Robert Gronowski
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Robert Henryk Gronowski | ||
| Date of birth | 13 May 1926[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Gliwice, Germany | ||
| Date of death | 24 February 1994 (aged 67) | ||
| Place of death | Hamburg, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Forward | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1933–35 | Vorwärts-Rasensport Gleiwitz | ||
| 1935–40 | RSV Gleiwitz | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1946–48 | Piast Gliwice | ||
| 1949–60 | Lechia Gdańsk | 161 | (58) |
| 1950 | → AKS Chorzów (loan) | 3 | (1) |
| 1960–61 | Polonia Gdańsk | ||
| 1961–62 | Polonia Melbourne | ||
| 1962–63 | Polonia Sydney | ||
| Total | 164 | (59) | |
| International career | |||
| 1953 | Poland | 1 | (0) |
| Managerial career | |||
| 1961–62 | Polonia Melbourne | ||
| 1962–63 | Polonia Sydney | ||
| 1966 | Lechia Gdańsk | ||
| Polonia Gdańsk | |||
| RKS Stocznia Północna | |||
| Ogniwo Sopot | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Robert Gronowski (13 May 1926 – 24 February 1994) was a Polish professional footballer and Manager. He spent the majority of his career with Lechia Gdańsk, with whom he also managed for a brief spell after retiring from playing professional football. His brother, Henryk Gronowski was also a former professional footballer who played as a Goalkeeper.
Early years
Having been born in Gliwice in 1926, which was then in Germany, Robert was born as Robert Gruner. Unlike his brother Henryk who changed his name to the Polish version of their last name, Gronowski,[2] Robert never officially changed his name and was always known as Robert Gruner throughout his lifetime. However, all footballing records stated his name as Robert Gronowski.
Senior career
After World War 2 Gronowski joined the newly established football team of his birth city Piast in Gliwice, which had now been integrated into Poland.[3] In 1949 Gronowski joined Lechia Gdańsk with his younger brother, Henryk.[4] Gronowski spent a total of 11 years at Lechia, playing over 158 games in all competitions[5] and scored 58 goals in all competitions,[6] still placing as one of the club's highest goalscorers in their history, and is still the club's third highest goalscorer in the Ekstraklasa with 35 goals[7] in the top division. In 1961 Gronowski moved to Australia to play for Polonia Melbourne[8] and Polonia Sydney, Football teams which had been created by Polish nationals who had moved to Australia. During his time with the clubs, Gronowski also acted as the clubs' manager, with the role as a player manager.
International career
In 1953 Gronowski played for Poland, in what turned out to be his only international appearance. He played against Albania in a 2-0 defeat.[9]
Managerial career
After his roles as a player manager in Australia, Gronowski focused solely on management. His first full-time appointment was with Lechia Gdańsk in 1966,[10] meaning his first three management jobs also saw him managing his brother. His time at Lechia didn't last long, and Gronowski soon found himself without a job. After Lechia Gronowski managed Polonia Gdańsk, RKS Stocznia Północna, and Ogniwo Sopot, all of which are located in the Tricity area.
Personal life
Gronowski is commemorated by a star at the MOSiR Stadium in Gdańsk. The "Avenue of Stars" commemorates the efforts and success of former players and coaches.[11]
References
- ^ "Robert Gronowski". lechia.gda.pl.
- ^ "Informacje osobiste - Henryk Gronowski". lechia.net.
- ^ "Bracia Gronowscy – historia Piasta i Lechii". piast.gliwice.pl.
- ^ "ROBERT GRONOWSKI". lechiahistoria.pl.
- ^ "Wystepy od 1945r". lechia.net.
- ^ "Bramki od 1945r". lechia.net.
- ^ "Bramki Ekstraklasa". lechia.net.
- ^ John Punshon "http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/States/VIC/1961SLR.html" ozfootball.net
- ^ "Albania v Poland, 29 November 1953". 11v11.com.
- ^ "Trenerzy". lechia.pl.
- ^ "Zapomniane gwiazdy Lechii Gdańsk ze stadionu przy ulicy Traugutta". gol24.pl.