33 Facts About Marco Gabbiadini

Marco Gabbiadini was born on 20 January 1968 and is an English former professional footballer whose career lasted 18 years from 1985 to 2003.

Marco Gabbiadini played for 12 different clubs, scoring a total of 226 league goals.

Marco Gabbiadini started his professional career at York City as an apprentice at the age of 16 in 1984 and made his York City debut aged 17 as a substitute against Bolton Wanderers in March 1985.

Marco Gabbiadini's talent was spotted immediately and by the end of the season, York City manager, Denis Smith, told England manager, Bobby Robson, to call him into the England under-21 team in order to avoid being tied to playing for Italy, the birthplace of his father.

Marco Gabbiadini became the youngest player to score a hat-trick for York City at the age of 18 in an Associate Members' Cup victory against Darlington in November 1986.

Sunderland had been relegated to the Third Division and needed a goalscorer to help fire them back to the Second Division and Marco Gabbiadini was seen by Smith as the perfect signing.

Months later, Marco Gabbiadini lashed out and assaulted an Ipswich Town player while celebrating a hat-trick.

Marco Gabbiadini became Sunderland's first player to win the North East Player of the Year award, which was decided by football writers.

Marco Gabbiadini found it more difficult in the First Division, with Gates having left and the partnership Marco Gabbiadini created with new signing Peter Davenport struggled to live up to the glory days of The G-Force and he would struggle to score as regularly as previous seasons.

Marco Gabbiadini notched just 9 goals in 31 games, which at the time was his lowest total for any club season and Sunderland were relegated on the last day of the season.

Six days later Marco Gabbiadini broke Wearside hearts by leaving the club.

In total Marco Gabbiadini made 185 appearances for Sunderland scoring 87 times, an average of a goal every 2.13 games.

Marco Gabbiadini would become an established first team player for Derby up until the team got promoted to the Premier League.

Marco Gabbiadini played just 14 games for the Rams and saw himself being loaned out to Birmingham City and Oxford United.

Marco Gabbiadini's loan spell at Birmingham was cut short after he suffered another injury.

Marco Gabbiadini then decided to move abroad and signed for Greek side Panionios on a one-year contract.

Marco Gabbiadini was then offered a contract at Stoke City on a monthly basis.

Marco Gabbiadini failed to impress for Stoke and scored just once in nine appearances and he was not offered a permanent contract.

Marco Gabbiadini left the club when his contract expired in June 1998.

Marco Gabbiadini then joined his eighth club Darlington, where he spent a further two-years of his career.

Marco Gabbiadini was an immediate success for Darlington and he went on to score more than 50 goals for the club.

However, after the first semi-final leg against Hartlepool, Marco Gabbiadini was assaulted by a fan.

Marco Gabbiadini left the club in June 2000 after Darlington were beaten in the Division Three playoff final.

Marco Gabbiadini found himself often used as a midfield rather than as a striker.

Marco Gabbiadini participated in over 100 league and cup games for Northampton and scored over 30 goals.

Marco Gabbiadini's availability alerted his former club, Darlington, who offered him a contract and even let him train with them.

However, Marco Gabbiadini decided to sign for archrivals Hartlepool United instead.

Marco Gabbiadini's signing was initially met with discontent as a Hartlepool fan had previously assaulted him and he was considered an enemy of the club.

However, Marco Gabbiadini won the fans over by scoring seven goals in 12 starts and six substitute appearances.

Marco Gabbiadini then suffered knee injuries and was advised by doctors not to continue playing and was then denied to play against his old club Sunderland in Hartlepool's FA Cup match.

Marco Gabbiadini announced his retirement in January 2004, after making over 750 appearances in all competitions.

Marco Gabbiadini would go on to represent the England B squad.

Since August 2009, Marco Gabbiadini has co-presented Total Sport on BBC Newcastle with Simon Pryde and John Anderson.