Post by paoktzi on Apr 21, 2011 21:57:58 GMT 10
For those who have followed the career path of Peter Tsekenis from the early days would probably say; ‘Sydney Olympic player now coach and former coach of Bankstown City Lions’ but most are unlikely to have delved a little deeper into the background or bothered to take the time to find out any more than that.
He has actually been a Sydney Olympic fan since his early days when he was taken along to their games by his family and, as you do, grew up wanting to play for his boyhood club, following in the footsteps of his childhood heroes.
But, unlike most of us, he fulfilled the dream and to many he is quite rightly hailed as one of their greatest players.
He came through the youth ranks and into the side when in the old NSL and spent 9-years playing at the top level with them making many a telling contribution in matches and although being lauded at times, never honestly received the full plaudits his unselfish play deserved but it isn’t something he dwells on and as is often the case.
When not on the field or coaching, he is a very intelligent chap to speak to with an often insightful comment or witty riposte.
“I thought the time was right for me to take over at the club. Everything fell into place and I felt the right people were there (behind the scenes) so it made my decision a little easier but it was something I hoped to do one day.”
Noted as a tigerish player in his day he is also known as being a winner, as mentioned by goalkeeper Paul Henderson in a recent interview, and it is this infectious enthusiasm that has Olympic playing some of their brightest football in years.
It would come as little surprise if they were to give the Grand Final make up a real good shake this season and although it’s early days yet with that particular piece of silverware some way off in the distance, the early signs have been very positive indeed.
Henderson looks solid at the back and in Alex Smith they have a striker who appears to be scoring for fun but it will be the second part of the season where things should really come together as due to renovation work at Belmore Sports Ground, they play just about all of the early rounds away from home which means on the run-in at the business end of the campaign they will secure home advantage.
“It’s true the second part of the season should be to our advantage but obviously with no home matches until then we really need to hang in there on our travels.
“If we are thereabouts after Round 11 then hopefully things will be in our favour but there are no guarantees in football except you never know how things will turn out.
“We’ll take each game on its merits but we will be disappointed if we don’t make the Top Five at least, as will every other team in that situation.”
The things is, when Peter comes out with comments like that you can never tell whether he is being serious or not as they are generally accompanied by a wry smile and a twinkle in the eye.
Another thing that is for certain though, Olympic are playing pretty football, a winner is at the helm and they will be a side to watch with great interest this season.
Tsekenis is a living Sydney Olympic legend but only time will reveal how his reputation at the club will be enhanced and if enhanced it is to be, couldn’t happen to a better fan of the club really.
-By Micky Brock
He has actually been a Sydney Olympic fan since his early days when he was taken along to their games by his family and, as you do, grew up wanting to play for his boyhood club, following in the footsteps of his childhood heroes.
But, unlike most of us, he fulfilled the dream and to many he is quite rightly hailed as one of their greatest players.
He came through the youth ranks and into the side when in the old NSL and spent 9-years playing at the top level with them making many a telling contribution in matches and although being lauded at times, never honestly received the full plaudits his unselfish play deserved but it isn’t something he dwells on and as is often the case.
When not on the field or coaching, he is a very intelligent chap to speak to with an often insightful comment or witty riposte.
“I thought the time was right for me to take over at the club. Everything fell into place and I felt the right people were there (behind the scenes) so it made my decision a little easier but it was something I hoped to do one day.”
Noted as a tigerish player in his day he is also known as being a winner, as mentioned by goalkeeper Paul Henderson in a recent interview, and it is this infectious enthusiasm that has Olympic playing some of their brightest football in years.
It would come as little surprise if they were to give the Grand Final make up a real good shake this season and although it’s early days yet with that particular piece of silverware some way off in the distance, the early signs have been very positive indeed.
Henderson looks solid at the back and in Alex Smith they have a striker who appears to be scoring for fun but it will be the second part of the season where things should really come together as due to renovation work at Belmore Sports Ground, they play just about all of the early rounds away from home which means on the run-in at the business end of the campaign they will secure home advantage.
“It’s true the second part of the season should be to our advantage but obviously with no home matches until then we really need to hang in there on our travels.
“If we are thereabouts after Round 11 then hopefully things will be in our favour but there are no guarantees in football except you never know how things will turn out.
“We’ll take each game on its merits but we will be disappointed if we don’t make the Top Five at least, as will every other team in that situation.”
The things is, when Peter comes out with comments like that you can never tell whether he is being serious or not as they are generally accompanied by a wry smile and a twinkle in the eye.
Another thing that is for certain though, Olympic are playing pretty football, a winner is at the helm and they will be a side to watch with great interest this season.
Tsekenis is a living Sydney Olympic legend but only time will reveal how his reputation at the club will be enhanced and if enhanced it is to be, couldn’t happen to a better fan of the club really.
-By Micky Brock
