Chris Theodoridis, in a way, was always ‘destined’ to play for Heidelberg United FC.
The 33-year-old is a goalkeeper for the historical Greek team also known as ‘Alexander the Great’ and his lineage with the team goes all the way back to his grandparents.
“The funny thing is in where the coaches area is in the club rooms, there’s a photo in there and my dad showed me this photo before, but at his house. I saw it in the coaches room and I was completely taken aback because it’s got my grandfather as the coach of the under nines at Heidelberg and he’s coaching George Katsakis who’s my coach and he’s next to my dad. So that was a bit of a wow moment,” Theodoridis tells Neos Kosmos.
“My dad’s dad was a coach and my mum’s dad was a huge supporter coming from Greece.”
Football might very well be part of Theodoridis’ DNA, but you can’t discount that a strong sense of determination and persistence is too. For this, he credits his mother.
“She came from a sporting background as well. She was always a straight shooter with high performances so I knew where I stood with that…She was a runner, I think she was also a goalkeeper at Heidelberg at one point,” he said.
The seasoned goalkeeper shares his colourful history on the field and chats influencing the game from the posts.
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What drew you to football?
My grandfather was a Heidelberg supporter, it probably all started from there. My mother gave me an ultimatum really, she’s like ‘it’s either AFL or soccer’ and I chose soccer.
It’s game day, what do you do to get in the zone before the match?
I’m pretty relaxed before a match. I’ve played for many years now. I’m just quite relaxed to be honest, I don’t overthink things. All the preparation is done during the week so you should know what’s required. It’s just about concentrating, especially at the age I’m at and having played so many games it’s mainly concentration and knowing what you have to do at the end of the day.
Top 3 training songs?
I don’t listen to songs, I listen to podcasts like Joe Rogan, interviews or I listen to comedy or crime podcasts. That’s on the way to games, not in the change rooms. I’m not the DJ in the change rooms so the boys just play whatever they play, but if it was up to me I’d be playing 80s music all day long.
What do you find most challenging about the game?
The most challenging I suppose is maybe now at my age it could be the physical aspect of it in terms of training. I think the challenge for me would be playing well for myself and my team mates and trying to get a result, as much as I can influence it as a goalkeeper.
I can’t take on three or four players and score a goal to influence the game, I just have to do my best in between the sticks and that’s the way I can influence it. That’s the biggest challenge for me, trying to I suppose, impose myself to give the team a positive result.
What has been a highlight in your sporting career thus far?
There’s a few. Obviously playing for Australia at the Joeys level, representing the under 17s. I went into NPL championships, Dockerty Cup, played in the NPL finals and winning that a few years ago. Probably the last four years at Heidelberg as a whole has been a massive achievement. Also winning State League 2, State League 1 VPL championship with Northcote as well.
So there’s been quite a bit, they’ve all had their own special memories. They’re all different, even though it’s a championship win they’re all different because they all happened at different times. Each championship win for me has been a massive highlight in my career.
How has football impacted your life?
Well positively obviously, the friendships that you’ve created, the discipline that’s instilled in you and an outlet in life as well. It’s given me countless opportunities that I never would have ever imagined.
What is something you learned about yourself through playing the game?
How much I can push myself. I think you don’t know how far you can actually push yourself until you’ve been thrown in. I’m sure a lot of players would feel the same, in saying that, yes you expect how hard you can push when you’re completely under fatigue. It’s pretty amazing to be honest, especially when you don’t think you have anything left, especially at training in pre-season where all the hard stuff is done. It’s amazing how hard you can push yourself.
A lot of the supporters don’t see what happens in the pre-season in the weeks leading up to the games. they come to the games and don’t see everything in between. And it’s all that conditioning that gets you ready for those games. It’s all hard work and you do need that training otherwise you’ll break down.
What do you hope to achieve in the next year?
Well to win another championship would be nice, or another Cup, any piece of silverware would be nice. Even making the FFA Cup again would be also a goal and staying injury free.
What’s something someone might be surprised to learn about you?
I’m pretty ‘what you see, is what you get’, but I can juggle three balls learnt that during lockdown. I also learnt to speak five languages actually, that’s probably one. I’ve got Greek, English, Spanish, Italian and a bit of French.
Favourite way to unwind after a game?
Just spending it with my family, with my wife and my child. Any time I get free, I like to spend my time with them.
What are you most looking forward to in 2021?
Just enjoying my football and my family and hopefully a COVID free year, that’s about it really. Just the simple things in life and not taking things for granted.
What is something you want to be remembered by?
Just someone that was hardworking and loyal and eccentric. I am eccentric on the field, never a boring or dull moment my coach would say.