Michael Ferrante
FullnameMichael Ferrante
Birth date28 April 1981 (age 45)
Birth placeMelbourne, Australia
Height1.72 m (5 ft 8 in)
CurrentclubEssendon Royals
PositionCentral midfielder
Youthyears 21997–1998
Youthclubs 1Fawkner
Youthclubs 2AIS
Years 11998–2001
Years 22001–2002
Years 32002–2004
Years 42004
Years 52005–2007
Years 62007–2010
Years 72010–2012
Years 82012–2019
Years 92019–2021
Clubs 1West Ham United
Clubs 2Comprens Stabia
Clubs 3Benevento
Clubs 4Fawkner Blues
Clubs 5Melbourne Victory
Clubs 6Wellington Phoenix
Clubs 7Richmond
Clubs 8Pascoe Vale
Clubs 9Essendon Royals
Caps 10
Caps 214
Caps 39
Caps 48
Caps 526
Caps 643
Caps 745
Caps 8141
Caps 99
Goals 10
Goals 20
Goals 30
Goals 45
Goals 51
Goals 61
Goals 714
Goals 810
Goals 90
Nationalyears 11997
Nationalyears 21999–2001
Nationalteam 1Australia U-17
Nationalteam 2Australia U-20
Nationalcaps 13
Nationalcaps 210
Nationalgoals 10
Nationalgoals 28
Pcupdate9 September 2021
Ntupdate29 September 2008

Michael Ferrante (born 28 April 1981)[1] is an Australian former footballer. He is currently the senior men's head coach of Essendon Royals SC.

Biography

He attended St. Joseph's College Melbourne from years 1992–1997 being a star week in week out for his school side. He came through the ranks at the Australian Institute of Sport and from there he moved on to the youth team at West Ham United. He captained the team in one of the games of the 9–0 aggregate FA Youth Cup Final triumph over Coventry in 1999.[2] The team included Joe Cole and Michael Carrick who went on to become established Premier League and England players plus fellow Australian and Australian international Richard Garcia.

He had a spell in Italy with Comprensorio Stabia and Serie C side Benevento Calcio before returning to Australia to join Fawkner Blues in 2004. He joined Melbourne's inaugural A-League squad for season 2005–06 and featured in all of Melbourne Victory league games. Following the signings of Fred and Grant Brebner he was frozen out of the squad for the second season and struggled to make appearances. He made 21 appearances for Melbourne in 2005–06, scoring one goal, and five appearances in 2006–07.[1]

After Victory released him from his contract by mutual consent in February 2007, new A-League team Wellington Phoenix signed Ferrante on a two-year deal for the start of the A-League 2007-08 season.[3][4]

In 2010, he returned home to Melbourne, signing for local club Richmond Eagles mid-season. On 12 July 2012 he announced that a major back injury would prevent him participating in the VPL for the remainder of the 2012. By mutual consent, his contract was terminated and Richmond released him to sign with Pascoe Vale who were managed by his brother Vitale.

A-League career statistics

Correct as of 24 February 2010
ClubSeasonLeagueFinalsAsiaTotal
AppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssistsAppsGoalsAssists
Melbourne Victory2005–062111------2111
2006–07500------500
Wellington Phoenix2007–081811------1811
2008–091900------1900
2009–10600000---600
Total6922000---6922

Honours

Melbourne Victory

Australia U-20

References

  1. ^ "Michael Ferrante". ESPN FC. Archived from the original on 2 January 2013. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  2. ^ "The class of '99". TheFA.com. 1 January 2006. Archived from the original on 29 October 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2007.
  3. ^ "Wellington Snap Up Four More". Australian FourFourTwo. 1 May 2007. Retrieved 30 December 2013.
  4. ^ "Phoenix announce first signings". Queensland Football Website. 1 May 2007. Archived from the original on 15 May 2007. Retrieved 26 June 2007.
  5. ^ "Young Socceroo Matches for 1998". Archived from the original on May 8, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2025.
  6. ^ "Oceania U-20 World Cup 2001 Qualifiers". Retrieved March 13, 2025.