Peter Skouras
 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (April 2012) |
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Peter N. Skouras | ||
| Date of birth | March 21, 1963 | ||
| Place of birth |
New York, New York, United States | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1978–1980 | Brighton & Hove Albion Apprentice Professional | ||
| 1978 | United States Youth National Team U-15 Selection | ||
| 1980 | United States Youth National Team U-20 Selection | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1980 | California Sunshine | ||
| 1980–1984 |
San Diego Sockers (NASL) | 71 | (8) |
| 1984–1985 | Olympiacos | 2 | |
| 1986 | San Jose Earthquakes | 8 | |
| 1986–1987 | PAOK | 2 | |
| 1987–1988 |
Diagoras | 10 | |
| 1988–1989 | Panserraikos | 13 | |
| 1990 | Los Angeles Heat | 4 | |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1994 | Buffalo Blizzard | ||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Peter N. Skouras (born March 21, 1963) is a retired
Skouras' professional career in Europe began with the opportunity and exposure provided by the United States Soccer Federation's Youth National Team programs which began in England as a youth professional with Brighton & Hove Albion of the English First Division. Skouras played professionally in both the United States and Greece for over ten seasons.
Player
In 1978, Skouras was selected by the United States Soccer Federation to participate in the prestigious Montigue, France International (U-15) youth tournament. Coached by Bill Muse and Lothar Osiander and captained by Skouras, the US played two scoreless games against Romania and Portugal before losing 5–0 to France and 1–0 to West Germany.
Upon his return to the United States, Skouras was identified by English 1st Division Club Brighton & Hove Albion, who were on tour in the United States. Brighton manager Alan Mullery offered Skouras a three-month trial at Brighton. After signing "apprentice forms" and spending one season with Brighton & Hove Albion's apprentice professional ranks, Skouras' work permit application was denied by the U.K. Home Office.
Peter Skouras returned to the United States and turned professional at the age of sixteen with the
In 1984 at 21 years of age, the North American Soccer League ceased operations and Skouras made the trip to West Germany to continue his ambitions and living. After multiple trials at Bundesliga clubs, Skouras finally landed a contract with Karlsruhe Sport Club. After observing Skouras, Werner Olk the Karlsruhe manager gave the "green light" for the acquisition of Skouras which officially made Skouras the "First American" to sign a European First Division contract. Ironically and in a matter of days, Skouras was transferred to Greek Super League power Olympiakos Piraeus with the confirmation of former Netherlands and current Manager Georg Keßler and United States National Team Manager Alketas Panagoulias. Skouras spent one year at Olympiakos (December 1984 – 1985) playing in a few matches. However, being selected week in and week out in the squads of 16 was not a simple feat in such a "massive club" as Olympiakos. Returning to the United States in 1986 and signing for a short period with the San Jose Earthquakes of the American Professional Soccer League (APSL), PAOK Thessaloniki of the Greek Super League signed Skouras under the direction of former Netherlands National Team Manager Thijs Libregts. Due to Skouras' physical style of play, injuries plagued Skouras throughout his stay in the Greek Sub-Capital.[1] Skouras continued his footballing career in the Greek Super League with Diagoras Rhodes for the 1987-88 season,[2] and in the Greek Second Professional Division with Panseraikos F.C. who in 1988–89 were promoted to the Greek Super League under the technical guidance of Athanasios Dokas. In 1990, Skouras returned to the United States and the Los Angeles Heat of the American Professional Soccer League. After a few number of matches, injury again plagued Skouras with a severely torn hamstring and would bring his playing career to an end. Skouras was 27 years of age.
Coach
On September 16, 1994, the
Education
Skouras graduated Cum Laude from Los Angeles City College within the field of Psychology, Addiction Studies. Today, Skouras has acquired the "IC&RC" Drug & Alcohol Counseling Certification and is offering his services within the field of Addiction.
References
- ^ Mastrogiannopoulos, Alexander (May 17, 2003). "Greece 1986/87". RSSSF.
- ^ Mastrogiannopoulos, Alexander. "Greece 1987/88". RSSSF. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
- ^ September 16, 1994 Transactions
- ^ "The Year in American Soccer, 1995". Litterer, Dave. Archived from the original on August 5, 2009. Retrieved December 20, 2008.