Photo: Chris Syrginis (left) and son, George [PlessPix]
The
death occurred in Hobart recently of Christos Syrginis, who was one of the
finest players of his generation in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Syrginis,
who was aged 83, migrated to Australia from Greece in the 1950s and first played for Hobart's Austrian-backed club, Rapid, in the late
1950s.
He
joined local Greek-backed club Olympia when they were formed in 1960.
Syrginis
could play in defence or attack and was renowned for his technical abilities as
well as his physical qualities.
Photo: The Rapid side of 1958 with Chris Syrginis (third from left in back row).
I
first saw him play for Rapid in 1958 at South Hobart and he was impressive,
especially to a boy aged nine.
I
recall an incident that season at the canteen end of the ground when he was
playing centre-half for Rapid.
He
lost a boot in a tackle but won the ball and kept his cool. To buy time, he juggled the ball with his stockinged
foot and then volleyed it with that foot over the canteen to concede a corner.
The
crowd just loved this flamboyant showmanship and example of skill and ball
control, as well as the unflustered nature of the player.
While
the ball was being retrieved, Syrginis put his boot back on and took up position
to face the corner.
Syrginis
once owned the Carlton Café at the corner of Argyle and Liverpool Streets and
whenever I had a meal there, sometimes served by Chris, I felt honoured to be
in his company.
Photo: Chris Syrginis (right) at the Rapid reunion in 2008 [PlessPix]
He
attended the Rapid reunion in 2008 and was also present at Olympia’s 50th
anniversary celebrations in 2010.
Syrginis
in more recent times owned a tobacconist shop in Argyle Street.
His
funeral was held last Tuesday at St George’s Greek Orthodox Church in Sandy
Bay.
He
is survived by his wife Roula and children Teresa, George and Ulga.
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