Club career
He played for Sydney United, Parramatta Power and Newcastle United Jets in the now defunct National Soccer League. He also had a brief stint with Leeds United where he made two appearances. [1]
He joined the Newcastle Jets on 31 July 2006, for an undisclosed fee after a brief spell in England with Leeds United, [2] having signed from Swiss club Neuchâtel Xamax on 17 January 2006. [3] He 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". [4]
After joining the Newcastle Jets in the 2006–07 season Griffiths quickly formed the basis of the team that underwent a strong resurgence under new coach Gary van Egmond. [5] His memorable performances include scoring two goals in extra time against Perth Glory in round 20 to draw the game at 3–3. [6] At the end of the regular season Griffiths had contributed a total of 6 goals for the Jets. [7] [8] The Jets would finish third in the regular season and be narrowly knocked out of the chance to play in the AFC Champions League and the 2007 Grand Final. [9]
In the 2007–08 season, his twin brother Adam Griffiths joined the team. With the loss of key attacking players such as Nick Carle, Milton Rodríguez and Vaughan Coveny, Griffiths became the key to the Jets attack throughout the season. Early in the season Griffiths controversially assaulted a linesman, for which he was awarded a yellow card, narrowly escaping harsh punishment due to FIFA regulations. His club fined him two weeks' wages (one week of which was suspended). He later apologised for his actions. His performances on the pitch quickly lead him to be the focus of much media attention, with Griffiths remaining in career best form for much of the season.
Two goals against Melbourne Victory in round 17 saw him called into the training squad for the A-League based Socceroos, but later had to withdraw from the squad due to injury. At the end of Griffiths' outstanding regular season he had scored 12 goals, which earned him the A-League Golden Boot award. Finishing second in the regular season on goal difference, the Jets later went on to win the Grand Final.
With the conclusion of the season, Griffiths joined J2 League side Avispa Fukuoka on a loan spell. On 5 March 2008, it was announced that he joined the Japanese club on loan. In July, he returned to Newcastle. Joel was set to become the Newcastle Jets million dollar man and play as a marquee player. However this was cancelled, with Griffiths joining brother Ryan at Chinese club Beijing Guoan on a year long loan.
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. Although contracted to the Newcastle Jets for another two years, Griffiths refused to attend training. After impressing on loan at Beijing Guoan, he joined them on a permanent basis. Newcastle Jets agreed to an undisclosed fee.
Griffiths refused to extend his contract with Beijing Guoan and made a free transfer to Guoan's rival club Shanghai Shenhua in January 2012. [10] Griffiths's contract with Shanghai Shenhua ended at the end of 2012.
Griffiths signed with Sydney FC in December 2012, being eligible to play with them from 14 January 2013. [11]
In only his second appearance for Sydney F.C, a 3–1 loss to Melbourne Victory on 26 January 2012, Griffiths was alleged to have abused an assistant referee. [12] He was handed a three-match suspension by the FFA's match review panel on 1 February 2013.
Following an underwhelming career for Sydney FC, he was released on 16 July 2013. He 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. On 11 January 2014, it was announced that he would return to the Newcastle Jets until the end of the season, at least. [13] This was a very popular move amongst fans who still view him as a hero.
Griffiths was sacked from the Newcastle Jets by owner Nathan Tinkler, along with fellow players Kew Jaliens, Adrian Madaschi, and Billy Celeski after a player revolt leading up to, and following a 7–0 drubbing at the hands of Adelaide United. David Carney was reportedly also sacked by Tinkler but this was disputed by Carney and he remained with the club, although Stubbins refused to play him. Griffiths was then signed by Wellington Phoenix on a short term contract through to the end of the 2014/15 A-League season but suffered a serious knee injury.
