoria F.C.
Kastoria FC, or AGS Kastoria , the Athletic and Gymnastic Association of Kastoria, is a Greek association football club based in the city of Kastoria, Macedonia, Greece.-History:...
in Gamma Ethniki
Gamma Ethniki
Football League 2, formerly known as Gamma Ethniki, is the third highest professional football league in Greece.-History:It began in 1965 as an amateur championship, while in 1983 it was changed to professional...
. The club was promoted into Beta Ethniki
Beta Ethniki
Football League, former Beta Ethniki, is the second highest professional football league in Greece.-History:In its first years, the system of conduct was very intriguing. It began in 1954 as regional championship, separated in two groups, North and South. Then, the participating teams were the...
, and Patikas helped the club gain promotion into the Greek First Division for the first time since 1983. Following two successful seasons at Kastoria, Patikas returned home to play for Sydney United and Sydney Olympic in the NSL
National Soccer League
The National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
.
Honours
Player:With Sydney City
Sydney City Soccer Club
Sydney City Soccer Club is a football club from Sydney, Australia.The club was formed in 1939 as Sydney Hakoah by members of the Sydney Jewish community. They played between 1977 and 1986 in the National Soccer League as Eastern Suburbs and Sydney City...
: NSL Championship: 1980, 1981, 1982
With Sydney Olympic
Sydney Olympic FC
Sydney Olympic Football Club is an Australian football club that plays in the NSW Premier League. It competed in the National Soccer League from 1977 until the league's demise in 2004, having won the championship in 1989–90, 2001–02, the League Cup in 1980, the minor premiership in 2002–03 and the...
NSL Cup: 1983
With AEK AthensGreek Championship
Super League Greece
The Superleague Greece is the highest professional football league in Greece. It was formed on July 16, 2006 and replaced Alpha Ethniki at the top of the Greek football league system. The league consists of 16 teams and runs from August to May, with teams playing 30 games each...
: 1989, 1992, 1993Greek League Cup: 1990Greek Super Cup
Greek Super Cup
-Official edition:-External links:*...
: 1989Pre-1991 Mediterranean Games
1991 Mediterranean Games
The 11th edition of the Mediterranean Games were held in Athens, Greece fromthe 28th of June to the 12th of July 1991. Eighteen nations competed in 24 different sportingevents.- Pre-Mediterranean Cup :...
Cup: 1991
Individual:
- NSLNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Player of the Year: 1985 with Sydney CroatiaSydney UnitedSydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area... - NSLNational Soccer LeagueThe National Soccer League is the former national association football competition in Australasia, overseen by Soccer Australia and later the Australian Soccer Association. The NSL spanned 28 seasons from its inception in 1977, until its demise in 2004...
Top Scorer: 1985 with Sydney CroatiaSydney UnitedSydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area...
- 17 goals - NSW Player of the Year: 1985 with Sydney CroatiaSydney UnitedSydney United Football Club are an Australian football club from Sydney, Australia, established in 1957 by Croatian Australians in the area...
- Greek League Dream Team: 1990/91 with AEK Athens