A.O. Nea Ionia F.C.

A.O. Nea Ionia F.C, officially known as Nea Ionia (Greek: Νέα Ιωνία, Athlitikos Omilos Neas Ionias), the "Athletic Union of New Ionia", is a Greek association football club based in the city of Nea Ionia, Greece.^[7] The club currently compete in the Gamma Ethniki, the third division in the Greek football pyramid.

A.O. Nea Ionia

Full name	Athlitikos Omilos Neas Ionias (Athletic Union of New Ionia)
Nickname(s)	Κυανοκίτρινοι (Blue-Yellows)[1]
Founded	1928; 97 years ago (1928) (as OFNI)[2] 1967; 58 years ago (1967) (as Elpida Neas Ionias)[3] 1976; 49 years ago (1976) (as OFNI) 1988; 37 years ago (1988) (as Ionikos Neas Ionias) 2001; 24 years ago (2001) (as AO Neas Ionias)[1]
Ground	Municipal Stadium of Nea Ionia
Capacity	3,000
Chairman	Theodoros Douridas
Head Coach	Isidoros Stavrianos[4][5]
League	Gamma Ethniki
2024–25	3rd of 17[6]
Website	http://www.aonionias.gr/
Home colours Away colours

History

At the end of the first decade of the previous century, the town of Nea Ionia had a lot of football clubs, each with its separate football history.^[8][9] The town was known to the rest of Athens for its sport-active inhabitants.^[10] The archives of the country’s newspapers, some originating from 1928, provide insights into a club referred to as Omilos Filathlon Neas Ionias (OFNI).^[2] The year 1967 saw this club forced to affiliate with AE Eleftheroupolis, ultimately leading to the creation of Elpida Neas Ionias as a consequence of the junta regime's influence. Following the fall of the military junta in Greece, the club was not reinstated. The club Elpida Neas Ionias held onto its name until 1976, when it chose to rebrand itself as OFNI. In 1978, OFNI proceeded to merge with Ikaros football club and continued to operate under the name OFNI. In 1988, the newly established OFNI club underwent a merger with PAO Kalogreza, giving rise to Ionikos Neas Ionias. This partnership developed further when Ionikos allied with AO Neapolis, leading to the formation of AO Neas Ionias in 2001.^[1][3] The basic colours of the team are yellow and blue.

In the 2007–08 season, AEK Athens was scheduled to compete on artificial turf against Red Bull Salzburg in the second leg of the first qualifying round for the 2007–08 UEFA Cup. In a spirit of cooperation, Nea Ionia permitted AEK Athens to utilize its artificial pitch, facilitating the acclimatization of their players. In exchange, AEK Athens committed to competing in two friendly matches with the Ionian football club. The training center of AEK Athens and the Olympic Stadium of Athens hosted these friendly matches, both of which concluded with Nea Ionia football club suffering defeats (0-1 and 1-3).^{[11][12][13][14][15]}

The football club was relegated from the Greek Football League 2 in the 2014–15 season, as their performance resulted in a 13th-place standing in Group 4. The 2015–16 football season saw the club entering the local championships as a consequence of a change in ownership and serious financial issues.

In 2018, the club appealed to the Hellenic Football Federation for the training compensation (€29.500) of Marios Ogboe's transfer from OFI Crete to Hamilton Academical and won the case.^[16][17]

In April 2024, the football club of Nea Ionia won its first regional cup against Aris Petroupolis in a final held at Georgios Kamaras Stadium.^[18][19] In that same month, the club achieved a significant milestone by securing its inaugural regional championship.^[20]

On 11 September 2024, the football club of Nea Ionia defeated AER Afandou in the second qualifying round of the 2024–25 Greek Football Cup, recording its first win ever in the Greek Cup.^[21] On 15 September 2024, Nea Ionia defeated Anagennisi Artas breaking another record by advancing to the fourth qualifying round of the Greek Cup for the first time in its history.^[22] On 26 September 2024, the club was disqualified, in penalties (1-2), by Panionios football club and lost its chance to participate in the fifth round of the 2024–25 Greek Football Cup.^[23][24]

Stadium

The municipal stadium located in Nea Ionia serves as the home ground for the A.O. Nea Ionia football club, and it was built in 1962. The stadium’s main access point is located along Olympias Street.^[25] In 2004, the entire stadium underwent significant renovations, including the installation of a state-of-the-art turf system on the pitch. It is important to acknowledge that the upgrade of the dressing rooms was accomplished solely in 2007. In 2015, the construction of the new facilities and stands was entirely funded by the government of Greece.^[26] Additionally, this stadium acts as the primary venue for Eleftheroupoli and P.A.O. Alsoupoli football clubs, playing a significant role in the community's sports culture. In August 2024, the local government funded the renovation of the stadium's track and the upgrade of the floodlights.^[27][28]

Part of the dramatic film 'The Striker with Number 9', directed by Pantelis Voulgaris, was filmed in this stadium.^[29]

Supporters

The club's fan group, Refugees Nea Ionia, is well-known for its strong antifascist stance.^[1][30] This antifascist mentality is a result of the club's fan base being the descendants of the 6,000 Asia Minor refugees who were selected to settle in the region during the population exchange between Greece and Turkey in 1922.^[31][32][33] These refugees were coal miners in the area and part of the Greek Resistance (EAM), which fought the Nazis and their Greek collaborators in the Kalogreza Block during World War II. Of these miners, twenty-two were executed.^[34][35]

Honours and achievements

A.O. Nea Ionia F.C. honours

Type	Competition	Titles	Seasons	Runners-up	Third place	Ref.
Domestic	Gamma Ethniki (Third-tier)	0			2024–25 (Group 4)
	Delta Ethniki (Fourth-tier)	0			2007–08 (Group 8), 2008–09 (Group 8), 2009–10 (Group 8)
Regional	Athens FCA First Division	1	2023–24 (Group 2)			[36]
	Athens FCA Cup	1	2023–24	2006–07		[37]
	U17 Athens FCA Youth League	1	2024–25			[38][39][40]

A.O. Nea Ionia W.F.C. honours

Type	Competition	Titles	Seasons	Runners-up	Third place	Ref.
Domestic	Beta Ethniki (Second-tier)	1	2001–02 (Group 3)			[41]

•   record
• ^S Shared record

Season by season in the higher divisions

Season	Category	Position	Points	GF \ GA	Cup	Ref.
2003–04	Delta Ethniki (Group 8)	7th	44	43—33	—	[42]
2004–05	Delta Ethniki (Group 9)	5th	44	30—25	—	[43]
2005–06	Delta Ethniki (Group 8)	5th	44	61—26	—	[44]
2006–07	Delta Ethniki (Group 8)	7th	42	43—36	—	[45]
2007–08	Delta Ethniki (Group 8)	3rd	49	54—26	—	[46]
2008–09	Delta Ethniki (Group 8)	3rd	51	51—23	—
2009–10	Delta Ethniki (Group 8)	3rd	61	69—28	—
2010–11	Delta Ethniki (Group 8)	8th	35	32—40	—
2011–12	Delta Ethniki (Group 8)	6th	43	35—21	—
2012–13	Delta Ethniki (Group 8)	4th	34	24—17	—
2013–14	Gamma Ethniki (Group 5)	6th	45	38—21	1R
2014–15	Gamma Ethniki (Group 4)	13th (R)	27	28—38	1R
2024–25	Gamma Ethniki (Group 4)	3rd	67	54—25	4R	[47][48]
2025–26	Gamma Ethniki	TBD	TBD	TBD	TBD

The best result is highlighted in bold.

Key: 1R = First Round, 2R = Second Round, 3R = Third Round, 4R = Fourth Round, 5R = Fifth Round, GS = Group Stage, R16 = Round of 16, QF = Quarter-finals, SF = Semi-finals, C = Champion, P = Promotion, R = Relegation.

Players

Current squad

As of 16 August 2025^[49]

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 1 GK  GRE Theodoros Antonopoulos 2 GK  GRE Nikhtas Lourakis 3 DF  GRE Pantelis Papazisis 4 DF  GRE Emmanouil Liofagos 5 DF  GRE Georgios Kokkorias 6 DF  GRE Dimitris Polyzois 7 DF  GRE Panagiotis Veshi

No. Pos. Nation Player 8 MF  GRE Iasonas Glynos 9 MF  GRE Athanasios Drikos 10 FW  GRE Vangelis Platellas 11 FW  GRE Georgios Pachos 12 FW  GRE Konstantinos Kokkorias 13 FW  GRE Nikolaos Ilaos Iliopoulos 14 FW  GRE Giannis Tsakiris

Retired numbers

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Pos. Nation Player 32 FW  GRE Pantelis Pantelidis (posthumous)

Notable former coaches

- Murat Seropian (2007) - Daniel Batista (2008–09)[50] Giannis Petrakis (2009–10)[51]

Notable former and current players

Further information: Category:A.O. Nea Ionia F.C. players

Criteria
To appear in this section a player must have either: Played at least one season for the club. Set a club record or won an individual award while at the club. Played at least one official international match for their national team at any time. Performed successfully during his period in the club or at later/previous stages of his career.

• 
  Savvas Gentsoglou
• 
  Stallone Limbombe

Kingdom of Greece

• Mimis Anastasiadis (1951–56)^[52][53]

Greece

• Antonis Panagiotopoulos (2004–06)
• Georgios Iordanidis (2006–07)^[54]
• Vasilios Vallianos (2007–08)
• Dimitrios Mouroutis (2007–08)
• Vangelis Kefalas (2008)
• Savvas Gentsoglou (2008)^[55][56]
• Xenofon Panos (2008–09)^[55][57]
• Lefteris Velentzas (2008–09)
• Diamantis Athanasiou (2008–10)
• Dimitrios Ziogas (2009)^[58]
• Theopistos Papadopoulos (2009–10)
• Periklis Minas (2009–10)
• Nikos Moustakis (2009–10, 2012–13)
• - Marios Ogkmpoe (2009–15)^[59]
• Georgios Provatas (2010–11)
• Isidoros Chalimourdas (2011–12)
• Georgios Vidalis (2011–13)
• Kleopas Giannou (2013–14)^[60][61]
• Viktoras Plantzos (2013–14)^[62]
• Panagiotis Karachalios (2013–15)
• Georgios Barkoglou (2014–15)^[63]
• Giannis Chloros (2014–15)
• Alexandros Karachalios (2014–15)
• Antonis Lykouris (2022)
• - Enias Kalogeris (2021–23)^[64][65]
• Vangelis Platellas (2023–)^[66][67]
• - Oresti Xhamaj (2024)
• - Georgios Droznt (2024–25)
• - Alexandros Lafkas (2024–25)
• Nikolaos Dimitriadis (2025)

Rest of Europe

• Flosard Malçi (2013–14)
• - Eralb Sinani (2014–15)
• - Stallone Limbombe (2024–25)^[68]
• Daniel Jackson (2024–25)^[69]
• Fabio Tavares (2023–24)^[70][71]
• Sandro Semedo (2024)^{[72][73][74][75]}

Africa

• - Jacques Alberto Ngwem (2025)^[76][77]
• Sekouba Fofana (2024–25)^[78][79]
• Cisse Ousmane (2022)

Americas

• - Paolo Farinola (2020–21)^[80][81]
• Fernandinho (2023–24)^[82]
• Luisinho (2024–25)^[73][83]
• Teobaldo Martínez (2023)^[84]
• Agustín Liucci Quintana (2022)^[85]
• - Andreas Chronis (2007–09, 2012–13)^[86]

Asia

• - Murat Seropian (2004–06)^[87]
• Michael Odysseos (2024–25)^[88][69]
• - Michalis Tsamourlidis (2013–14)^[89]

Personnel

Current Board

Position	Staff
President	Theodoros Douridas
Vice President A	Tilemachos Manousaridis
Vice President B	Fotis Tsapras
General Secretary	Christos Gribas
Special Secretary	Konstantinos Bambakopooulos
Financial Officer	Ilias Argianas
General Manager	Makis Elmaloglou
Team Manager	Georgios Choulis
Board Member	Anastasios Theodoridis

Kit providers and sponsors

Updated 27 July 2025

Kit provider	Period
Givova	2019–?
Zeus	2023–24
Luanvi	2024–

Updated 27 July 2025^[90]

Sponsor	Period
Ta Gioulia[91][92]	?–2026