Kyrenia - 1953
On the evening of 10 October 1953 at the SAGK club house on Eleftherias Street, Kyrenia’s first football club and the precursor to PAEEK FC, PAEK (Football and Sport Union of Kyrenia) was formed. Among the founding members were Andreas Katsellis, who became the club’s first president, and Frixos Vrachas who drafted the club’s constitution. According to the club’s constitution, all Cypriots irregardless of religious denomination and political beliefs were allowed to join the club. The double-headed eagle was chosen as the club’s emblem, black and yellow were selected to be the club’s original colours. PAEK was also a founding member of the Cyprus Basketball Association in 1966, winning three consecutive championships from 1971 to 1973, participating in 5 cup finals and qualifying for the FIBA Saporta Cup in 1995.
PAEK’s inaugural football match was played at its newly built home stadium, GS Praxandros, versus APOEL Nicosia in November 1953.
November 1953 - First match in PAEK history vs APOEL Nicosia
October 1954 - First league match in PAEK history vs Kesli Kucuk
Nicosia - 1974
Due to the Turkish Invasion of 1974, the club was forced to relocate to Nicosia. PAEK and AEK Karava (another displaced club from Karavas, a small town of Kyrenia District) participated in the Championship as a joint team under the name PAEK/AEK. In March 1977 the two clubs were unified and PAEEK FC (Football and Sports Union of Kyrenia District) was formed. The decision was made that PAEEK FC would switch from black and yellow to black and white, with the black colour symbolizing the sadness from the Turkish Invasion and white symbolizing the hope that we will return to our hometown of Kyrenia. When the club returns to Kyrenia the club will revert to its original colours.