It is one of the four “pillars” in the OPAP Arena
AEK mourns the loss of the great Costas Nestoridisone of the legends of the team and one of the greatest scorers of Greek football who passed away at the age of 93.
“Nestoras” was one of the greatest figures not only of the Union but also of Greek football, mainly for his executive skill. Nestoridis is fully identified with AEK and indeed it is one of the four “pillars” in the new Union Stadium in New Philadelphia.
The news of the death was announced by PAE AEK itself:
“The AEK family and Greek football mourn the loss of one of the greatest figures in the history of the sport in our country. Kostas Nestoridis passed away at the age of 93, having struggled with serious health problems for the last time.
One of the leaders in the history of AEK, a legend of Greek football who “marked” an entire era, left for his last journey, plunging into sadness all those who managed to witness his football greatness, but also the younger ones who grew up with his legend.
Kostas Nestoridis was one of the greatest virtuosos who appeared on our courts. He was originally from Pontus and was born on March 15, 1930 in Drama, but during the years of occupation he followed his family to Athens. At the age of 15, he joined the Greek club Moschatos and in the late 40s he found himself in Panionios.
In 1955 it was time to transfer to AEK. He preferred AEK because of its refugee origin, but the management of Panioni refused to grant him. Thus, according to the regulations in force at the time, he came to the “Union” with a “two-year ban”. Until 1957 he only participated in friendly matches, but from the period 1957-58 he was now free to compete in AEK and in official matches.
Until 1965, in matches of the Athens Championship, Greek Championship and Cup and European Cups, he scored a total of 228 goals, of which 141 were in the First National Team. In the 1958-59 season, he won for the first time the title of top scorer in the Greek Championship with 21 goals in 18 matches. This was followed by the establishment of the First National Team, where he was the top scorer in the first four seasons (1959-63) with 33, 27, 29 and 24 goals respectively. In other words, he was the top scorer in five consecutive Championships!
He had once scored a “five-pointer” (with Iraklis 5-0 in 1963), a “frame” and twelve hat-tricks, while the goals he scored with corner kicks have remained unforgettable! He was the goal man who was recognized and adored by fans for his achievements even many decades after his football career ended.
His crowning moment was winning the championship from AEK in 1963, the team’s first post-war title and the first at A National level. He left AEK in 1966 and later, as a coach, sat on their bench in 15 Championship matches in 1983 and 1984.
Kostas Nestoridis takes with him the love and recognition of all of us. PAE AEK expresses its heartfelt condolences to the relatives of the deceased and participates in their mourning.”
Who was Costas Nestoridis?
Kostas Nestoridis has been one of the greatest scorers and most productive players in Greek football, being most associated with AEK and the National Team with whom he played 17 times and scored three goals.
He was born in Drama on March 15, 1930, but grew up in Athens, taking his first football steps in Kallithea. He started his career in Panionios, where he played for seven years (1948-1955).
The most important chapter of his career was followed by AEK in whose colors he did incredible things, as a result of which he is one of the most famous footballers in the history of Greek football. He moved to AEK in 1955, however he was banned for two years, as Panionios did not agree to his departure.
In total, he played in the yellow and black jersey 263 times, scoring 228 goals. For five years he was the top scorer of the A’ National team (1959 – 1963), something that only he and Antonis Antoniadis have achieved with the Panathinaikos jersey. In fact, he was the first to score for AEK in an official European game in the 1963/64 season.
In 1966 he left AEK for Hellas Melbourne (later South Melbourne), where he stayed for a year. But he managed to show his great talent there as well, as he scored a total of 33 goals and was also the top scorer in the Victoria State League (1966). He ended his football career playing for Byzantium Megarons (1967) and Ayantas Salaminas (1968).
Nestoridis also served AEK as a coach for two terms in the 1982/83 and 1983/84 seasons, a post that did not last long.
Indicative of his quality and gifts was the song written for him entitled “And like Nestorides no one will come out”. In fact, the ‘boss’ of PAE AEK, Dimitris Melissanidis he had told Nestoridis that he became AEK because of him.
Titles and individual distinctions
- 1 Greek Championship (1963)
- 1 Greek Cup (1964)
- 1 Victoria State League Championship (1966)
- Top scorer of the Greek league (159, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963)
- Victoria State League Top Scorer (1966)
