Paul Afkos

Paul Afkos OAM is an Australian businessman of Greek background, former football (soccer) administrator and political aspirant. He is father of former footballer James Afkos. He was born in Nestorio, Greece before migrating to Perth, Western Australia.

Football (soccer)

Perth Glory

Afkos is most famous in Perth for being a co-owner of football (soccer) team Perth Glory until 2002. ^[1]

In 2006 a bid was made by Afkos and a number of associates to buy out the 75% share of Perth Glory owned by Nick Tana. It was reported that the amount offered was A$1m. ^[2]

NSL bid

In 2000 Afkos (while still a shareholder in Perth Glory) as president of the Soccer Administration of Western Australia was a backer of an unsuccessful Soccer West Coast bid for a second Perth team in the National Soccer League. Other backers included prominent Perth businessmen David Schrandt – then-president of Soccer West Coast – and Len Buckeridge. ^[3]

Soccer Australia

He later became a board member of Soccer Australia. He was part of what became known as the rump board, members who refused to be replaced prior to the takeover of Frank Lowy in 2003. ^{[4] [5] [6] [7]}

Politics

Afkos in 2003 was endorsed as Liberal Party candidate for the electorate of Stirling. He was praised by then-Prime Minister John Howard as he launched his campaign: "He has been in every sense a wonderful citizen of this country and I'm proud to have him as the Liberal Party candidate."

In early 2004 allegations involving Afkos' connections with a convicted drug dealer emerged leading to his resigning of his candidacy in early 2004. The drug dealer, Constantinos Papakostas, was caught by police selling speed in a car owned by Afkos. It was also alleged that Afkos had lent him money. Papacostas was subsequently sentenced to eight years in prison. ^{[8] [9] [10] [11]}

Civic activities

Afkos as of 2008 is chair of business group Business Improvement Group of Northbridge (BIG-N). Afkos has been actively involved with making the Northbridge area safer including support for a plan to introduce metal detectors in licensed venues. Afkos is a former president of the Hellenic Community of Western Australia. ^{[12] [13] [14]}

Afkos Industries

Afkos is managing director of design and engineering company Afkos Industries who specialise in working in the resources sector. ^[15]

References

1. "Afkos leads $1m bid to recapture Glory days". The West Australian. 2 January 2006.
2. "New group has eye on embattled Glory". The West Australian. 9 January 2006.
3. "NSL LICENCE EXPOSÉ". footballwa.net. Archived from the original on 21 November 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
4. "Actions of Australia's defiant soccer trio criminal: fed chief Crawford". Soccerway. 5 June 2003. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
5. "SBS waiting on sideline to substitute Seven". The Sydney Morning Herald . 23 October 2002. Archived from the original on 22 February 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
6. "Four Corners transcript". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 27 November 2002. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
7. "Glory boss begs 'troglodytes' to cave in". The Sydney Morning Herald. 3 June 2003. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
8. "Candidate quits over alleged drug dealer links". The Age . Melbourne. 2 February 2004. Archived from the original on 11 May 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
9. "Disendorsed Liberal candidate denies drug links". Melbourne: ABC Online. 15 February 2004. Archived from the original on 11 May 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
10. "MPs hoping to regain momentum". The Sydney Morning Herald. 15 February 2004. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
11. "Eight years for drug dealer with Afkos link". The West Australian. 8 August 2005.
12. "Support for nightclub metal detectors". Guardian Express. 7 October 2008. Archived from the original on 8 January 2009. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
13. "Northbridge develops a new vibe". WA Business News. 27 March 2008. Archived from the original on 25 July 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
14. "Northbridge Alive website". Archived from the original on 27 September 2008. Retrieved 17 October 2008.
15. "Afkos Industries website" . Retrieved 17 October 2008.