Giuliano Grazioli: 2006-08

Last updated : 15 August 2014 By Jaybee

 

Both Barnet and Grazioli started the 2006/07 season hoping that there would be an improvement on the previous season. Barnet had finished 18th in 2005/06 and Graz had scored just 8 goals, though he still finished up as the Bees' top league scorer for the season.

 

Graz started the new season in the side for the opening match against Torquay United at Underhill, which ended in a disappointing 0-1 defeat for the Bees. Graz was then dropped to the bench for the next two games at Swindon and Accrington, both of which were lost 2-1 leaving Barnet with no points from the first three games.

 

Graz was restored to the side for the home game against newly promoted, Hereford United. Barnet finally got off the mark for the season with a convincing 3-0 win against the Bulls, with Graz putting the Bees ahead with a fine goal. Barry Cogan played the ball inside to Ian Hendon, who slipped it through to Graz who was in acres of space and he expertly drove it past ex Barnet goalkeeper, Scott Tynan.

 

Barnet's form picked up and Graz was very unlucky to see a goal disallowed at Wrexham which would have given Barnet all three points instead of having to settle for a 1-1 draw. A niggling injury saw him miss the Macclesfield match and he was on the bench for the home game against Boston United. In an exciting game, Barnet were 3-2 down when Graz came on as a substitute late in the game. A cross from Ian Hendon was headed into the penalty area by Adam Gross and Graz was there to flick it home to gain the Bees a point.

 

With just 4 starts in the season so far, Graz could feel pleased with his 2 goals and it seemed quite a promising start to the season for him. Sadly, the goal against Boston proved to be the last senior goal that Graz was to score for Barnet. In an injury riddled season, and with a lack of form, Graz ended the season making just 8 starts and another 10 appearances as substitute.

 

At the start of 2007/08, many fans were surprised to see Graz start the season at Underhill. It was not to prove a happy season for Graz. He made just 3 starts for the Bees, the last being at Grimsby Town in the 1-4 defeat in March. He came on as a substitute in the last home game against Stockport County to a thunderous reception and played his last game for Barnet a week later at Rotherham, coming on as a late substitute. In all he made 3 starts in his last season, making another 12 appearances as a substitute and failed to score. The closest he came was in the Boxing Day derby at home to Dagenham & Redbridge when he hit the post after coming on late as a substitute. Graz was then released at the end of the season.

Graz made 122 starts for Barnet. Plus another 24 appearances as a substitute, scoring 65 goals. The fact that all but 10 of those goals were scored in non-league football does not detract from the fact that he was a real hero to the Barnet fans and deserves the accolade of being called a true Barnet Legend. 1...2...3... Grazioli, Grazioli..ole ole ole