March 28th 2013. Wayne, Pa. – With youthful enthusiasm and sportsmanship, our Greek-American soccer teams completed a first ever yesterday in the “35 and Older Adult Soccer league”. Each of the three teams, “Pas Yiannina”, “United FC” and “Old Bags” all won their games and they did it with a commanding effort.
HISTORY
Pick up soccer games in the Greek-American community are tied into many neighborhoods and communities where Greeks thrived and settled in to. One of those groups began many years ago at the Cardington-Stonehurst playground just behind 69th street, in Upper Darby, Pa.
That historic Greek community where so many Greeks immigrated to continues albeit a lot smaller. Many members moved in to the suburbs of Broomall, West Chester and western Delaware County, where they also took their love of sport, in this case soccer. Several different social/pick up leagues around the Marple Newtown area H.S. and route 926 in Newtown Square developed where many had moved to.
Now, some 20-30 years later many of these 1st generation Greeks and Greek-Americans have formed teams and are playing in a larger league. Three Greek teams are represented in this league of 20 that has become the premier place to compete for lovers of the sport. “I come because I get to be around my friends I grew up with and be part of the fun” said Agapios Bouikidis of Middletown, Pa. Bouikidis grew up in the heart of Upper Darby, Cardington-Stonehurst, just down the street from St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox church.
They still get together on Sunday afternoons at Marple Newtown, H.S. and on route 926 for friendly games amongst old friends, but their also growing fast. With three teams in the “YSC ADULT MENS LEAGUE” the Greeks are looking to expand to a fourth team. Tim Mironidis, the Commissioner of the Greek teams, says “We are looking for 2 more players to complete and create a fourth team, a captain and a goalie”. Mironidis also a player on United FC,says that the potential for an all Greek league is there in the future and if anyone out there is interested in joining up with this fast growing league, that he is the contact person for the “Greek teams” and should be contacted at: 610-316-7115.
CURRENT
While both OLD BAGS and UNITED F.C. won there respected games last night, they are also holding up in the middle of the pack of 20. PAS YIANNINA has been the standout team this year with a 6-1 record and holding on to 2nd place over all in the league. Playoffs are scheduled to start in just a couple of weeks, where Pas Yiannina is expected to do well and potentially win the league title.