Giovanni Carlo Ferrari was born in Arcene (Bergamo), on February 1, 1949.
As a football player he was formed in the Monza youth sector. He was then in the first team squad in Serie C1 in 1966-67 but never made his debut. For the record the Brianzoli were promoted under Gigi Radice.
In 1967-68 Ferrari joined Nocerina in Serie D. He played 12 league games with 4 goals and the Rossoneri finished 3rd.
In 1968 he moved to Seregno, near Monza, in Serie D. The "Spartani" were promoted and then finished 13th. and 11th. Ferrari played 105 league games with 35 goals.
In 1971 he joined Rovereto in Serie C. He only played 8 league with 1 goal for the Zebrette who eventually finished 15th and left for Apulia.
In 1971-72 he was with Brindisi in Serie C1. The Messapici won promotion, in 1st place, under manager Luís Vinicio. Ferrari played 29 league games with 11 goals.
In 1972-73 he moved slightly further south to Lecce in Serie C1. He stayed two years and the Salentini finished 2nd twice. His managers were Giuseppe Corradi and former Lazio, Maino Neri (1966-67) in the first season and Roma legend Giacomo Losi in the second. Ferrari did well, playing 63 league games and scoring 36 goals. One of his teammates was, future Lazio manager, Giuseppe Materazzi (1988-90)
In 1974-75 he spent a season at Avellino in Serie B. The Irpini finished 16th under three different managers: Antonio Gianmarinaro (1-24), Elio Grappone (25-30), Oronzo Pugliese (31-34) and Gianmarinaro again (35-38). Ferrari played 35 league games with 8 goals. His teammates included former Lazio Mario Facco (1968-74).
In 1975-76 he joined Lazio in Serie A. The manager was first Giulio Corsini and then Tommaso Maestrelli returned despite his ailing health. It was a difficult year and Lazio only avoided relegation on the last game of the season. Charismatic leader Giorgio "Long John" Chinaglia had left for New York Cosmos in April. Ferrari played 6 league games with 1 goal (winner against Como in vital win), 7 in Coppa Italia and 3 in Coppa UEFA. He made his league debut in a home game against Bologna on November 2, 1976. He played little in the league due to the rise of young local talent Bruno Giordano.
The following year Ferrari joined Cagliari in Serie B. The Rossoblu had Lauro Toneatto as manager and finished 4th (missed out on promotion in 3-team playoff). Ferrari played 15 league games with 5 goals (Catania, Brescia, Modena, Varese, Ascoli) plus 1 game in the playoffs. He faced stern competition in attack from Pietro Paolo Virdis and Luigi Piras.
In 1977-78 he joined Pistoiese for a season in Serie B. The Arancioni finished 16th, first under Bruno Bolchi (1-11) and then Enzo Riccomini. Ferrari had a good season however playing 27 league games and scoring 13 goals. His teammates included former Lazio legend Mario Frustalupi (1972-75), Stefano Di Chiara (1973-76) plus a young Giuseppe Dossena (Scudetto with Sampdoria 1991) and Sergio Brio (4 titles with Juventus).
In 1978-79 Ferrari moved to the Adriatic Sea to Pescara in Serie B. The "Delfini" were promoted in 3rd place under manager Antonio Angelillo. Ferrari played 25 league games and scored 6 goals (Cagliari, Lecce, Genoa, Sampdoria, Pistoiese, Brescia) plus 3 games in Coppa Italia with 1 goal (Avellino). He therefore scored against four of his former clubs. One of his teammates was future Lazio Vincenzo Zucchini (1979-80).
In 1979-80 he played for Monza in Serie B. The Brianzoli finished 5th under Alfredo Magni. Ferrari played 24 league games and scored 5 goals (Matera x2, Ternana, Como, Vicenza). One of his teammates was future Lazio Paolo Monelli (1987-88) plus Daniele Massaro (4 scudetti with Milan).
In 1980-81 he stayed in Brianza under three different managers: Sergio Carpanesi (1-10), Lamberto Giorgis (11-30) and Franco Fontana (31-38). The Biancorossi ended up relegated in 20th position. Ferrari played 23 league games with 3 goals (Palermo, Varese, Foggia) plus 1 game in Coppa Italia. One of his teammates was future Lazio Antonio Elia Acerbis (1986-89). The two games against Lazio finished 2-2 in Monza and 2-0 to Lazio in Rome.
In 1981-82 he joined Salernitana in Serie C1. He stayed two seasons but only played 11 league games with 2 goals. The Granata finished 4th and 7th. The Ippocampi got through five managers: Antonio Gianmarinaro, Luigi Gigante and Romano Mattė the first year and Francisco Lojacono and Marino Perani in the second. One of his teammates was again Vincenzo Zucchini.
His last club was then Brembillese, near Bergamo, in 1983-84, in C2. The Biancazzurri were relegated and Ferrari played 27 league games with 6 goals.
At 35 Ferrari then retired.
Ferrari was a forward. He had a decent career but not at top level. He played 146 games in Serie B with 40 goals and 111 in C1 with 50 goals. He won three promotions: one to C2 with Seregno, one to Serie B with Brindisi and one to Serie A with Lecce. In Serie A he only played 6 games with Lazio but played alongside legends such as Felice Pulici, Pino Wilson, Luciano Re Cecconi, Renzo Garlaschelli, Vincenzo D'Amico and Chinaglia and also played in Europe.
At Lazio he had two things against him. One was he was chosen by Giulio Corsini who was then sacked and the second was the explosion of young talent Bruno Giordano. Without these two factors his stay in Rome and his career may have turned out differently.
Lazio Career
Season | Total appearances (goals) | Serie A | Coppa Italia | UEFA Cup |
1975-76 | 16 (1) | 6 (1) | 7 | 3 |
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