By Andrew Paschalidis – Heartbeat of Football Founder
I first walked into the offices of Foreign Language Publications in 1983 after being alerted to an advertisement in The Greek Herald. Foreign Language Publications was seeking to find a cadet journalist for the iconic Australian Soccer Weekly publication.
Now remember, this was in the days before mobile phones, internet and social media, etc. Each week, football fans would wait for this weekly publication and devour all the local and international news/results about the world game. It was a football fans weekly staple diet.
My mum’s cousin Betty Tzelati alerted me to the advertisement. I told Betty I’d have no chance given I stopped going to Greek School at the age of nine because it clashed with soccer training. I had started my playing journey with my local Sydney club Hurlstone Park Wanderers at just 9 years old in 1971.
Thankfully, there was no need to write or read Greek. I had opened the pages of The Greek Herald many times over the years, always from the back to see what was happening in the football world. My dad Chris would translate for me after he devoured it and had his morning Greek coffee.
I had trepidation going into that interview with experienced editor Michael Mystakidis. At that time, I was going to the Max Rowley Radio School and was a member of the 1982 NSW Indoor Soccer Team. I sensed this helped me, although Mystakidis knew of my Pontian background.
I didn’t tell my dad given I had a very secure job as a management trainee with J. Blackwoods & Sons — Australia’s biggest suppliers of engineering and marine equipment established in 1878. Three of us from 120 applications were picked straight out of high school in 1980.
Life at Blackwoods was awesome but throughout my school years I had a passion for football and wanted to be a commentator, but my Year 12 marks were not good enough to study journalism. In 1982. I was earning $240 a week – a great wage for my age and experience.
Mystakidis was impressed with me and called me back to say that FLP owner Theo Skalkos wanted to meet me before deciding. I walked into Theo’s office in Glebe feeling nervous, but little did I know he knew my dad. Then again, Theo probably knew hundreds of Greek dads!
I got the job. Signed a contract. I was a first year Cadet Journalist earning $110 a week, which was the standard wage back then.
Yes, I was over the moon knowing these opportunities are rare for anyone who didn’t study journalism, but my only fear was ‘how do I tell my father!’ I knew he would be livid knowing he wanted me to continue working at Blackwoods which would have given me more experience to follow through and join the family business Pascal Excavations.
Understandably, dad was livid. He rang Theo straight away while I sat next to him wondering whether my media career was going to stop before it started. Theo told him I’d signed a contract, and he was very happy for me to join the Australian Soccer Weekly team. Dad relented. I was clear to start. Relief!
There are two decisions my father made which have shaped my journey in life. Allowing me to start playing football at just 9 years old in 1971 despite training clashing with Greek School and then giving me the green light to start at Australian Soccer Weekly in 1983.
Working at Foreign Language Publications in 1983 and 1984 was a great joy. It opened some massive doors. I got to work with some amazing football journalists like Andrew Dettre, David Jack, Ray Gatt, John Economos, Mike Cockerill, Tom Anderson and many more.
Theo, who was nicknamed “Earthquake” by Economos, gave me free rein while Mystakidis was a great mentor. I was on my way. I learnt how to write, typeset and structure pages.
I had two key roles. To cover everything involved with the Football NSW competitions and help put together Johnny Warren’s page — Captain Socceroo. I obviously didn’t know at the time I would end working closely with Johnny for 10 stunning years at SBS.
Each Monday night, Australian Soccer Weekly would go to print. Each Monday night after we checked the presses, David Jack and I would go to the local Chinese restaurant to enjoy our fruits of labour and start preparing for the next publication.
So many wonderful memories. So many dedicated people worked at Foreign Language Publications — remembering there was several other multicultural publications produced each week as well.
In 1984, another pivotal moment would come. I had met Les Murray through Johnny and he knew I wanted to be a commentator. He offered me the chance to call a game in Wollongong between the Wollongong Wolves and Apia Leichhardt. Les had trouble getting anyone to drive down to the Gong.
In a nutshell, if my commentary was good enough Les would use it on his weekly one-hour National Soccer League highlights show broadcast every Monday. As it turned out, in that game one of the goals scored was named Goal of the Week. The door had now opened at SBS Television. Les signed me up for the rest of the season!
At the start of 1985, I was presented with another stunning opportunity. My years at the Radio School along with my full-time work at Australian Soccer Weekly and part-time work at SBS opened up another big door.
I had applied for a few radio jobs at all the big networks including 2GB who had an array of stars including John Laws, Mike Carlton, Stephen O’Doherty, Greg Hartley and Peter Peters. It was Hartley who interviewed me as he was trying to find a replacement in the Sports Department for Jon Harker who joined the Seven Network just a year after winning a National Competition to join 2GB.
Hartley, a former leading rugby league referee, took a liking to me and offered me the job despite my football background. Incredible.
I wasn’t sure how I would break the news to Theo and Mystakidis. I didn’t want them to feel I had let them down, but they were most understanding.
As it turned out, I spent two years at 2GB while still working part time at SBS. At the end of 1986, I was offered a full-time role at SBS which I just couldn’t refuse. At just 24 years old, I would become the youngest host of a sport show on national television.
In the ensuing years, I would cross paths with Theo at many football related events. He never hesitated to tell one and all that Andy “Paskalidathakos” — as he affectionately called me — started his journey at Foreign Language Publications. I was always proud to hear him say it.
To his daughter Dimitra and her hard working, tight team I say Happy 100th to The Greek Herald — the only daily Greek publication outside of Greece. Keep flying the flag. Keep the flame alive. Congratulations on such an amazing legacy.
