18 Facts About Joel Griffiths

Joel Griffiths was born on 21 August 1979 and is an Australian professional football manager who currently serves as the manager of Newcastle Olympic FC for National Premier Leagues Northern NSW and retired professional football striker.

Joel Griffiths played for Sydney United, Parramatta Power and Newcastle United Jets in the now defunct National Soccer League.

Joel Griffiths had a brief stint with Leeds United where he made two appearances.

Joel Griffiths joined the Newcastle Jets on 31 July 2006, for an undisclosed fee after a brief spell in England with Leeds United, having signed from Swiss club Neuchatel Xamax on 17 January 2006.

Joel Griffiths only managed two substitute appearances for Leeds and Griffiths attributed the lack of first team football to the perceived animosity from ex-Leeds manager Kevin Blackwell who only provided "non stop criticism".

Early in the season Joel Griffiths controversially assaulted a linesman, for which he was awarded a yellow card, narrowly escaping harsh punishment due to FIFA regulations.

Joel Griffiths's club fined him two weeks' wages.

Joel Griffiths was set to become the Newcastle Jets million dollar man and play as a marquee player.

However this was cancelled, with Joel Griffiths joining brother Ryan at Chinese club Beijing Guoan on a year long loan.

Joel Griffiths was suspended for five matches earlier in the 2009 CSL season for elbowing an opposing player, and then later on the year, given a seven-week suspension for making a gesture towards opposing supporters.

Joel Griffiths refused to extend his contract with Beijing Guoan and made a free transfer to Guoan's rival club Shanghai Shenhua in January 2012.

Joel Griffiths signed with Sydney FC in December 2012, being eligible to play with them from 14 January 2013.

Joel Griffiths was handed a three-match suspension by the FFA's match review panel on 1 February 2013.

Joel Griffiths returned to China, where he has previously played in successful stints for Beijing Guoan and Shanghai Shenhua, signing a contract with another Super League club Qingdao Jonoon.

Joel Griffiths represented Australia at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship held in Nigeria.

Joel Griffiths made his debut for the full national team on 9 October 2005 against Jamaica, scoring a goal before celebrating by hopping up and down like a Kangaroo.

Joel Griffiths married his childhood sweetheart, Bianca Janson, in December 2007.

Joel Griffiths's daughter, Gizelle Janson Griffiths, was born on 29 April 2009.