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Full name |
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Nickname(s) | Γηραιός (The Elder) Ημίθεος (The Demigod) | |||
Short name | Iraklis | |||
Founded |
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Ground | Kaftanzoglio Stadium | |||
Capacity | 27,560 | |||
Owner | Panagiotis Monemvasiotis | |||
Chairman | Aristotelis Perrakis | |||
Manager | Pavlos Dermitzakis | |||
League | Super League Greece 2 | |||
2023–24 | Super League Greece 2, 7th | |||
Website | https://iraklis-fc.com | |||
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Iraklis F.C.[1][2] (Greek: Ηρακλής Π.Α.Ε., Greek pronunciation: [iɾa'klis]), also known as Iraklis VENETIS BAKERIES F.C. (Greek: Ηρακλής Φούρνοι Βενέτη Π.Α.Ε.) for sponsorship reasons,[3] is a Greek professional football club based in the city of Thessaloniki, Macedonia, Greece. Created in 1908, it serves as the professional men's football department of the multi–sport club of G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis. The club's colours are blue and white, inspired by the flag of Greece. They play their home matches at Kaftanzoglio Stadium. As of 2021, the club competes in the second–tier level Super League Greece 2.
Founded on 29 November 1908 as Makedonikós Gymnasticós Sýllogos (Macedonian Athletic Club), they are one of the oldest in Greek football and the oldest in Thessaloniki, hence the nickname Ghireos (meaning the Elder). A year later, the name Iraklís (Heracles) was added to the club's name as an honour to the ancient Greek hero Heracles (or Hercules as the Roman equivalent). Iraklis Thessaloniki is a founding member of Macedonia Football Clubs Association, as well as the Hellenic Football Federation, as a part of G.S. Iraklis Thessalonikis.
Before the formation of the nationwide league of Alpha Ethniki, Iraklis Thessaloniki competed in the league that was run by the Macedonia Football Clubs Association, winning it on no less than five occasions. The club has also played in five Greek Cup finals, lifting the trophy once in the 1976 final, which is the club's only domestic trophy. They have also an international title, as they won the Balkans Cup in 1985.