We met up recently with UK Cypriot footballer Harrison Panayiotou who plays for Aldershot FC to tell us his story Panayiotou was born in Leicester, to a Greek Cypriot father, Andreas, who was involved in youth football, and a Kittian mother. He started his career at the youth academy of local club Leicester City, alongside subsequent first-team teammates Andy King, Jeffrey Schlupp, Liam Moore, Tom Parkes and Cian Bolger. His performances for the under-18 side earned him the Fans’ Academy Player of the Year award for the 2011–12 season. He was part of the youth squad which won the HKFC Soccer Sevens cup in May 2013, where he scored five goals, including one in the 2–0 win over Newcastle United in the final; he was subsequently named Player of the Tournament.

After impressing in games for Leicester City Under-21 he was named as the under-21 Premier League Player of the Month for March. On 18 May 2015, Panayiotou was named Leicester City Under-21 Player of the Year, reward for an impressive season including scoring 11 goals in his last 13 games. He made his senior debut for the “Foxes” against Leeds United on the final day of the 2011–12 season at Elland Road; he replaced Lloyd Dyer in the 73rd minute and scored the winning goal in added time. He signed his first professional contract in September 2012, and in July 2014 he extended it by a further two years. On 20 October 2014, Panayioutou joined League One side Port Vale on a one-month loan.
Aittitos Spata[edit]

In January 2019, Panayiotou signed for Greek Football League side Aittitos Spata. The “Invincible” were relegated at the end of the 2018–19 season after being expelled for financial problems.[27]
On 12 July 2019, Panayiotou joined National League side Aldershot Town after a successful trial spell. He scored four goals in 30 appearances for the “Shots” in the 2019–20 season, which was permanently suspended on 26 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic in England, with Aldershot in 16th-place.He scored 12 goals from 37 appearances in the 2020–21 season.

Harrison had the choice to play for three countries England, Cyprus and St Kitts and the only country that showed interest was St Kitts. On 8 October 2014, Panayiotou scored on his debut for Saint Kitts and Nevis in their Caribbean Cup qualifying defeat to Barbados at Stade Sylvio Cator in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.On 26 March 2015, he scored a hat-trick beginning with a penalty in the second leg of a World Cup first qualifying round tie against the Turks and Caicos Islands at the TCIFA National Academy in Providenciales; Saint Kitts and Nevis won the match 6–2 for a 12–4 aggregate victory. On 26 March 2016, he scored in a 2–0 win over Aruba which secured passage into the Second Round of qualification for the 2017 Caribbean Cup.He is currently in their squad for their forthcoming games.

He said his second home is Cyprus where his father was born and his Grandfather lives in Larnaca he tries to go every Summer. He speaks Greek he went to Greek School from an early age in Leicester.

Although born and brought up in Leicester his family lived in Tottenham before moving to Leicester. Harrison has a large family in Tottenham and Cyprus.

I brought up the point at Aldershot game with Barnet if he noticed the Cypriot flag on display. He replied most definitely in fact it inspired me through the game.He also mentioned that he was not aware before the game that the Chairman of Barnet was a UK Cypriot Tony KLeanthous.

You said Thierry Henry was your idol would you compare yourself to him

“I wouldn’t say that I likened myself to him. I believe that he was the one that made me want to kick a ball in the first place.

“He made me fall in love with football. I used to watch him play and think that he was unreal with the ball at his feet. I aspire to play as well as him one day.”

What was it like playing in Greece ?

“It is definitely more physical. There are a lot of bookings in Greek football.

“I think it is more technical as well. They like to play out from the back and build from the defence to create a chance up top.

Was it hard to adjust to life in Greece

“It wasn’t because I’m half-Cypriot . The Greek culture is similar anyway so it wasn’t too hard to adjust.“Having a part of you from a Greek speaking country helps a lot. I knew what to expect and I just got on with it.”

You can hear the full interview at cypriotwhoswho facebook

Entrants are now being invited for the new Cypriot Whos Who
For further information please visit cypriotsworldwide.com