Striker Giuliano Grazioli, one of Barnet's most popular players of recent years, has been forced to retire from football because of an eye condition.
The sad news, which takes immediate effect, was announced today ... on his 34th birthday.
Graz scored 29 goals in the Conference winning season and won not only the Golden Boot but the Player of the Year award. In all, he scored 114 goals in 212 games for the Bees.
He made national headlines by scoring for Stevenage Borough against Newcastle United in an FA Cup and once scored five goals against Barnet for Peterborough United in a 9-1 win at Underhill.
He was a Bristol Rovers player when he joined the Bees. Chairman Tony Kleanthous completed the £110,000 transfer of Junior Agogo to Rovers ... then asked then manager Martin Allen if he fancied Grazioli as a replacement. There cannot be many better bargains in Barnet history.
Grazioli, who was brought up and educated in Finchley, still lives in the area. He maintains a contact with the Bees by helping the Football in the Community programme.
Graz has scored five goals in 11 games this season for Andy Hessenthaler's Dover Athletic. He will stay with the club until the end of the season in a scouting and coaching capacity.
Thanks for the memories, Graz, and all the best for the future.
Dennis Signy
