HERITAGE ROUND – Olympic is part of my life: Andrea Hatzioannou
Andrea ‘THE LEGEND’ Hatzioannou is the epitome of football fans in Australia and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
The fanatical Sydney Olympic supporter has been watching the side since he arrived from Greece as a 12-year-old.
But what the entire football family will forever remember him for his chants of “O-LYM-PIC” which echoed through the crowd at Olympic games.
From starting those infamous chants to more recently a devoted volunteer, the man affectionately known by his first name lives and breathes Sydney Olympic.
“It is part of my life,” Andrea told Football NSW.
“My father’s brother used to be the photographer for Panhellenic as we were called back then when I arrived. He took me to my first game and I have never left.”
Once known as Australia’s biggest sporting fanatic, the 64-year-old has gone onto become a gentleman and major asset to the game and the club.
His love for the game has never wavered, so much so he cannot put into words his feeling for the club.
“It’s hard to put into words what this club means to me. A lot of other Greeks play cards or go have a drink, all I ever wanted to do was support my team.
“I’ve been to most games for 52 years now, and only missed a few when I went on a holiday in 1982.
“Now I volunteer, I make sure the referees are taken care of at home games, I go and see the boys after a win.
“Even now my voice is gone from screaming after we beat Spartans last week.”
Sydney Olympic host APIA Leichhardt Tigers in this weekend’s Heritage Round at Belmore Sports Ground.
Tickets are available at the gate of all venues this weekend. Attend your local Heritage Round fixture and use #NPLHeritageRound on social:
Heritage Round – Saturday 28 May 2016
6:30pm – Sutherland Sharks v Manly United – Seymour Shaw
7pm – Bonnyrigg WE v Rockdale City Suns – Bonnyrigg Sports Centre
7pm – Hakoah Sydney City East v Wollongong Wolves – Hensley Athletic Field
Heritage Round – Sunday 29 May 2016
3pm – Sydney Olympic v APIA Leichhardt Tigers – Belmore Sports Ground
3pm – Parramatta FC v Blacktown Spartans – Melita Stadium
4pm – Sydney United 58 v Blacktown City – Sydney United Sports Centre
-By Chris Georges
