The Gate 13 is the name of the supporters’ association in Greece, which consists of many groups supporting the multi-sport club Panathinaikos AC. Officially founded on November 19, 1966, Gate 13 is the oldest fan club in Greece. Gate 13 has members from all over Greece and over the years has become part of the club, influencing the club’s decisions and following the club in all possible circumstances.
Before the establishment of Gate 13, there were various football supporter clubs across Greece. The first of these clubs was founded in October 1952 and was named S.F.O.P. (Supporters’ Club of Panathinaikos) and remained active for an unknown period. By the late 1950s, fans began to organize regarding support for home and away games. They started attending matches regularly and always met at gate 13 of Apostolos Nikolaidis Stadium. Gate 13 was also a place for the poorer fans and supporters of the team, with seats not being numbered, unlike the rest of the stadium and VIP seats.
To organize trips for away games and other events, various fan clubs used to write in the two newspapers read most by Panathinaikos fans at that time, Athlitiki Echo and Panathinaika Nea.
To organize trips for away games and other events, various fan clubs used to write in the two newspapers read most by Panathinaikos fans at that time, Athlitiki Echo and Panathinaika Nea.
Until 1966, there were various supporter clubs, all named after the area where they were located. Notable clubs included Ampelokipi, Zografou, Patissia, Gyzi, Petralona, Cholargos, Peristeri, Nikaia-Korydallos, Patra, and many others, most of which are still active today. Despite the lack of a unified name, the clubs would often meet to discuss various matters such as team performance and management, various trips for away games, and securing tickets for home games. From 1962-63, there were thoughts of founding a unified club under the name of the stadium gate where the most dedicated fans of the team met, but at that time, there were many difficulties. Gradually, the name Gate 13 began to be recognized and respected by players and fans.
In 1966, after much effort, the Association of Friends of Panathinaikos Athletic Club “Gate 13” operated for the first time on November 19, 1966, at 68 Kolonou Street in Athens. At that time, it was a club like all the others, but the difference was that its name would become a significant part of Panathinaikos’ history. On November 27, 1966, just a few days after the founding of Gate 13, a bus carrying Panathinaikos fans from Athens to Veria crashed, resulting in the death of two club fans, Georgios Koskoros and Dimitris Sarantakos, who was one of the founding members of Gate 13.
In 1967, Panathinaikos fan clubs increased in number in Athens and the rest of Greece. In 1967, the military dictatorship established and shut down many of these clubs. The same happened with Gate 13, only to reopen in 1968 with new offices at 39 Sokratous Street, in the center of Athens. Many other fan clubs followed suit shortly after. At that time, the situation in Greek stadiums was very calm, with disturbances occurring only occasionally.
In the following years, Gate 13 expanded, and flags with its name and logos began to appear in European stadiums, as well as in Greek ones, while the Leoforos Stadium overflowed with people in the vast majority of matches.
Additionally, interest in basketball was increasing among Panathinaikos fans. Moreover, Gate 13 would also attend activities unrelated to sports, such as team elections. At the same time, they often expressed their views on various issues they believed negatively affected the club, such as ticket prices, etc.
Additionally, interest in basketball was increasing among Panathinaikos fans. Moreover, Gate 13 would also attend activities unrelated to sports, such as team elections. At the same time, they often expressed their views on various issues they believed negatively affected the club, such as ticket prices, etc.
1971 was a significant year in Panathinaikos’ history. The football team reached the final of the 1971 European Cup and remains the only Greek football team to have ever reached the final of a major European competition. Due to this success, Panathinaikos fans increased in numbers throughout Greece. Gate 13 was present at all the team’s games in the Champions League with unforgettable trips. 15,000 fans went to Belgrade to see Panathinaikos against the then very strong Red Star, while 20,000 traveled to Wembley Stadium in London for the final against Ajax. Following the success of Panathinaikos football team in European competitions, the operation of some supporter clubs restarted, while other fans decided to establish their own clubs. Some of the most famous new clubs were in Nikaia and Vyronas in 1972. Immediately after its founding, the club would participate in many away games with its leaders and often criticized the management and owners of Panathinaikos. By 1974, most supporter clubs had their own leaders and would be present at all away games.
After the fall of the military dictatorship (1967-1974), clubs began to reappear throughout Greece. By 1978, there were 52 Panathinaikos supporter clubs operating throughout Greece, while Olympiacos’ opponents had only a few clubs in operation. In 1976, during the event for the 10th anniversary of Gate 13, Panathinaikos fans honored the fans who had died by observing a minute’s silence in their memory. Gate 13 remains to this day the most dynamic part of the stadium, with many flags and banners that give color and character to the stands.
After the fall of the military dictatorship (1967-1974), clubs began to reappear throughout Greece. By 1978, there were 52 Panathinaikos supporter clubs operating throughout Greece, while Olympiacos’ opponents had only a few clubs in operation. In 1976, during the event for the 10th anniversary of Gate 13, Panathinaikos fans honored the fans who had died by observing a minute’s silence in their memory. Gate 13 remains to this day the most dynamic part of the stadium, with many flags and banners that give color and character to the stands.
Gate 13 has a very strong twinning relationship with the fans of Rapid Vienna, the Ultras Rapid, since 2001, when Panathinaikos played against Sturm Graz for the 2000-01 Champions League. Since then, there have been many actions to promote this twinning, such as flags from one group displayed in the stands of the other. In June 2016, the Ultras Rapid were present at the 50th anniversary of Gate 13 in Athens.
Apart from the twinning with Ultras Rapid Wien, the closest relationships they share are with the Bad Blue Boys of Dinamo Zagreb and the Curva Sud (Fedayn) of AS Roma.
Over the years, Gate 13 or its factions have had friendships with supporter groups from Real Madrid (Orgullo Vikingo), mainly during the 1990s, Ajax (F-SIDE Amsterdam), Ferencváros, Hammarby, Saint-Étienne, Groiter Fuerth, Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic, Sporting Lisbon, River Plate, Anadolu Efes, and Monaco. Additionally, close ties with Shamrock Rovers (SRFC Ultras) began when some members of Gate 13 traveled to Ireland in 2017 to support Shamrock away at Dalymount Park.
Over the years, Gate 13 or its factions have had friendships with supporter groups from Real Madrid (Orgullo Vikingo), mainly during the 1990s, Ajax (F-SIDE Amsterdam), Ferencváros, Hammarby, Saint-Étienne, Groiter Fuerth, Tottenham Hotspur, Celtic, Sporting Lisbon, River Plate, Anadolu Efes, and Monaco. Additionally, close ties with Shamrock Rovers (SRFC Ultras) began when some members of Gate 13 traveled to Ireland in 2017 to support Shamrock away at Dalymount Park.