On 26 March 1931, near the railway station in Tripoli, Asteras Tripolis was founded. On 26 March 2027 it turns 96. It is the story of a small club from Arcadia that started out on local pitches and made it all the way to the Europa League group stage.

The "team of the trains"

Asteras was born next to the town's railway station, which is why, as UEFA notes, it was called the "team of the trains". The early years were hard, as the club was inactive for quite some time. It was revived in 1938, when players from the local club Keramikos moved over to it.

The name needs little explanation: Asteras means star, and a star has sat at the top of the crest since day one. There is, however, a small disagreement about the year, as UEFA gives 1930. The club and most sources say 1931, which is also the year shown on its crest.

Years in Arcadia

In the early 1960s Asteras became the first Tripoli team to play in the Greek Second Division, for two seasons. In 1963 it merged with Aris-Atromitos to form AOT, which was dissolved in 1968.

For decades it remained a strong amateur side in Arcadia, with eight titles and three cups of the local association. The "Arkades", as they are known, waited patiently for their big chance.

Yellow and blue

Asteras are the yellow and blues of Tripoli. Sources do not record who chose the colours or why, but the original crest was already blue, yellow and white. Thanks to the shared colours, fans have linked the team with Boca Juniors, which suited the many Argentinians who wore the shirt.

In 2020, for the club's 90th year and the 200th anniversary of the Greek Revolution, a new crest arrived. Inside a shield it shows the statue of Theodoros Kolokotronis from Tripoli's central square, with the star on top and the Latin phrase "ET IN ARCADIA EGO". According to the club, blue stands for trust, yellow for energy and ambition, and white for hope.

One of its most special shirts was the 2021 anniversary kit for 200 years since 1821, presented together with APOEL. It was blue with a white cross, showing the blessing of the revolutionary banner at Agia Lavra on the front and "ELEFTHERIA I THANATOS" ("Freedom or Death") on the back.

The great rise

From 2003 onwards Asteras climbed division after division, and on 12 May 2007 it celebrated promotion to the Super League. In its first season there it beat Olympiacos, Panathinaikos, AEK and PAOK. Since 2012 its stadium, built in 1979, has borne the name Theodoros Kolokotronis.

In 2013 it reached the Greek Cup final, losing 3-1 to Olympiacos after extra time. In 2014 it knocked out Mainz and Maccabi Tel Aviv and reached the Europa League group stage, facing Tottenham, Beşiktaş and Partizan.

The protagonists

Many Argentinians have shone in the Asteras shirt. Jerónimo Barrales is the all-time top scorer with 59 goals, while Juan Munafo holds the appearance record. Pablo Mazza and the Spanish captain Fernando Usero also left their mark.

Celebrate with us

96 years after the Tripoli railway station, Asteras is the pride of Arcadia. Its yellow and blue shirt is a reminder that even a small town can look up high, like the star on its crest.

Happy birthday, Asteras! Here's to even more joy in the year ahead.

See our collectible jerseys at sportarena.gr.

Photo: the Theodoros Kolokotronis Stadium in Tripoli – Apostolos Papageorgiou, Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.