Peter Sarikakis has coached Hurstville City Minotaurs for 30 years and has vowed to continue his service for the game.
Few people can claim to have played competitive football for 37 years; even less to coaching for an additional 30 and fewer still responsible for the naming and harvesting of an entire club throughout a single career. One man however, Peter Sarikakis or the General as he is widely known, can claim just that.
The 55-year-old, who began coaching Hurstville City Minotaurs in 1985 (formely known as Sydney Cretans), is considered the longest serving coach in NSW.
He began his professional campaign at the tender age of 15 for Thiella Enmore where he quickly became known for his passion and leadership on and off the field - a trait which has followed him throughout his illustrious coaching career.
His extraordinary leadership saw him play in Canterbury Marickville (current West Sydney Berries) in the 1970s before moving to Newtown Makedonikos which he captained for ten years, finishing up as player coach.
In 1985, he became Hurstville City Minotaurs’ player coach before undertaking the same responsibilities with Grays Point in Sutherland (Telechoice Premier League equivalent) three years later. Juggling both positions at the same time, the General sealed a “Champions of Champions” victory for the Shire outfit in the single season he was there. “I wanted to take Grays Point to the highest level possible,” said Sarikakis.
“However, when the players opted to continue playing in their current division I knew I had to put all my energy towards the Minotaurs. “I have to always be growing and pushing my team forward and I know I can do that with the Minotaurs,” added Sarikakis.
The General was actually responsible for the name “Hurstville City Minotaurs”, which was originally known as the Sydney Cretans up until 1990. Since the NSW Football Association prohibited the use of ethnic names within club titles, Sarikakis adopted “Minotaurs” from the Greek mythology which translates to; half man half bull, in order to keep the Greek tradition alive within the club.
“Sydney Cretans started as a small Greek youth club which became larger every year,” said Sarikakis. “It was vital that the club and its players remember their Greek and Cretan heritage.”
Peter Sarikakis has coached Hurstville City Minotaurs for 30 years and has vowed to continue his service for the game
Hurstville City Minotaurs currently play in the NSW State League Two competition and have a long history with current Telechoice Premier League outfit, Sydney Olympic. Stars such as 1998’s NSL Player of the Year Krezimir Marusic, Socceroos and Sydney United legend Mark Babic as well as Olyroos and Sydney Olympic midfielder Peter Tsekenis have played under Sarikakis at the Minotaurs at one time or another. “We [Hurstville City Minotaurs] would give Sydney Olympic players the chance to play when they were coming back from injury for example,” added Sarikakis. “We were in a sense like a feeder club for to them.”
Sarikakis’ biggest achievement came in 1997 when he overcame media pressure, taking the Minatours to victory in both the Reserve and First Grade, boasting the league’s top goal-scorer and Player of the Year. That season, against public opinion, Sarikakis brought in four “bad boys” of football at the time: George Kalogeras, Louie Dounis, Peter Papoythis and Tom Pontidas. All four were NSL players and it was Sarikakis’s coaching reputation which allowed the big names to flock to the Hurstville amateur club. “The media gave me grief when I signed these players and said it would not be a good move,” said the General. “I refused to believe them, knowing that these players were valuable to the team and capable of fitting into the Minotaurs. I made a point to make them my friends, earn their respect and bring the team together. It wasn’t long before all four were eating out of my hand and with long standing former Lemnos All Star captain Sam Panagakis helping us, it was not difficult to build a champion team,” laughed the General.
In 1994, Sarikakis pioneered the Minotaurs to the last 8 of the Waratah Cup, known as the Tiger Turf Cup today, where they held the mighty Sydney Olympic to a 0-0 scoreline for 90 minutes. Although extra time saw a seven goal showcase with 5-2 the final score in Olympic’s favour, the match sent shockwaves across the nation. “No one could believe that this small division 2 team [Minotaurs] held a strong NSL team to a scoreless game,” said the General.
The veteran coach - who has never received a red card or payment as player or coach throughout his whole career - insists that “everything in life especially discipline” can relate back to football. He emphasises his coaching passion stems from wanting to help kids stay off the streets. “When times have been tough, I always refer back to football for guidance,” said Sarikakis in a serious tone. “My biggest reward in football is not winning championships, but being able to help kids stay on the right track and away from drugs and other troubles.”
For a man who has seen and done it all when it comes to football in NSW, the veteran boss has no intention on finishing up until he finally runs out of breath, literally. “I plan on coaching until there is no more air inside my lungs,” said Sarikakis. “As long as I can be helping kids and teaching my players, I will continue coaching.”
General, Football NSW salutes you.
By Caetano Lima – FNSW Reporter
(from FNSW website 12.06.2009)