OFI Crete F.C.

OFI was founded in the autumn of 1925^[2] by a group of Cretan athletes who exercised at the same gym in Heraklion. They registered a new sports club under the name Omilos Filathlon Irakleiou (acronym OFI), which means "Heraklion Sports Club".^[3] The club's official aim was to participate in all kinds of athletic events and exhibitions. In its early years, OFI's founders made up most of the members.

The years preceding World War II were very difficult, not only for Crete but for Greece in general. This made it extremely challenging for OFI to travel and participate in national football tournaments. As a result, OFI played mostly local matches on the island of Crete, particularly against other football clubs in Heraklion. Although there is no official documentation, elderly fans of OFI believe the team played around 400 matches before the German occupation of Crete.^[4]

During World War II, football competitions in Crete were suspended, with many OFI players joining the fight, some of whom lost their lives. After the war, the football tournament resumed in Greece with the "First Division", although it was mainly dominated by teams from Athens and Thessaloniki, leaving little room for provincial teams like OFI.

This created a challenging situation for OFI, as teams from other regions had to go through multiple preliminary rounds before they could compete in the national championship. Even though OFI was the top football team in Crete, it couldn't qualify for the national tournament.

In 1957–58, OFI finally qualified for the National Championship after winning their preliminary group. However, the team couldn't cope with the demands of national competition and finished last. It wasn’t until 1962, with the creation of the official 2nd Division, that OFI found a more stable footing in national football.

In 1962–63 the official Greek 2nd division league was set up for first time. OFI was one of the teams that participated in the league and completed the season in 9th position. In 1963–64 and 1964–65, OFI finished in 3rd and 5th position respectively.

In 1965–66, OFI were the champions of the 2nd Division of Greek football and only one step away from promotion to the official 1st National Division of Greek football. Yet, the Hellenic Football Federation decided that even the champions of the 2nd Division had to play preliminary games in order to be promoted.^[5]

OFI lost in the play-off matches and remained in the 2nd Division. In 1966–67 the disappointment was huge, even though OFI ended in 3rd position. Everyone on the island of Crete was feeling that the moment where they could see the pride of their island in the top league was very close. In 1967–68, OFI finished in 2nd position and went into play-off games with the bottom team of the 1st division. The final match of the play-offs was to take place in the city of Chania, on 26 June 1968. OFI, with the help of 10,000 Cretans thrashed the team from the 1st division with a 3–0 win and made the dreams of thousands of supporters come true.^[6] OFI was an official member of the 1st National Division.^[7]

OFI's debut in the national 1st division was very difficult. "Omilos" ended the first round in 15th position. It was a very difficult task to remain in the league. However, in the 2nd round the Cretans played magnificently and finally finished in 12th place. In the next season OFI had already gained the experience of playing in the top league of Greek football. The "Snakes" finished in 13th place, but the strange thing was that OFI remained unbeaten in almost all of their home games in Heraklion. Only two teams managed to survive and leave Crete with an away win. Thus, even if OFI was not a feared opponent, all the other teams were anxious when taking the trip to the island of Crete.

1970–71 was the worst season the team from Heraklion ever had in the 1st Division. OFI ended in 17th position and was relegated for the last time in their history to the 2nd division. The whole season was a tragedy for the Cretans. OFI had to meet "old friends" from the 2nd division again and start battling again in order to be promoted for a second time.

OFI had been relegated again, but this time the 2nd division had changed entirely. After all, the championship had been more officially organized and opponents were tougher than before.

OFI spent another 5 seasons in the 2nd division, from 1971–72 to 1975–76. During the first season, the team was continually in 1st place.

However, at the end of the season, OFI's good performances deteriorated and they finally finished 4th. In 1972–73 the management decided on a complete overhaul of the squad. In these circumstances, the 13th position OFI achieved was predictable, yet a new era of the stars of OFI had just begun. In the next season OFI finished 6th and in 1974–75 they finished 5th. In the next season the league was divided again into two groups, each of 20 teams. The champions of each group would be promoted directly to the First National Division. OFI couldn't afford to miss this chance. Everything started perfectly for "Omilos" in 1975–76. They finished 1st at the end of the first round with a huge lead over the runners-up and then finished the season as champions. The whole island of Crete was celebrating the promotion of OFI to the 1st division. Up to the present, (2007), OFI have never been relegated again.

During the late 1970s, OFI Crete established itself as a competitive team in the Greek 1st Division. In the 1976–77 season, despite being new to the top flight, OFI finished in 6th place, gaining national attention. Dimitris Papadopoulos emerged as the league's top scorer that year.^[8] The club continued to perform respectably over the next two seasons, finishing 8th and 7th respectively. During this period, OFI remained unbeaten at home, including against league heavyweights like Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, AEK, and PAOK, who found it challenging to secure points when visiting Crete.

The transformation of Greek football into a professional competition in the 1979–80 season coincided with the arrival of the Vardinoyiannis family as majority shareholders of OFI. Under the leadership of Theodoros Vardinoyiannis, the club entered a new era. In their first professional season, OFI finished 11th, with their only home loss being to Panathinaikos.^[9][10][11]

From the early 1980s, Panathinaikos began to send young players to OFI as part of a strategic collaboration. This led to mixed results, as the influx of inexperienced players contributed to OFI's struggles in the 1980–81 season, where they finished in 13th place. The subsequent seasons saw gradual improvement, with the team finishing 9th in 1981–82 and 7th in 1982–83.

Thus, in 1983–84, three goalkeepers, one midfielder, and one defender came from Panathinaikos to OFI. Among these players were Nikos Nioplias and Vangelis Chosadas, who became key contributors to the team. However, the strategy of relying on young, untested players continued to yield inconsistent results, and OFI finished in 8th place that season. Despite these challenges, the team began to develop a more cohesive unit, laying the groundwork for future success.

The following season, OFI's fortunes improved under a new coach, who managed to harness the potential of the team, turning them into a more competitive force in the Greek league.

In 1985, OFI appointed Dutch coach Eugène Gerards, marking the beginning of a legendary 15-year tenure.^[12] This remains the longest coaching stint in the history of the Greek League, a milestone that will be remembered fondly by Cretans. Gerards’ first three seasons at the helm were remarkable. In 1985–86, OFI finished 2nd in the league, narrowly missing out on the championship by just five points. The team followed this up with a 3rd-place finish in 1986–87 and 4th in 1987–88.

On 21 June 1987, Gerards led OFI to one of its greatest achievements: winning the Greek Cup by defeating Iraklis 3–1 on penalties at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.^[13] This victory established OFI as one of the major teams in Greek football at the time.

The 1987–88 season was historic for another reason: it marked the first time OFI finished above Panathinaikos, including a memorable 2–1 win in Heraklion, with a last-minute goal by Stefanos Vavoulas. During this golden era, OFI also participated in European competitions such as the UEFA Cup in 1986^[14] and the UEFA Cup Winners' Cup in 1987.^[15]

On 7 June 1989, OFI added to its trophy cabinet by winning the Balkans Cup after defeating FK Radnički Niš 3–1 in Serres.^[16]

Though OFI's performances slightly dipped in the following seasons (1989–1992), finishing 6th, 7th, and 6th, the team remained competitive. One of the most memorable moments in Greek football came on 27 May 1990, when OFI made an incredible comeback, overturning a 4–0 deficit against Olympiacos at Karaiskakis Stadium to win 4–5.^[17]

In 1992–93, OFI returned to form, finishing 4th in the league and qualifying for the UEFA Cup, where they made headlines by eliminating Slavia Prague and Atlético Madrid before being knocked out by Boavista.^[18] Despite this European run, OFI finished 7th in the 1993–94 Championship.

In 1996–97, OFI enjoyed one of its best seasons, finishing 3rd and qualifying for the UEFA Cup again, with four of its players called up to the Greek National Team.^[19] The season ended with a memorable 2–1 victory over Panathinaikos, leaving them outside the European qualification spots.

In 2000, after 15 glorious years, Gerards announced his retirement from the OFI bench, capping an era that saw the club consistently rank among Greece's elite teams.^[20] This was the last time OFI secured a European qualification spot, marking the end of a golden era.^[21]

The early 21st century was a time of transition for OFI, as the club navigated a series of challenges while maintaining its position in the Greek Super League. The retirement of key players such as Nioplias and Machlas led to a period of rebuilding, with the team making adjustments to its roster and management. Although 2001 proved to be a difficult year, with OFI fighting to remain in the 1st League, the following seasons saw gradual improvement, as the club managed to secure safety from relegation with increasing consistency.

President Fanouris Vatsinas appointed German Reiner Maurer as coach in the summer of 2006.^[22] Maurer revitalized the team's style of play, and for the first time since the Gerards era, OFI was in contention for a European spot. The club even participated in the Intertoto Cup in the summer of 2007. Although they did not advance far, this marked an important achievement for the club. However, the 2007–08 season proved to be another test, and after a difficult campaign, Maurer was replaced by Giorgos Paraschos, and later by Czech coach František Straka.^[23]

In 2009, OFI faced further challenges, including leadership changes and financial difficulties. The fans called for President Vatsinas to step down, and former player Machlas expressed his interest in purchasing the club, offering significant financial support.^[24] Despite efforts to turn the season around, Straka was dismissed, and Ioannis Matzourakis was brought in.^[25] However, OFI was ultimately relegated to the second division after finishing 16th in the 2008–09 season.^[26]

Despite these setbacks, OFI has shown resilience. Following the season, some senior players filed claims over unpaid wages, leading to their departure, but the club remained determined to rebuild and return to its former standing.

After a challenging period, OFI returned to the Super League in 2011 under a new administration led by former OFI legend Nikos Machlas.^[27] The club achieved an impressive 6th-place finish in the 2013−14 season, showcasing the team's potential. However, significant financial difficulties, with debts amounting to around €12 million,^[28] hindered further success. During the 2014–15 season, the club fell behind in the league standings, and on 21 March 2015, OFI withdrew from professional competitions due to the administration's inability to meet financial obligations.^[29] In a touching moment, the 15 remaining players took to the pitch at Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium to bid farewell to OFI's loyal fans.^[30][31] After 47 consecutive years in professional competitions, OFI was relegated to amateur status.^[32][33]

In response, the professional football department merged with its parent sports club, and a new leadership took over, initiating a fresh start. This allowed OFI to compete in the amateur Gamma Ethniki (third tier) under a new administration, free from the financial burdens of the past.^[34] OFI quickly bounced back, securing promotion after winning the 2015−16 Gamma Ethniki title.^[35] After two successful seasons in the Football League, OFI reclaimed its place in the Super League as 2017−18 Second Division champions, alongside historic rivals Aris Thessaloniki.^[36]

On 4 October 2018, Professional Sports Committee of Greece announced that Michael Bousis became the new major shareholder of OFI^[37] and in a few days (on 10 October) he took over the leadership of the administration during a press conference in Heraklion.^[38][39]

On 18 April 2019, the Professional Sports Committee of Greece announced that team Vice President C' Angelo P. Palivos, his brother Gregory Palivos and their mother Vassiliki Tyrvolis Palivos, secured ownership and control of 36.4% of the team's shares. The brothers both served on the teams Board of Directors on behalf of the Palivos family of Las Vegas, Nevada & Chicago, Illinois.

On 22 June 2020, Michael Bousis bought out the shares of the Palivos family and became again the majority owner of OFI Crete FC. On the same day, Angelo and Gregory Palivos resigned from their board seats.

On 17 May 2021, Michael Bousis announced that Minas Lysandrou, is the new CEO of the club. Lysandrou served as AEK Athens F.C. CEO up until 31 March 2021.

OFI's traditional crest has been a significant symbol of the club since its foundation in 1925, undergoing several variations over the years. The original crest featured a white shield with a black outline and a diagonal black ribbon containing the club's acronym "ΟΦΗ" in white Greek letters, read from the bottom left to the top right of the crest. In 2016, as part of the club's re-entry into professional competitions after its dissolution the year before, the club's foundation date «1925» was added to the crest, and the outline was significantly thickened to create a substantial visual change from the logo of the bankrupt, liquidated forerunner club.

On August 7, 2020, the club's new administration introduced a new crest, replacing the traditional shield with a circle. The new emblem features the Greek letters "ΟΦΗ" at the center of the circle. According to the club's press release, this design shift represents unity, strength, authenticity, and pride. The perfect circle symbolizes a complete world, a new football ethos, and the vision of the people of OFI for the team and the island of Crete. The design was inspired by the lines of a football field as seen from above, with the letters O and H corresponding to the two penalty areas, and the letter Φ representing the center of the pitch.^[40]

•  
  1925–2016 (variations)
•  
  2016–2020
•  
  2020–present

The colours that OFI has used since its foundation are black and white. Black is a traditional color worn by Cretan men, reflecting the island's heritage. Additionally, no other sports club in Crete had the same colour combination at the time. These colours have become synonymous with the club's identity, representing its heritage and values.

Sponsorships:

• Great Shirt Sponsor: OPAP
• Official Sport Clothing Manufacturer: Puma
• Golden Sponsor: AVIS

OFI's home ground is the Theodoros Vardinogiannis Stadium, located in Heraklion, Crete, Greece.^[41] Originally built in 1951, it has since undergone several renovations. The stadium is popularly known by its nickname "Yedi Kule," a reference to the famous Heptapyrgion (also known as "Yedi Kule" in Ottoman Turkish)—a Byzantine and Ottoman-era fortress located in the Acropolis of Thessaloniki, Greece.

After the passing of OFI's iconic leader, the stadium was officially named after Theodoros Vardinogiannis. The inaugural match took place on 11 November 1951, with OFI playing against the team of A.S.D.A.N. (similar to the current national team), resulting in a 4–1 defeat for OFI. Despite the loss, the event was historic, as OFI had finally acquired a permanent "home" to host its loyal fans and support the growing football culture in Iraklion. The stadium was built on the site of former Christian, Jewish and Armenia cemeteries, and the pitch area still contains remnants of large gun emplacements from the World War II occupation by German forces.

The highest recorded attendance at Yedi Kule was 12,391 spectators during a match between OFI and Olympiacos on 25 September 1988, which OFI won 2–1.^[42]

OFI has a big fan base in Crete. Most popular organized fan clubs are the "Snakes 4 Heraklion club" and "S.F Cretans 4 T. Papadopoulos".^[43][44]

OFI fans have good relations with the fans of PAOK, a friendship that started in October 1987 when OFI faced Atalanta for 1987–88 Cup Winners' Cup at Toumba Stadium and numerous PAOK fans supported the Cretans.^[45][46][47]

OFI has a long-standing rivalry with local side Ergotelis, often referred to as the "Cretan derby." The rivalry dates back to 1929 when the first-ever match between the two sides, a friendly, ended in chaos. The game, held in August 1929, was abandoned after just 35 minutes due to a violent clash between players. At that time, Ergotelis were leading by one goal.^[48]

The rivalry intensified under the Greek military junta of 1967–1974, when new legislation mandated that every regional Greek city should be represented by just one football team. At that time, both OFI and Ergotelis were competing in the Second National Division (Football League). After the 1966–67 season, Ergotelis finished 8th, while OFI placed higher in the standings, resulting in Ergotelis' relegation. The legislation also allowed the remaining second-division teams to sign players from relegated clubs, which led to five key Ergotelis players transferring to OFI. This marked the beginning of a prolonged period where Ergotelis languished in the lower leagues.

The rivalry, however, softened in the early 2000s when Ergotelis made their return to top-flight football. In a display of solidarity, OFI fans attended Ergotelis' games during their debut season in the Super League. Further evidence of improving relations came when Ergotelis loaned their legendary scorer, Patrick Ogunsoto, to a financially struggling OFI in the Beta Ethniki (second division) for no fee, to help the club in its bid to return to the Super League.^[49]

• Super League
  • Runners-up (1): 1985–86
• Greek Cup
  • Winners (1): 1986–87
  • Runners-up (1): 1989–90
• Pre-Mediterranean Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1990–91
• Greek Super Cup
  • Runners-up (1): 1987
• Football League
  • Winners (3): 1965–66, 1975–76, 2017–18
• Gamma Ethniki (3rd National Division)
  • Winners (1): 2015–16

• Balkans Cup
  • Winners (1): 1989

• Heraklion FCA Championship (Tiers 4−7)^[50]
  • Winners (18) (record): 1927−28,^[51] 1928−29, 1930−31, 1931−32, 1932−33, 1934−35, 1947−48, 1948−49, 1951−52, 1953−54, 1954−55, 1955−56, 1956−57, 1957−58, 1958−59, 1959−60, 1960−61, 1961−62

Best position in bold.

Key: FR = First Round, 3R = Third Round, 4R = Fourth Round, 5R = Fifth Round, GS = Group Stage, R16 = Round of 16, QF = Quarter-finals, SF = Semi-finals.

As of 11 September 2024

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

• O.F.I. (sports club)

Official websites

• Official website (in Greek)
• OFI at Super League (in English and Greek)
• OFI at UEFA

News sites

• OFI on gentikoule.gr (in Greek)
• OFI news from Nova Sports

Other

• Vardinogianneio Athletic Center^{[dead link]}