Historical Crests PAOK FC

Name: ​ PAOK FC

Nickname(s): Dikefalos tou Vorra (The Two-Headed Eagle of the North)

Founded: 1926

Stadium: Toumba Stadium

Capacity: 29,000

PAOK FC Crest History

From 1926 to 1929, PAOK used its first official emblem, a circular black-and-white badge featuring a horseshoe enclosing a four-leaf clover, with the founding year 1926 in the centre. Around the outer ring appeared the club's full Greek name, Πανθεσσαλονίκειος Αθλητικός Όμιλος Κωνσταντινουπολιτών ("Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans"). The horseshoe and clover symbolised good fortune and hope, reflecting the optimism of the Greek refugees from Constantinople who founded the club after the population exchange between Greece and Turkey.

In 1929, PAOK adopted the double-headed eagle, a symbol that has remained at the heart of the club's identity ever since. The eagle, derived from the emblem of the Byzantine Empire, represents the club's roots in Constantinople (Istanbul) and honours the heritage of the Greek refugees who established PAOK in Thessaloniki. This first version placed the black eagle inside a simple circular badge with the abbreviation ΠΑΟΚ above it. Unlike many Byzantine depictions, the eagle's wings were folded, symbolising mourning and remembrance for the lost homeland rather than imperial power. This iconic emblem remained in use for more than sixty years.

Between 1991 and 2007, the club modernised the eagle by enlarging it and placing a black-and-white vertically striped shield on its chest, representing PAOK's famous playing colours. The abbreviation ΠΑΟΚ was positioned across the top of the shield, while the eagle's wings and tail became more stylised and dramatic. The redesign combined the club's refugee heritage with a stronger football identity and became one of the most recognisable crests in Greek football.

From 2007 to 2013, PAOK introduced a more traditional shield-shaped badge. The familiar double-headed eagle remained central, carrying the striped shield on its chest, while ΠΑΟΚ appeared prominently across the top and the founding year 1926 was added at the bottom. The shield gave the emblem a cleaner and more balanced appearance while preserving all of the club's historic symbols.

Since 2013, PAOK has used a refined version of the shield with a black, white, and gold colour scheme. The shield features a gold outer border, the founding year 1926 at the top, the bold ΠΑΟΚ wordmark, and the iconic double-headed Byzantine eagle embracing the club's striped shield. The folded wings continue to symbolise remembrance of the refugees' homeland, while the gold detailing reflects the club's prestige and ambitions

PAOK FC Club History

PAOK Football Club (Panthessalonikios Athlitikos Omilos Konstantinoupoliton) was founded on 20 April 1926 in Thessaloniki by Greek refugees from Constantinople (Istanbul) who had been forced to leave their homes following the Greco-Turkish War and the 1923 population exchange. The club was created as a symbol of hope and continuity for the refugee community, inheriting the traditions of the historic Hermes Sports Club of Constantinople. The club adopted the black and white colours to represent mourning for the lost homeland and the hope of a new beginning, while the double-headed Byzantine eagle with folded wings became its enduring emblem.

In its early decades, PAOK established itself as one of northern Greece's strongest clubs, winning numerous regional championships before becoming a founding member of the Alpha Ethniki in 1959. The opening of the Toumba Stadium in 1959 gave the club a permanent home and helped create one of the most intimidating football atmospheres in Greece.

PAOK won its first major national trophy by lifting the Greek Cup in 1972, defeating Panathinaikos in the final. The club added another Greek Cup in 1974 before enjoying one of the greatest periods in its history under coach Gyula Lóránt. In 1975–76, PAOK won its first Greek Championship, finishing ahead of Greece's traditional powers and establishing itself as one of the country's elite clubs.

The 1980s brought further success, including a second Greek Championship in 1984–85, led by legendary players such as Giorgos Kostikos, Theofanis Gekas, and Thomas Siggas. Throughout the decade, PAOK also became a regular participant in European competitions, earning a reputation for its passionate supporters and formidable home record at Toumba Stadium.

Although the 1990s and 2000s were marked by financial instability and inconsistent league performances, PAOK remained highly competitive. The club won the Greek Cup in 2001, 2003, and 2017, while continuing to produce talented players and compete regularly in UEFA competitions. During this period, PAOK strengthened its identity as one of Greece's "Big Four" clubs alongside Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and AEK Athens.

A new golden era began after businessman Ivan Savvidis acquired the club in 2012, investing heavily in the squad, infrastructure, and long-term development. The club's revival culminated in the 2018–19 season when PAOK won the Greek Super League without losing a single match, becoming the first club in modern Greek football history to complete an unbeaten league campaign. That same season, PAOK also won the Greek Cup, completing the club's first-ever domestic Double.

PAOK continued to challenge for domestic honours throughout the 2020s, winning another Greek Super League title in 2023–24 after a dramatic title race. The club also became a consistent participant in European competitions, regularly reaching the knockout stages of the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Europa Conference League, further enhancing its international reputation.

PAOK has won multiple Greek league championships and Greek Cups, making it one of the most successful clubs in Greek football history. The club is renowned for legendary players such as Giorgos Koudas, Stavros Sarafis, Kostas Iosifidis, Vieirinha, and Dimitris Pelkas, who have all become icons of the black-and-white shirt.

The club's fiercest rivalry is with Aris Thessaloniki in the Thessaloniki Derby, one of Greece's most intense local rivalries. PAOK also shares major rivalries with Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and AEK Athens, with these encounters often deciding domestic championships. 

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