Made in Scotland…
He is from Aberdeen. He has lived in many different parts of Great Britain and has watched some of the biggest clubs of the world in action, as a football lover. But, as a fan, he has eyes only for PAOK. He is following the activity of the “Double-Headed Eagle” and his wish is to attend a match in packed Toumba Stadium. This is the story of Peter, a PAOK fan from Scotland.
The hero of our story was born in 1962 in Aberdeen, in northeastern Scotland. He became a football fan at a very young age, put on the shirt of the local club and never let go of it. He attended his first match in 1969, watching his Aberdeen beat Celtic 2-1.
Aberdeen always lived in the shadow of Celtic and Rangers, Glasgow’s two powerhouses, and rarely would vie for the league title. In 1970 he enjoyed the Scottish Cup win, but afterwards his club didn’t win any trophy. That would change in 1978, when Alex Ferguson took over the reins of the team. Peter watched his side win three league titles, four Scottish Cups and the European Cup Winners’ Cup in 1983, prevailing 2-1 over Real Madrid in the Göteborg final.
When he first came to Greece, he wanted to find out more about our football. PAOK attracted his interest. The similarities and coincidences with Aberdeen were too many to ignore. In two totally different football universes, where clubs of another city were having a stronghold on domestic competitions, PAOK and Aberdeen managed to remain on the stage, relying on their passion and pride, representing their cities. While Pete was in Greece, in 1985, PAOK won the league title and Aberdeen did the same in Scotland.
Time flew by, Peter left Greece and moved to London, but never stopped caring for PAOK. “I have been away from Aberdeen for 30 years now. I have lived in London, Edinburgh and now I am in Liverpool, but I never stopped thinking about my hometown team. A part of my heart remains devoted to PAOK. The ‘Double-Headed Eagle’ reminds me so much of Aberdeen, however I can safely say that their fans are… crazier’”.
Thirty-two years later, Peter returned to Greece for holidays along with his wife Jane, who is from Liverpool and a “red” family. They both wanted to attend a PAOK match and live the magic of Toumba Stadium. Unfortunately they couldn’t, because of the ban imposed on the “Double-Headed Eagle”. “I want to watch a PAOK match up close, to experience the craziness and the passion of the fans, but I wasn’t lucky. I was in London when they defeated Tottenham, but couldn’t attend the encounter due to work. The same happened when they qualified at the expense of Arsenal in Highbury. Now, third time unlucky…”
Just two hours before boarding their flight home, Pete and Jane managed to visit the home ground of PAOK, even empty. They were guided around the premises, got into the dressing rooms, went out on the pitch and the stands. Peter couldn’t hide his enthusiasm and happiness for the experience. “It was a unique moment. Even empty, Toumba is thrilling, awe-inspiring”.
Pete spoke like a Greek football connoisseur. He was perfectly informed about the situation in Greek football, was very happy about the change at the helm of the Hellenic Football Federation and expressed his certainty that the sport will see better days in Greece. Just like the “Double-Headed Eagle”: “Winning the Greek Cup was a grand moment. We won a trophy after a long time. Let’s hope that it’s just the beginning”.
Just before leaving for the airport, he expressed his dream: “My clubs have started their season on the right foot. I hope they continue like that and win their respective league titles after a 33-year long wait. It will be unique. I have already planned how to celebrate: with whisky and ouzo!”
