The Absolute Star: Vassilis Hatzipanagis era .281975.E2.80.931990.29 Iraklis 1908 Thessaloniki F.C.

the 1979–80 season first season of professional football in greece. iraklis finished in 8th position in league having best goal difference since establishment of alpha ethniki +11. highlight of season 6–0 against title perennial contenders panathinaikos, panathinaikos biggest league defeat date. in greek cup competition of season iraklis eliminated veria, niki volos, almopos aridaia , panarkadikos reach semi-finals. in semi-finals iraklis eliminated paok, club s chairman accused bribe attempt paok s player filotas pellios. iraklis proceeded play in cup final, players morale damaged club defeated underdogs kastoria 5–2 margin. @ end of season iraklis demoted beta ethniki, due alleged bribery scandal. iraklis appealed against decision, , club was, later on, declared not guilty, club played in second division. in 1980–81 season iraklis had compete in beta ethniki without star player vasilis hatzipanagis. club won championship in northern group ilias chatzieleftheriou being top scorer 24 goals. iraklis scored total of 99 goals, conceding 22, , achieved club league record 12–0 win against edessaikos. upon return top tier iraklis managed finish in 6th position in league , achieved club s best goal difference @ time +14. in 1983–84 iraklis finished in third place overall, remains date club s best positioning, since professional football established in 1959. club, led chatzipanagis scored 12 goals in season, had best goal difference since establishment of alpha ethniki +27 goals , best defence record, conceding 20 goals.

in 1984–85 season iraklis finished in 5th position setting club s offensive record scoring 59 goals. major contributors record chatzipanagis, lakis papaioannou , sigurður grétarsson each contributing 10 goals throughout campaign. in same season iraklis won international competition, balkans cup. iraklis had eliminate turkish giants galatasaray winning 5–2 on aggregate in quarter-finals, , ankaragücü through penalty shoot-out in semi-finals. in final s second leg iraklis won argeș pitești 4–1, winning trophy 5–4 on aggregate. in 1985–86 season iraklis, lead lakis papaioannou finished season 8 goals, finished in fourth position, having best defensive record in league, conceding 22 goals. 2 years later, 17,000 fans travelled athens support iraklis in 1987 greek cup final, unfortunately see team lose 3–1 on penalties (1–1 regular time) ofi crete. on 9 november 1990, shortly after uefa cup match against valencia, hatzipanagis announced retirement professional football.