Spyros Ikonomopoulos

Club career Ikonomopoulos started his football career from the amateur club of his hometown, AO Akratas. On 29 July 1977, the 18-year-old, goalkeaper was signed by the youth team of AEK Athens. He made his debut with the men's team on 26 December 1977, against Ethnikos Piraeus at home, in a match where the professional footballers went on a strike which resulted in the clubs competing with amateur footballers.

Ikonomopoulos was eventually promoted to the men's team, where he played until the end of his career. During his first seasons at the club, he had the "misfortune" to coexist with great goalkeepers, such as Nikos Christidis, Lakis Stergioudas, Christos Arvanitis and Theologis Papadopoulos, so the competition for the spot was particularly tough. Thus, he spent his first years mainly as a back up choice. However, in 1988, under Dušan Bajević, Ikonomopoulos became the main goalkeeper and played in all of the matches of the season. During that season, he saved three penalties and effectively gave AEK their first league title in 10 years. At that time the fans gave him the nickname "Mr. Championship 1989". On 30 August 1989 he played at the 1989 Greek Super Cup, where AEK won against Panathinaikos by 6–5 on penalty shoot-out. However, in the start of the following season, he made some unfortunate performances that led to his gradual decommissioning, which resulted in him losing his position under the posts by Antonis Minou. In the summer of 1992, with the arrival of Ilias Atmatsidis, his career at AEK was essentially over. He made his last appearance with the yellow-blacks on 29 December 1993 in a Cup game against Asteras Ambelokipoi. He remained part as a part of the squad without making a single appearance, winning three consecutive championships and a Cup in 1996. In the summer of 1996 he officially retired, at the age of 37.

International career Ikonomopoulos played a total of 12 times with Greece, between 1984 and 1989. His debut took place on 12 September 1984 in an away friendly against East Germany, when under Miltos Papapostolou, the manager who had also established him at AEK, replaced Georgios Plitsis at half-time.

After football After the end of his football career, he returned to Akrata, where he developed a business activity. At some point, the AEK administration announced its decision to hold a friendly match in his honor, but it never materialized.

Career statistics

Club

Honours

AEK Athens Alpha Ethniki: 1977–78, 1978–79, 1988–89, 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 Greek Cup: 1982–83, 1995–96 Greek Super Cup: 1989 Greek League Cup: 1990

Individual Best Greek Player of the Season: 1988–89