Bobby Petta
Encyclopedia
Alfred Manuel "Bobby" Petta (born 6 August 1974) is a retired Dutch
professional footballer and is currently a personal trainer based in Glasgow. His playing position was on the left wing.
, Netherlands
, Petta's early playing career was with Feyenoord, from the age of 13 to 21, but he never became a regular in the first team during that period, having loan spells at Dordrecht'90
and RKC Waalwijk
. His frustration led to a move to England in 1996 after he was spotted by Ipswich Town scouts.
He signed for them, but in his first season found it difficult to adapt to the more physical British game, making only six appearances. The Ipswich manager at the time, George Burley
, was determined that his potential would not go to waste, and with hard work he was able to develop his game and physical resilience, with Bobby finally establishing himself in the first team, on the left side of midfield, making more than 80 appearances and scoring nine goals.
However he eventually became frustrated at Ipswich and did not sign a new contract. This resulted, in July 1999, in a free transfer to Celtic
. Possibly the highlight of his career was when during the early managership of Martin O'Neill
, Petta became a regular in the team that achieved the domestic treble
in 2001 and played a starring role in the 6–2 victory for Celtic over Rangers
in the first Old Firm
game of the season - his rampant performance leading to the early substitution of Rangers right back Fernando Ricksen
. His form throughout that season also saw him called up to the Dutch national team
but injury prevented him from playing for his country.
Following that, his first team appearances became limited as a result of injury and other factors, and he made only two starts during the 2002–03
season. Fulham signed Petta on loan in January 2004 for the remainder of that season, making 13 appearances before returning to Scotland. However there was no way back into the Celtic first team and he left the club early in 2005. Petta scored four times during his spell at Celtic, but none of these goals came in the league. His first goal came against Ayr United in the League Cup. He also scored twice in Europe against Jeunesse Esch in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup and Ajax in the 2001/02 Champions League qualifier. His fourth and final Celtic goal came in the FA Cup against Alloa Athletic.
He tried to revive his career in England, first with Darlington
, where he scored on his debut against Bury, and then Bradford City
, finally leaving the country in 2006 to join the Australia
n club, Adelaide United. He was released from Adelaide after failing to make much of an impact because of injuries. Petta signed for South Australian side Para Hills Knights
on 11 June 2008.
He was invited to have a trial with A-League
club Sydney FC
in late July, and join up with his former coach at Adelaide, John Kosmina. He signed a contract with Sydney until the end of the 2008–09 season as a replacement for Mike Enfield
, who was placed on the long term injury list. After the season finished, Petta was released.
He signed for Heidelberg United
FC in the Victorian Premier League for the 2009 season.
In June 2011 Petta was in talks with new Alloa Athletic manager Paul Hartley
, with a view to resurrecting his playing career with the Scottish third division side.
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
professional footballer and is currently a personal trainer based in Glasgow. His playing position was on the left wing.
Club career
Born in RotterdamRotterdam
Rotterdam is the second-largest city in the Netherlands and one of the largest ports in the world. Starting as a dam on the Rotte river, Rotterdam has grown into a major international commercial centre...
, Netherlands
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
, Petta's early playing career was with Feyenoord, from the age of 13 to 21, but he never became a regular in the first team during that period, having loan spells at Dordrecht'90
FC Dordrecht
FC Dordrecht is a football club from the city of Dordrecht in the Netherlands, currently playing in the Eerste Divisie.- History :Founded on 16 August 1883 as Dordrechtsche Football Club , it became a professional club in 1954 upon the introduction of professional football to the Netherlands...
and RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk
RKC Waalwijk is a football club currently playing in the Eredivisie. Its name is derived from 'Rooms Katholieke Combinatie' and was a fusion club of HEC, WVB and Hercules.-History:...
. His frustration led to a move to England in 1996 after he was spotted by Ipswich Town scouts.
He signed for them, but in his first season found it difficult to adapt to the more physical British game, making only six appearances. The Ipswich manager at the time, George Burley
George Burley
George Elder Burley is a Scottish football manager and former player and manager, formerly the manager of Crystal Palace Football Club. Burley had a professional career spanning 21 years as a player making 628 appearances and earning 11 Scotland caps...
, was determined that his potential would not go to waste, and with hard work he was able to develop his game and physical resilience, with Bobby finally establishing himself in the first team, on the left side of midfield, making more than 80 appearances and scoring nine goals.
However he eventually became frustrated at Ipswich and did not sign a new contract. This resulted, in July 1999, in a free transfer to Celtic
Celtic F.C.
Celtic Football Club is a Scottish football club based in the Parkhead area of Glasgow, which currently plays in the Scottish Premier League. The club was established in 1887, and played its first game in 1888. Celtic have won the Scottish League Championship on 42 occasions, most recently in the...
. Possibly the highlight of his career was when during the early managership of Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
, Petta became a regular in the team that achieved the domestic treble
The Treble
The term treble or Treble is used in association football to refer to a team winning three trophies in a single season. Honours usually considered to contribute to a treble are the top-tier domestic league competition, domestic cup competitions, and continental tournaments; although this depends to...
in 2001 and played a starring role in the 6–2 victory for Celtic over Rangers
Rangers F.C.
Rangers Football Club are an association football club based in Glasgow, Scotland, who play in the Scottish Premier League. The club are nicknamed the Gers, Teddy Bears and the Light Blues, and the fans are known to each other as bluenoses...
in the first Old Firm
Old Firm
The Old Firm is a common collective name for the association football clubs Celtic and Rangers, both based in Glasgow, Scotland.The origin of the term is unclear. One theory has it that the expression derives from Celtic's first game in 1888, which was played against Rangers. However, author,...
game of the season - his rampant performance leading to the early substitution of Rangers right back Fernando Ricksen
Fernando Ricksen
Fernando Ricksen is a Dutch football defender/midfielder. He played on the right side of defence, midfield or as a central holding player...
. His form throughout that season also saw him called up to the Dutch national team
Netherlands national football team
The Netherlands National Football Team represents the Netherlands in association football and is controlled by the Royal Dutch Football Association , the governing body for football in the Netherlands...
but injury prevented him from playing for his country.
Following that, his first team appearances became limited as a result of injury and other factors, and he made only two starts during the 2002–03
2002-03 in Scottish football
The 2002–03 season was the 106th season of competitive football in Scotland.-Scottish Premier League:The 2002–03 Scottish Premier League was won on goal difference by Rangers by a single goal over Celtic. Both Rangers and Celtic qualified for the 2003–04 UEFA Champions League and...
season. Fulham signed Petta on loan in January 2004 for the remainder of that season, making 13 appearances before returning to Scotland. However there was no way back into the Celtic first team and he left the club early in 2005. Petta scored four times during his spell at Celtic, but none of these goals came in the league. His first goal came against Ayr United in the League Cup. He also scored twice in Europe against Jeunesse Esch in the 2000/01 UEFA Cup and Ajax in the 2001/02 Champions League qualifier. His fourth and final Celtic goal came in the FA Cup against Alloa Athletic.
He tried to revive his career in England, first with Darlington
Darlington F.C.
Darlington Football Club is a professional association football club based in Darlington, County Durham, currently playing in the Conference National. The club was founded in 1883, and originally played its games at Feethams, before moving to the Darlington Arena in 2003...
, where he scored on his debut against Bury, and then Bradford City
Bradford City A.F.C.
Bradford City Association Football Club is an English association football club based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, playing in League Two....
, finally leaving the country in 2006 to join the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n club, Adelaide United. He was released from Adelaide after failing to make much of an impact because of injuries. Petta signed for South Australian side Para Hills Knights
Para Hills Knights
Para Hills Knights Soccer Club are a football club from Para Hills, South Australia. The club plays in the South Australian Super League and have their home ground at The Paddocks in Para Hills, north of Adelaide...
on 11 June 2008.
He was invited to have a trial with A-League
A-League
The A-League is the top Australasian professional football league. Run by Australian governing body Football Federation Australia , it was founded in 2004 following the folding of the National Soccer League and staged its inaugural season in 2005–06. It is sponsored by Hyundai Motor Company...
club Sydney FC
Sydney FC
Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League...
in late July, and join up with his former coach at Adelaide, John Kosmina. He signed a contract with Sydney until the end of the 2008–09 season as a replacement for Mike Enfield
Michael Enfield
Michael Enfield is an American soccer player, currently playing for Ventura County Fusion in the USL Premier Development League.-College and Amateur:...
, who was placed on the long term injury list. After the season finished, Petta was released.
He signed for Heidelberg United
Heidelberg United
Heidelberg United Football Club is a football club based in the northern Melbourne suburb of Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia...
FC in the Victorian Premier League for the 2009 season.
In June 2011 Petta was in talks with new Alloa Athletic manager Paul Hartley
Paul Hartley
Paul James Hartley is a Scottish professional footballer. He is currently player and manager at Alloa Athletic. Hartley began his career as a right winger, but was moved into a central midfield position in 2002...
, with a view to resurrecting his playing career with the Scottish third division side.
A-League career statistics
(Correct as of 14 March 2008)| Club | Season | League | Finals | Asia | Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | Apps | Goals | Assists | ||
| Adelaide United | 2006–07 A-League 2006-07 The 2006–07 A-League season was the second season of the Australian football competition, the A-League. Football Federation Australia hoped to build on the success of the first season and on the interest generated by the Socceroos competing in the 2006 FIFA World Cup... |
15 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 6 |
| 2007–08 A-League 2007-08 The A-League 2007-08 season was the third season of the Australian A-League football competition, won by the Newcastle Jets. Football Federation Australia hoped to build on the success of the previous two seasons and on the interest generated by and playing in the 2007 AFC Champions League, and... |
5 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||
| 5 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| Total | 20 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 23 | 1 | 6 | |
| Sydney FC Sydney FC Sydney FC is a professional football club based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia and competes in the country's premier football competition, the A-League... |
A-League 2008–09 | 9 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||
| 9 | 0 | 0 | |||||||||||
| Career totals | 29 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 32 | 1 | 6 | |
Honours
With Celtic FC:- SPL ChampionshipScottish football championsThe Scottish football champions are the winners of the highest league in Scottish football, namely the Scottish Football League from 1890 until 1998 and the Scottish Premier League thereafter....
: 2000–01 - SPL ChampionshipScottish football championsThe Scottish football champions are the winners of the highest league in Scottish football, namely the Scottish Football League from 1890 until 1998 and the Scottish Premier League thereafter....
: 2001–02