The three giants who have not dropped

A recent publication on the history of the Greek first division details how three Super League sides have never faced relegation.

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Recently, the Greek Super League came out with a tribute publication as part of its 60th anniversary. The collector’s book details much of Greece’s domestic football history (information about the book or ordering can be made by sending an email to social@slgr.gr).

Recently, the Greek Super League came out with a tribute publication as part of its 60th anniversary. The collector’s book details much of Greece’s domestic football history (information about the book or ordering can be made by sending an email to social@slgr.gr).

One section of this book covers the teams that have never been relegated. Since the top division began play as the A’ Ethniki 60 years ago, only three sides have avoided the drop down to the second division. These are Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, and PAOK, all three of whom have been ever-present in the top-flight.

AEK were the last of the original sides of those that began their journey in the first division of Greek football to be relegated as they went down in 2013. The publication offers other interesting details of some other sides.

Iraklis have faced relegation on three occasions, however, on all those, it was due to off-the-pitch matters such as economic problems than ever facing the drop because of finishing in the bottom two or three. 

Xanthi have never been relegated since coming up to the first division 30 years ago, though they survived a relegation playoff once against Olympiacos Volos. 

Asteras Tripolis came up much later, in 2011, but they have not been relegated since, though they were supposed to go down one season only for Iraklis to take their place due to financial issues. 

Chalkidona were another side that never went down, though they eventually were joined and became part of Atromitos. 

Finally, Lamia, a recent arrival of the Super League for the last two seasons, is another club that have managed to remain in the highest division, but the time they have avoided relegation is obviously very short.

Image Source: sport24.gr

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