George Vardinogiannis has died aged 90. The ‘Captain’ served for many years as president of Panathinaikos FC, from 1979, when the Greek First Division became a professional league.
He was born on 7 April 1936 in Episkopi, Rethymno. He was the son of Yannis Vardinogiannis and Chrysi Theodoroulaki, and one of 10 children in the family. His brother was business magnate Vardis Vardinogiannis, who died aged 91 in November 2024.
He pursued a career in merchant shipping and studied at a school for merchant navy officers in Southampton, England. He rose to the rank of captain before founding the family’s shipping and oil business with his brothers. His career at sea also gave him the nickname ‘Captain’, by which he became widely known.
He also played an active role in Greek shipping bodies, serving two terms on the board of the Union of Greek Shipowners.
Panathinaikos president (1979–2000)
On 17 July 1979, the Vardinogiannis family acquired a majority stake in Panathinaikos FC, and he took over as president. Pavlos Giannakopoulos had also shown an interest in the club, but it ultimately went to the Vardinogiannis family. As well as ‘Captain’, he was nicknamed ‘Ringo’.
During his tenure, the team won six league titles, nine Greek Cups and three Greek Super Cups, and reached the semi-finals of European competitions twice (the European Cup in 1985 and the Champions League in 1996).
In the 1980s, he made major, high-profile signings. In December 1989, he brought in Krzysztof Warzycha, who went on to become the club’s all-time leading scorer with 244 goals. Among those who played for his team were Apostolakis and Borelli, and he worked with coaches including Jacek Gmoch and Ivica Osim. His relationship with Panathinaikos fans went through many different phases. In May 2000, after 21 years, he stepped down as head of the team.
Family
He was married to Agapi Politi and had three children: Pavlos, Nikos and Chrysi, the wife of Prince Nikolaos.
Later years
He kept a very low profile. His final public appearance was in June 2026, when he made a surprise appearance in Stavros Theodorakis’s documentary about the Leoforos stadium, discussing his presidency and describing himself as a passionate president who never stopped being a fan.