Original 21

Original 21 (Greek: Ορίτζιναλ 21) is the name of the association which consists of many supporters groups of the Greek multi-sports club AEK Athletic Club. Officially founded in 1982, Original 21 is the biggest supporters' union of AEK. Original 21 has members from all over Greece and has over the years become a part of the club by affecting club decisions and by following the club on all possible occasions.

Original 21 logo
Original 21
TypeSupporters, Ultras group
TerritoryAthens, Greece
Years active1982–present
ClubAEK Athletic Club
MottoAEK against all

Background

After the fall of the dictatorship, Greek society was dominated by the demand for the active participation of citizens in all political and social sectors. In this context, fan associations were also created.

One of them was the first organized association of AEK fans with the name Gate 21, founded in 1975. The name came from the corresponding entrance of the Nikos Goumas Stadium where the warmest supporters of the team gathered. In a way similar to a political party, which is organized with the axes of reference of the offices of local organizations, Gate 21 started its operation by renting an underground space in the area of Agios Nikolaos, Attica. The area was just four electric stops from the Nikos Goumas Stadium. The meetings of its members took place there. However, internal conflicts over the organization's action and orientation soon became apparent. Thus, in 1982 Gate 21 was split. The members who supported a more active presence in the life of the group left and founded the Genuine Gate 21, the Original 21, led by Dimitris Hatzichristos, who gradually developed into a leading figure and a key exponent of the association.

History

Origins

Original 21 was created in 1975, as Gate 21, taking its name from Gate 21 of the Nikos Goumas Stadium, in Nea Filadelfeia, from where its hardcore fans watched the team's games. From 1982, when a second stand molding was constructed on the opposite door doors of Gate 21 (9–11) and after it was split from Gate 21, the "seat" of the Original 21 was moved to those doors, henceforth known as "Skepasti". The name of Original 21 comes from the translation of "Genuine Gate 21".

After the demolition of the historic stadium of AEK in 2003, and the use of the Olympic Stadium of Athens, the association has made its "headquarters" one of the two horses, that at Gates 1–35, just opposite the other Horseshoe of the stadium, at gate 21. It has a total of 60 sub-links in various parts of the world, in Greece, Cyprus, London and two important Greek communities in Australia, Sydney and Melbourne. The "central" club and headquarters of the organization is the so-called "Domatiaki" in the Square of the Argentine Republic, in the area of Alexandras Avenue, near the Panathinaikos stadium.

Today

A historic moment in the course of the organization was the departure of its natural leader, Dimitris Hatzichristos, who left its ranks with the relegation of AEK FC. Since then, Original 21 has not had a person who can be described as the leader of the organization.

Friendships
AEK fans lifting a Commando Ultras 1984 banner

A so-called "triangle of brotherhood" has developed between the largest left-wing fan clubs of AEK, Marseille and Livorno.[1][2] The connection is mostly an ideological one.[3][4] Also, AEK's and St. Pauli's left-wing fans, have a strong friendship and their connection is mostly for ideological reasons.[5]

See also

References
  1. "Original 21 and Commando Ultra '84 friendship" (in Greek). aek365.com.
  2. "Livorno shoots yellow-black jersey due to AEK" (in Greek). sport-fm.gr.
  3. http://oneloveaek.blogspot.gr/2013/06/aek-marseille-freres-pour-toujours.html?m=1
  4. http://www.aek-live.gr/γιόρτασε-11-χρόνια-αδελφοποίησης-η-original-στ/
  5. http://www.aek-live.gr/οι-οπαδοί-της-σαν-πάουλι-με-σημαία-της-α/
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