Sydney Olympic legend Fotis Papadopoulos passes away aged 86

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The Sydney Olympic community is despair following the news that club legend Fotis Papadopoulos tragically passed away last night.

The former player is a Sydney Olympic legend, being part of the first ever Olympic (formerly Pan-Hellenic SC) squad, competing in the NSW State League Division 2 back in 1957.

The 86-year-old was a life-member of the Belmore club, deeply loved by the Olympic and Greek community.

Sydney Olympic FC (Pan – Hellenic) 1958. Standing from left are: Jim Arapoglou, Takis Epitropakis, Takis Triantis, Comino Omeros, Fotis Papadopoulos, Theophanis Pavlidis and Christos Yiannakoulias. Photo: Vasilios Vasilas

He was described in 2015 as the “most loyal Sydney Olympic fan” by local radio host Dimitris Theofanis.

“Mr. Papadopoulos is at the game every week, he has been at games every week for the last 60 years as a player and as a supporter,” Theofanis said.

“This is loyalty and passion, we are very grateful for people like Fotis”.

“Fotis knows first-hand the feeling of putting on our jersey,” Former Sydney Olympic Vice-President Graham Athanaseris said.

“He is respected by the whole club because he is a kind man and a gentleman, a fixture of support but also because he is an historic figure for us.”

Fotis has been a long time reader of The Greek Herald newspaper and will be deeply missed.

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