Guido Tavellin was born in Legnago (Verona) on May 23 1920. His family were in the furniture business and when Guido was 13 moved to Verona.
He spent his youth career at Voluntas Verona and then Hellas Verona.
In 1939-40 he joined Hellas' first team squad. The Scaligeri were in Serie B and finished 13th and Tavellin played 5 league games with 1 goal. One of his teammates was the great Uber Gradella (Lazio keeper 1940-44 and 1945-49).
He then spent a year with Pro Ponte in Serie C before returning to Verona in 1941. He then stayed with the Gialloblu for another five seasons. The Scaligeri were now in Serie C and finished 5th, 1st (promoted to B), 2nd in the War League of Veneto and 4th in the B-C league after the war in 1945-46. He played 80 league games and scored 40 goals.
During the war Tavellin served in France and North Africa.
In 1946 he joined Bari for two seasons. The "Galletti" (Cockerels) were in Serie A and finished 7th and 11th. He had several managers including Hungarians, Janos Nehadoma, Andras Kuttik and Ferenc Plemich. Tavellin played 60 league games and scored 15 goals. One of his teammates was future Lazio Scudetto manager, Tommaso Maestrelli.
In 1948 Tavellin himself joined Lazio. It was a mediocre season and Lazio finished 13th, under first Orlando Tognotti and then Mario Sperone. Tavellin only played 7 league games with 1 goal (Lucchese). He did however get to play a Rome derby, which ended 1-1.
In 1949 he was sent back to Verona on loan. The "Mastini" (Mastiffs) were in Serie B and he played more regularly 34 games and was top scorer with 18 league goals. He had three different managers, Bruno Biagini, László Székely and Angelo Piccioli. One of his teammates was future Lazio, Ugo Pozzan (1957-61).
In 1950 he signed for Anconitana in Serie B. The Dorici were relegated under first Giovanni Degni and then Giovanni Corbjons. Tavellin played 30 league games with 7 goals.
Tavellin spent the 1951-52 season at Bolzano in the 4th tier before returning to Verona again in 1952-53 in Serie B. During the season he then joined Marzotto Valdagno in Serie B but only played 3 games.
His last club was Verona again between 1953 and 1955 in Serie B. The Gialloblu finished 7th and 15th and Tavellin played another 30 league games with 7 goals.
At 35 he retired and went into coaching.
He started assistant coach at Verona in 1956-57. The head coach was Angelo Piccioli and Verona won Serie B and promotion.
He was then manager of Verona from May 1958 to the end of the season which ended up in relegation to B, in 1959-60 (8th in B) when he coached future Verona legendary manager Osvaldo Bagnoli (Scudetto 1985) and in 1962-63 (7th in B and semi-finals of Coppa Italia). In 1966-67 he was manager of Rieti at regional level and won access to Serie D.
Tavellin was an attacking midfielder. He was extremely skilful, with excellent dribbling ability and a good shot. On the down side he was slightly inconsistent and not particularly physical. His best years were with Bari in Serie A.
He was only at Lazio for one season and only played 7 league games. He will be remembered far more fondly in Bari and Verona.
Guido Tavellin died on June 5 1994 in Verona.
Lazio Career
Season | Serie A Appearances (goals) |
1948-49 | 7 (1) |
Sources
Comments