Crystal Palace fans buy season tickets to help save Panionios F.C.

Hundreds of Crystal Palace fans have bought season tickets at Greek club, Panionios FC, after supporters’ group, the Holmesdale Fanatics, launched a fundraising initiative to raise awareness and provide vital support to help save the struggling Athens-based side.

The Fanatics have had close ties with the Greek club and their equivalent supporter group, Panthers Club 83, since 2008, with both sets of fans regularly visiting each other.

The friendship between the two clubs stems back to the early 1990s when a Panionios fan moved to South London and followed Steve Coppell’s side.

Panionios fans also joined the Eagles in celebration when Palace emerged through administration in 2010.

The campaign was started after Panionios, who are recognised as the oldest football club in Greece, were relegated to the third tier of their football pyramid after suffering financial trouble off the pitch.

Eagles fans are being urged to purchase a Panionios season ticket for £25 for the 2022-23 campaign to help secure the club’s financial future.

Since launching at the start of August, hundreds of Palace fans have already acquired season tickets to help the Athens-based club. A number of Palace supporters buying tickets spoke of their intention to attend a game, while others were proud to treat the ticket purchase as a much-needed donation to the Greek club.

Any contributor will receive a physical card, which will allow them to attend any game at the Nea Smyrni Stadium this season, and a letter of recognition from the club’s vice-president Nikitas Vellis.

In his letter, Vellis says: “As Crystal Palace fans, you know more than anyone how to support your club in its darkest hour – and now, with the unique bond between our great clubs, you are supporting us, this time in our hour of need.

“You are now part of the making of Panionios’ new history, serving as ambassadors of change and transparency, supporting our football team, which is working tirelessly to restore our place in Division 1.

“You are serving as ambassadors of the importance of sports and athletics in today’s modern society. Supporting the importance of clubs like ours, clubs at the heartbeat of our communities – which help young athletes, unaccompanied minors, refugees, working class families and those most in need.

“We thank you for your support and for sharing this vision. We will be proud to host you in our town and in our stadium, where you will experience the full Greek hospitality – every Crystal Palace fan welcomed like a brother for a common cause.”

Any fans wanting to donate to help Panionios can use this link: 

https://checkout.square.site/merchant/MLHEAX01MYWBS/checkout/BV6X2INQXFGDGFFXBGK754JF

PICTURE OF FANS: KEITH GILLARD