Former Bridgetown footballer George Giannakis has been inducted into the East Perth Football Club Hall of Fame.
Giannakis joined Augusta-Margaret River product Peter Miller and the late 1950s hero Paul Seal in being recognised by the Royals during a function at Leederville Oval on Thursday, September 14.
Following in his brother Vic’s footballing footsteps, Giannakis joined the Royals from Manjimup Imperials in time to make his league debut in 1985.
He played 153 games and kicked 25 goals for the club, finishing at Perth Oval in 1993. Giannakis won the club’s best & fairest award in 1987 and 1989.
In accepting the honour, Giannakis told those at the function that he had been a lifelong East Perth supporter.
He had always dreamt of wearing the black-and-blue and had idolised the likes of Peter Spencer in his youth, the highlight of which was East Perth’s 1978 grand final victory.
Giannakis said he had fond memories of travelling to Perth with his Manjimup team mates to play little league for East Perth, but it seemed like a long trip for 10 minutes of playing time.