Vince Grella

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Vince Grella

| image = Vince Grella (cropped).jpg

| caption = Grella in 2009

| fullname = Vincenzo Grella{{cite web |url=https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup South Africa 2010: List of Players: Australia |publisher=FIFA |page=3 |date=4 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200418010111/https://www.fifa.com/mm/document/tournament/competition/01/22/85/78/fwc_2010_squadlists.pdf |archive-date=18 April 2020}}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1979|10|5|df=y}}

| birth_place = Dandenong, Victoria, Australia

| height = 1.82 m{{cite web| url = http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0,,12306~31493,00.html| title = Premier League Player Profile| access-date = 15 March 2011| publisher = Premier League| archive-date = 30 September 2012| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120930074638/http://www.premierleague.com/page/PlayerProfile/0,,12306~31493,00.html| url-status = dead}}

| position = Defensive midfielder

| currentclub = Catania (vice-president & CEO)

| youthyears1 =

| youthclubs1 = Springvale City

| youthyears2 = 1996–1997

| youthclubs2 = AIS

| years1 = 1995–1996

| clubs1 = Springvale City

| caps1 = 16

| goals1 = 0

| years2 = 1996–1997

| clubs2 = Canberra Cosmos

| caps2 = 14

| goals2 = 1

| years3 = 1997–1998

| clubs3 = Carlton

| caps3 = 23

| goals3 = 1

| years4 = 1998–2004

| clubs4 = Empoli

| caps4 = 60

| goals4 = 1

| years5 = 1999–2001

| clubs5 = → Ternana (loan)

| caps5 = 27

| goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2004–2007

| clubs6 = Parma

| caps6 = 92

| goals6 = 2

| years7 = 2007–2008

| clubs7 = Torino

| caps7 = 28

| goals7 = 1

| years8 = 2008–2012

| clubs8 = Blackburn Rovers

| caps8 = 38

| goals8 = 0

| years9 = 2012–2013

| clubs9 = Melbourne Heart

| caps9 = 1

| goals9 = 0

| totalcaps = 299

| totalgoals = 6

| nationalyears1 = 1996–1999

| nationalteam1 = Australia U-20

| nationalcaps1 = 11

| nationalgoals1 = 0

| nationalyears2 = 1996–2000

| nationalteam2 = Australia U-23

| nationalcaps2 = 17

| nationalgoals2 = 0

| nationalyears3 = 2003–2010

| nationalteam3 = Australia

| nationalcaps3 = 46

| nationalgoals3 = 0

| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|AUS}}}}

}}

Vincenzo Grella (born 5 October 1979) is an Australian former footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Dandenong to Italian immigrants, Antonio and Maria, Grella began his senior career in Australia before moving to Italy, where he spent over ten years, playing for Empoli, Ternana, Parma and Torino. He moved to Blackburn Rovers of the Premier League in 2008 where he spent four seasons, before returning to Australia in 2012 to play for Melbourne Heart.

He retired from professional football in January 2013, after a long-standing struggle with injuries. Grella represented the Australian national team on 46 occasions, and played at the 2006 and 2010 World Cups. His 2010 FIFA World Cup profile describes him as a possessing the "ability to mop up loose balls and halt opposition counter-attacks."{{cite web|title=Player Profile|url=https://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player=178324/profile.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130926134722/http://www.fifa.com/worldcup/archive/southafrica2010/players/player=178324/profile.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 September 2013|publisher=fifa.com|access-date=21 September 2013}}

Club career

=Italy=

He had a ten-year stint in Italy's professional leagues after beginning his career in the NSL. He has been a regular for Australia since 2003, playing in his customary defensive midfield position, and was involved in both the 2006 World Cup and the 2007 Asian Cup.

Grella's friendship with Australian teammate Mark Bresciano is well known. Grella has described Bresciano as "even more than a brother"; they played together at the AIS, Carlton and Empoli, and were reunited in 2004 when Grella joined Parma, before Bresciano moved on to Palermo in 2006.[http://www.theage.com.au/news/soccerfeatures/the-brotherhood/2005/11/18/1132016996463.html The Brotherhood ], The Age, 18 November 2005 Aged 19, Grella made his debut in Serie A with Empoli, in a match against Juventus at the Stadio Delle Alpi, where his first job was to mark Zinedine Zidane.Brown, C. [http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4158/is_/ai_n16476371 Aussie hardman with touch of Italian class], The Independent, 12 June 2006 (Empoli held Juventus to a 0–0 draw.)The Four Diegos... World Football [http://www.fourdiegos.com/vgrella.htm Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Vince Grella] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720192015/http://www.fourdiegos.com/vgrella.htm |date=20 July 2008}}, The Four Diegos, retrieved 29 October 2008 Grella built up his reputation in Italy during his time with Empoli, to overcome initial doubts about his suitability to Serie A and earn the respect of the Italian media, coaches and fellow players. Grella was widely linked with a move to A.C. Milan in 2003, although the proposed transfer never eventuated, and he moved to Parma a year later.{{cite news|title=Serie A trio wrap up deals|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11864/2309604/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=31 August 2004|access-date=28 May 2013}} While at Parma, both Grella and Bresciano were excused from the 2005 Confederations Cup by the then-Australian manager Frank Farina to allow the pair to take part in a relegation playoff between Parma and Bologna–which Parma won, to avoid relegation.

Grella was named as captain of Parma for the 2006–07 season, and played a key role helping the team avoid relegation from Serie A for a second consecutive season.FIFA [https://web.archive.org/web/20070625060331/http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=538637.html Transfer activity gathers pace], FIFA.com, 22 June 2007 On 20 June 2007, Grella signed a three-year contract with Torino,{{cite news|url=http://www.torinofc.it/content/view/1452/61 |title=Grella firma per il Torino |trans-title=Grella signs for Torino F.C. |date=20 June 2007 |access-date=2 June 2010 |work=Official Torino F.C. website |language=it |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930050429/http://www.torinofc.it/content/view/1452/61 |archive-date=30 September 2011 }} one of several new signings made by The Bull. The move to Torino was a free transfer due to the expiry of his contract with Parma.The Age, [http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/socceroo-grella-signs-for-torino/2007/06/20/1182019202022.html Socceroo Grella signs for Torino], The Age, 21 June 2007{{cite news|title=Torino grab Grella|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11873/2492564/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=20 June 2007|access-date=28 May 2013}} During his one season in Turin, he was a regular member of the side, although his season was interrupted by injury on several occasions. He scored one league goal for Torino, a powerful volley from the edge of the penalty area, which cannoned in off the far post to draw level with Fiorentina. The goal was a candidate for goal of the month for January in Serie A.[http://www.footballitaliano.tv/goal-of-the-month-january-597/ Goal of the Month: January] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029082420/http://www.footballitaliano.tv/goal-of-the-month-january-597/ |date=29 October 2008 }}, FootballItaliano.tv, 4 February 2008 It was only the sixth league-goal of his career. From July 2022 he assumes the position of vice president and CEO of the Catania SSD owned by Ross Pelligra Australian of Sicilian origins

=Blackburn Rovers=

On 26 August 2008, Grella joined English then Premier League outfit Blackburn Rovers on a four-year deal,{{cite web |url=http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~1375618,00.html |title=Grella signs for Rovers |publisher=Blackburn Rovers Official Website |date=27 August 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080828205420/http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~1375618,00.html |archive-date=28 August 2008 }} for an undisclosed fee, rumoured to be around £4m{{cite news|title=Blackburn Rovers sign Vince Grella|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/3623923.Blackburn_Rovers_sign_Vince_Grella/|work=Lancashire Telegraph|date=26 August 2008 }} (with the initial fee later revealed as €4.2m),{{cite web |url=http://www.football.co.uk/blackburn_rovers/ince_seeking_bargain_recruits_271770.shtml |title=Ince seeking bargain recruits |publisher=football.co.uk |date=2 October 2008}} having previously been linked to fellow Premiership club Fulham.[http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_3865021,00.html Fulham target Grella] Sky Sports News He joined fellow Australian Brett Emerton at the club. He made his first appearance for the club in a 4–1 loss to West Ham United at Upton Park, where he played the first 45 minutes, picking up a yellow card and providing an assist with a header for the only Blackburn goal, before being substituted at half-time for Keith Andrews. A calf injury kept him out of the side for a month following his debut, and he returned to the side in a 1–1 draw with Middlesbrough at Ewood Park, playing the full game in the centre of midfield. This was his home debut, and he was later named man-of-the-match for his performance.{{cite web | url=http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~1431988,00.html | title=Rovers v Middlesbrough: Min-by-min | publisher=Blackburn Rovers F.C. | date=25 October 2008 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081028093011/http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10303~1431988,00.html | archive-date=28 October 2008 }}

The following 3 years he spent at the club were a frustrating time for Grella, and Blackburn Rovers fans, with injuries disrupting his stay at Rovers. A succession of knee, groin and calf problems would ultimately rule him out for vast majority of his contract. After the 2010–11 season, Blackburn Rovers revealed their desire to transfer Grella.{{cite web|title=A-League clubs alerted as Blackburn to offload Grella|url=http://www.tribalfootball.com/articles/a-league-clubs-alerted-blackburn-offload-grella-1751291|work=tribalfootball|access-date=13 July 2011|date=12 July 2011}} However, with his history of injuries, no offers were made, and he left Blackburn Rovers upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the 2011/12 Barclays Premier League season, a season in which he only made 2 appearances.{{cite news|title=Blackburn Rovers trio on PFA transfer list|url=http://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/sport/9741703.Blackburn_Rovers_trio_on_PFA_transfer_list/|work=Lancashire Telegraph|date=2 June 2013|access-date=28 May 2013}} Over the last 2 years of his contract, Grella was only able to make a total of 9 appearances due to injuries.

=Melbourne City=

On 16 October 2012, he signed with Australian A-League club Melbourne City on a one-year deal.{{cite news|title=Grella Headed To Melbourne City|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/253617,grella-headed-to-melbourne-city.aspx|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|date=16 October 2012|access-date=28 May 2013}} Previously, Grella stated he announced his intention to return to Italy next season, rather go back to his home country.{{cite news|title=Grella Set For Italian Switch|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/236149,grella-set-for-italian-switch.aspx|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|date=3 April 2012|access-date=28 May 2013|archive-date=6 April 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406171342/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/236149,grella-set-for-italian-switch.aspx|url-status=dead}} But in the unexpected event, Grella says former national teammate and now manager of Melbourne City, John Aloisi convinced Grella to play football in Australia.{{cite news|title=City Puts Grella Back on the Football Map|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/254153,city-puts-grella-back-on-the-football-map.aspx|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|date=21 October 2012|access-date=28 May 2013}} Two months after the move, continuously having injuries, Aloisi revealed he's making a comeback from injury and just returned to training.{{cite news|title=Aloisi: Grella will be 'involved soon'|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/261348,aloisi-grella-will-be-involved-soon.aspx|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|date=18 January 2013|access-date=28 May 2013}}

Vince Grella made his A-League debut for the Melbourne City on Australia Day, 26 January 2013 against the Western Sydney Wanderers at the Parramatta Stadium as a 68th minute replacement for Jonatan Germano.{{cite news|title=Ten-man Wanderers are City stoppers|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/262134,ten-man-wanderers-are-city-stoppers.aspx|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|date=26 January 2013|access-date=28 May 2013}} He officially announced his retirement two days later due to a torn calf that he picked up in his one match for Melbourne City.{{cite web|url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Grella-hangs-up-the-boots/59363 |title=Grella Hangs up Boots |publisher=footballaustralia.com.au |access-date=28 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203172625/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Grella-hangs-up-the-boots/59363 |archive-date=3 December 2013 }} In an interview with the Australian FourFourTwo Magazine, Grella spoke out his retirement and said:

{{cquote|It was a crushing blow, but I'd done everything in my power to give me the best possible chance to be successful, When I realised that I couldn't be successful anymore, I made the decision not to play on. Ending in this way and not ending because of a lack of passion or a lack of enjoyment in playing football, but because of a physical problem that doesn't allow you to compete anymore - that's what leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I work really hard, and not just this time, but all the previous times that I've made comebacks I've always been confident, tried and left no stone unturned. It's been frustrating because I'm a competitor and I've always tried to compete at the top level as often as possible. But to enjoy those really good times, you've got to be able to accept the really bad times. For me now, it's just about getting back to the family and having a couple of months off to refresh the mind.{{cite news|title=Vince Grella: Injury destroyed me|url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/262313,vince-grella-injury-destroyed-me.aspx|publisher=footballaustralia.com.au|date=29 January 2013|access-date=28 May 2013}}}}

International career

Grella was a regular member of the Socceroos; he represented the Australian Under-23s at the 2000 Summer Olympics and received his first senior cap when he came on as a second-half substitute in the international friendly against England in 2003, which Australia won 3–1 at West Ham's Upton Park stadium. In November 2005, Grella played in both legs of the World Cup play-off against Uruguay, where Australia qualified for the 2006 World Cup for the first time in 32 years. At the World Cup, Grella's displays in the heart of Australia's midfield saw him named in a preliminary squad for FIFA's team of the tournament, the only Australian to make this list.AAP [http://www.theage.com.au/news/aussie-update/world-cups-over-now-for-south-africa/2006/06/30/1151174384399.html World Cup's over, now for South Africa], TheAge.com.au, 30 June 2006.

On 13 November 2006, Grella was selected as captain for an international friendly in London against Ghana, making him the 51st player to captain the Australia football team. On 21 July 2007 in Hanoi, Vietnam, Grella was sent off in the 76th minute of Australia's 2007 Asian Cup quarter-final against Japan. Leaping for a header, Grella's forearm connected with Naohiro Takahara's head, who had come from behind Grella, sending the latter to the ground. The game was 1–1 at the time and remained that way until the end of extra time, with Japan eliminating Australia from the tournament in a penalty shoot-out. He has currently amassed 46 caps for Australia since making his debut back in February 2003.{{cite news|title=Penalty heartbreak for Roos|url=http://www.theworldgame.com.au/home/index.php?pid=st&cid=92151|publisher=The World Game on SBS|date=13 February 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071209195631/http://www.theworldgame.com.au/home/index.php?pid=st|archive-date=9 December 2007}}

Post-playing career

In July 2022, Grella moved back to Italy, after being named vice-president and CEO of Sicilian Serie D club Catania following the club's rebirth under an Australian ownership with Pelligra Group.{{Cite web |last=Pisani |first=Sacha |date=2022-07-13 |title=Roos great Grella joins Aussie-led Catania as vice-president |url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/roos-great-grella-joins-aussie-led-catania-as-vice-president/ |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=A-Leagues |language=en-AU}}

In February 2024, it was announced that Pelligra Group had purchased Australian club Perth Glory. Grella was a key figure in the sale and will play a role in running the club.{{Cite web |date=2024-02-17 |title=Pelligra’s pledge: How he plans on restoring Glory days |url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/perth-glory/new-perth-glory-owner-ross-pelligra-outlines-his-vision-for-the-club-and-vince-grellas-role-in-takeover-c-13620695 |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=The West Australian |language=en}}

Career statistics

=Club=

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !rowspan="2"\|Division !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="3"\|Cup !colspan="3"\|Europe !colspan="3"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Apps !Goals !Assists !Apps !Goals !Assists !Apps !Goals !Assists !Apps !Goals !Assists
rowspan="1" valign="center"\| Canberra Cosmos \|1996–97 \|NSL \|14	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	14	1	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\| Carlton \|1997–98 \|NSL \|23	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	23	1	0
colspan="3"\| NSL total ! 37	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	37	2	0
rowspan="1" valign="center"\| Empoli \|1998–99 \|Serie A \|2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
rowspan="3" valign="center"\| Ternana (loan) \|1999–00 \|Serie B \|8	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	9	0	0
2000–01 \|Serie B \|19	0	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	21	0	3
colspan="2"\| Ternana total ! 27	0	3	3	0	0	0	0	0	30	0	3
rowspan="4" valign="center"\| Empoli \|2001–02 \|Serie B \|3	0	0	4	0	0	0	0	0	7	0	0
2002–03 \|Serie A \|32	1	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	35	1	2
2003–04 \|Serie A \|25	0	1	3	1	0	0	0	0	28	1	1
colspan="2"\| Empoli total ! 60	1	3	10	1	0	0	0	0	70	2	3
rowspan="4" valign="center"\| Parma \|2004–05 \|Serie A \|27	0	0	1	0	0	9	0	1	37	0	1
2005–06 \|Serie A \|35	1	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	37	1	1
2006–07 \|Serie A \|30	1	2	2	1	0	2	0	0	34	2	2
colspan="2"\| Parma total ! 92	2	3	5	1	0	11	0	0	108	3	3
rowspan="2" valign="center"\| Torino \|2007–08 \|Serie A \|28	1	1	4	0	2	0	0	0	32	1	3
colspan="2"\| Torino total ! 28	1	1	4	0	2	0	0	0	32	1	3
rowspan="5" valign="center"\| Blackburn Rovers \|2008–09 \|Premier League \|17	0	1	2	0	0	0	0	0	19	0	1
2009–10 \|Premier League \|15	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	17	0	0
2010–11 \|Premier League \|5	0	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	7	0	0
2011–12 \|Premier League \|1	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	0
colspan="2"\| Blackburn total ! 38	0	1	7	0	0	0	0	0	45	0	1
rowspan="1" valign="center"\| Melbourne Heart \|2012–13 \|A-League \|1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	0
colspan="3"\|Career total ! 283	6	11	24	2	2	11	0	1	318	8	14

=International=

:Source:{{NFT player|id=449|name=Vince Grella}}

Year	Apps	Goals
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" ! colspan=3 \| Australia national team
2003	2	0
2004	8	0
2005	6	0
2006	9	0
2007	7	0
2008	4	0
2009	6	0
2010	4	0
Total\|\|46\|\|0

Personal life

Grella and his wife, Barbara, have twin daughters, Victoria and Sophia, born in 2002.Lynch, in 2012 born his son EdoardoM003/02/12/1044927663095.html Grella's soccer dreams come true in Italy], TheAge.com.au, 13 February 2003. Grella first met Barbara while she was working in a shoe store in Empoli, Italy, which Grella frequently visited to buy shoes following their first meeting. He is fluent in Italian.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLjicdLytqA

Honours

Australia

OFC Nations Cup: 2004{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/04oc.html|title=Oceania Nations Cup 2004|access-date=October 14, 2024}}

Australia U-20

OFC U-19 Men's Championship: 1998{{Cite web|url=http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/U20/1998.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508063727/http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/U20/1998.html|archive-date=May 8, 2021|url-status=dead|title=Young Socceroo Matches for 1998|access-date=March 13, 2025}}

References

External links

{{NFT player|id=449}}
{{Soccerbase}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20081223035200/http://www.rovers.premiumtv.co.uk/page/ProfilesDetail/0,,10303~31493,00.html Blackburn profile]
[http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/G/GR.html#GrellaVincenzo OzFootball profile]
[http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2007/07/28/1185339320502.html Article] on SMH
[http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/down-and-pout/2007/08/03/1185648149118.html Article] on The Age
[https://web.archive.org/web/20100609043825/http://www.migrationheritage.nsw.gov.au/exhibitions/worldcup/family-grella.shtml Migration Heritage Centre feature on Grella family]

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Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:Soccer players from Melbourne

Category:Australian people of Italian descent

Category:Sportspeople of Italian descent