Marek Grabowski Explained

Marek Grabowski
Birth Date:20 January 1964
Birth Place:Lewin Brzeski, Poland
Height:1.77 m
Position:Forward
Years1:1981–1983
Clubs1:Metal Grodków
Years2:1984–1990
Clubs2:Moto Jelcz Oława
Years3:1991
Caps3:28
Goals3:10
Years4:1992–1998
Clubs4:Moto Jelcz Oława
Years5:1998–2001
Years6:2001
Caps6:3
Goals6:0
Years7:2002–2004
Caps7:68
Goals7:7
Years8:2004
Years9:2004–2005
Clubs9:Foto-Higiena Oława
Years10:2005–2007
Years11:2007–2008
Clubs11:Polonia Miłoszyce

Marek Grabowski (born 20 January 1964) is a Polish former professional footballer who played as a forward.

Career

He began his career in Poland with Metal Grodków before moving to Moto Jelcz Oława.[1]

In 1991, he joined the North York Rockets of the Canadian Soccer League, where he scored 10 goals in 28 appearances.[2] He won the Top Newcomer Award for the 1991 CSL season.[3]

Afterwards, he returned to Poland, where he played for Moto Jelcz Oława and Polar Wrocław. In 2001, he joined Śląsk Wrocław.[4] He made his first league appearance as a substitute in a 1–0 win over Legia Warsaw on 21 July 2001 at the age of 37 years and 182 days, making him the oldest player to make an Ekstraklasa debut in the 21st century, and the second oldest in the league's history.[5] He returned to Polar soon after.[6] He served as team captain for Polar and became a player-coach in 2003.[7]

In 2004, after head coach Tadeusz Pawłowski was dismissed, he was one of four players removed from Polar.[8] While no reason was given for his removal, it was unofficially known that the club managers did not like that he was one of a few players who consistently demanded payment of outstanding salaries. He received a letter from the club that he was no longer to play for the club, but was barred from training for any other team without their permission, including the reserves, despite previously saying he would be allowed to play for the second team. Grabowski submitted a letter to Polar and the Polish Football Association, demanding the termination of his contract due to unpaid wages.[9] Late in January, the training ban was revoked and he was free to train with other clubs.[10] In February, his contract was officially terminated by mutual consent.[11]

Afterwards, he returned to Śląsk Wrocław.[12] In 2004, he was charged in connection with a match-fixing scandal in connection with his former club Polar.[13]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Marek Grabowski. 90 minut.
  2. Web site: Marek Grabowski. Stats Crew.
  3. Web site: 1991 CSL Stats. Canadian Soccer League.
  4. Web site: Śląsk Wrocław. July 24, 2001. Slask Wroclaw. Sport.pl.
  5. Web site: Kmita . Maciej . Oldboj debiutantem? W Ekstraklasie to możliwe! . sportowefakty.wp.pl . 27 July 2024 . pl . 27 July 2015.
  6. Web site: Polar wygrał derby ze Śląskiem. Polar won the derby with Silesia. Artur. Brzozowski. November 3, 2002. Polish. Gazeta Wyborcza.
  7. Web site: Najprawdopodobniej Polar zagra w II lidze. Most likely, Polar will play in the 2nd league. July 17, 2003. Artur. Brzozowski. Sport.pl. Polish.
  8. Web site: Jak Polar Wrocław traktuje Marka Grabowskiego. Polish. How Polar Wrocław treats Marek Grabowski. January 16, 2004. Artur. Brzozowski. Sport.pl.
  9. Web site: Polar Wrocław chce rozwiazać kontrakt z Markiem Grabowskim. Polar Wrocław wants to terminate the contract with Marek Grabowski. Polish. January 20, 2004. Sport.pl.
  10. Web site: Grabowski może już trenować. Grabowski can train now. Polish. January 21, 2004. Sport.pl.
  11. Web site: Grabowski na Oporowskiej. Grabowski on Oporowska Street. Andrzej. Lewandowski. February 9, 2004. Polish. Nasze Miasto.
  12. Web site: Marek Grabowski trenuje z WKSem!. Marek Grabowski trains with WKS!. Polish. February 9, 2004. Marcin. Polański. Slasknet.
  13. Web site: Afera korupcyjna Polaru - Markowi G. postawiono zarzuty. The Polar corruption scandal - Marek G. has been charged. July 7, 2004. Sport.pl. Polish. Artur. Brzozowski. Mirosław. Maciorowski.