PAOK 2009/2010 Away Shirt

PAOK - AWAY SHIRT 2009/2010

PAOK are one of Greek football's grand old institutions, founded in 1926 in Thessaloniki by Greek refugees from Constantinople. Known as Dikefalos tou Vorra (the Double-Headed Eagle of the North), and to their supporters as the Aspromavroi (the Black and Whites), they play at the fearsome Toumba Stadium. Their Byzantine double-headed eagle crest proudly honours that Constantinople heritage, and Toumba's steep terraces make it one of the loudest grounds in Greece.

The 2009/2010 season, during which this eye-catching away shirt was worn, was PAOK's 51st consecutive campaign in the Super League, played under Portuguese manager Fernando Santos, later a European Championship winner with Portugal. PAOK finished third with 62 points from 30 games (19 wins, 5 draws, 6 defeats), behind champions Panathinaikos on 70 and Olympiacos on 64.

European nights proved short-lived. PAOK entered the Europa League at the third qualifying round and saw off Norway's Vålerenga, only to fall in the play-off round to Heerenveen, drawing 1-1 at Toumba and then 0-0 in the Netherlands, going out on away goals. The Greek Cup ended in a chastening 4-0 defeat by PAS Giannina.

The side was captained by Uruguayan Pablo García and featured winger Vieirinha, later a star for Wolfsburg and Portugal, while Portuguese midfielder Sérgio Conceição, a future PAOK boss, also featured. Bosnian striker Zlatan Muslimović managed four league goals as his minutes dwindled. The following summer brought a notable exit, Greece forward Dimitris Salpingidis joining rivals Panathinaikos in a deal worth around 5 million euros, one of the priciest transfers between Greek clubs at the time.

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