Gary Crosby (footballer)
Encyclopedia
Gary Crosby began his senior career at Lincoln United
. In his teenage years, he had been one of the most promising players in the Lincoln area and regularly appeared for Lincoln City
's youth and reserve sides. A slight but skillful player, it was often felt his physique would prevent him turning professional. He was finally given an opportunity in the professional ranks when he joined Lincoln City
on non-contract terms in September 1987. However, in a struggling team he found it difficult to make an impact and made just seven appearances for the Imps before rejoining Lincoln United. In 1988, Crosby came to the attention of Grantham Town
manager Martin O'Neill
while playing for the Lincolnshire County FA side and was soon signed by Grantham on a free transfer. He made just nine appearances for the Gingerbreads, scoring twice, before joining Nottingham Forest
for £20,000 (a club record) in December 1987 where he went on to make 152 appearances, scoring 12 goals, during a seven year career at the City Ground.
During his time at Forest, Crosby spent three games on-loan at Grimsby Town
, during the 1993/94 season, before joining Huddersfield Town
on a free transfer in 1994. Crosby made just 44 appearances for the club, scoring six goals. His spell at the Yorkshire club included an appearance at Wembley in the playoff final. The 1997/98 season saw him play a handful of times for Rushden and Diamonds and he returned to Lincoln United
for the start of the 1998/99 season.
, joining Burton Albion
as player/assistant manager. Their first game in charge came at Grantham in an FA Trophy replay at The Meres, in which Albion won 3–0. Crosby made his debut for the Brewers in the 1–1 draw with Nuneaton Borough on 3 November 1998. The 2001/02 season saw Burton win the Unibond Premier Division title and promotion into the Conference under the Clough/Crosby management. Crosby resigned from his position as assistant manager in January 2005, due to work commitments. However, following a short time out of the game Crosby returned to Burton Albion ahead of the 2006/07 season. By Christmas of the 2008/09 season Clough and Crosby had led Burton Albion to a 13 point lead at the top of the Blue Square Conference; however, in January 2009 Clough left Burton Albion to replace Paul Jewell
as manager of Derby County
.
In January 2009 Crosby followed Nigel Clough
to Derby County taking the position of assistant manager.
's hand before rolling the ball into an empty net.
Lincoln United F.C.
Lincoln United F.C. is an English football team which plays in the Northern Premier League. The club is based in Lincoln. 'The Whites', as they are commonly known, play at the Ashby Avenue ground, which backs on to Hartsholme Country Park.-History:...
. In his teenage years, he had been one of the most promising players in the Lincoln area and regularly appeared for Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
's youth and reserve sides. A slight but skillful player, it was often felt his physique would prevent him turning professional. He was finally given an opportunity in the professional ranks when he joined Lincoln City
Lincoln City F.C.
Lincoln City Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire. The club are currently members of the Conference National in 2011–12 following relegation from the Football League....
on non-contract terms in September 1987. However, in a struggling team he found it difficult to make an impact and made just seven appearances for the Imps before rejoining Lincoln United. In 1988, Crosby came to the attention of Grantham Town
Grantham Town F.C.
Grantham Town F.C. is a football club, based in Grantham, Lincolnshire, currently playing in the Northern Premier League Division One South. They are nicknamed The Gingerbreads and they play their home matches at the South Kesteven Sports Stadium . They were established in August 1874...
manager Martin O'Neill
Martin O'Neill
Martin Hugh Michael O'Neill, OBE, is a Northern Irish football manager and former player.Until resigning the post on 9 August 2010, he was manager of Aston Villa. Starting his career in his native Northern Ireland, O'Neill moved to England where he spent most of his playing career with Nottingham...
while playing for the Lincolnshire County FA side and was soon signed by Grantham on a free transfer. He made just nine appearances for the Gingerbreads, scoring twice, before joining Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
for £20,000 (a club record) in December 1987 where he went on to make 152 appearances, scoring 12 goals, during a seven year career at the City Ground.
During his time at Forest, Crosby spent three games on-loan at Grimsby Town
Grimsby Town F.C.
Grimsby Town Football Club is an English football club based in the seaside town of Cleethorpes, in North East Lincolnshire, England, who compete in the Conference National. They were formed in 1878 as Grimsby Pelham and later became Grimsby Town...
, during the 1993/94 season, before joining Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town F.C.
Huddersfield Town Football Club is an English football club formed in 1908 and based in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They currently play in League One...
on a free transfer in 1994. Crosby made just 44 appearances for the club, scoring six goals. His spell at the Yorkshire club included an appearance at Wembley in the playoff final. The 1997/98 season saw him play a handful of times for Rushden and Diamonds and he returned to Lincoln United
Lincoln United F.C.
Lincoln United F.C. is an English football team which plays in the Northern Premier League. The club is based in Lincoln. 'The Whites', as they are commonly known, play at the Ashby Avenue ground, which backs on to Hartsholme Country Park.-History:...
for the start of the 1998/99 season.
Coaching career
His return to Ashby Avenue was to be short lived and in October 1998 he linked up with close friend Nigel CloughNigel Clough
Nigel Howard Clough is an English former footballer and the current manager of Derby County. Playing predominately as a striker, but later in his career was used as a midfielder, Clough was capped by England 14 times in the early 1990s....
, joining Burton Albion
Burton Albion F.C.
Burton Albion Football Club are a professional English football club based in the town of Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. The club's home ground is the Pirelli Stadium, having moved from Eton Park in 2005...
as player/assistant manager. Their first game in charge came at Grantham in an FA Trophy replay at The Meres, in which Albion won 3–0. Crosby made his debut for the Brewers in the 1–1 draw with Nuneaton Borough on 3 November 1998. The 2001/02 season saw Burton win the Unibond Premier Division title and promotion into the Conference under the Clough/Crosby management. Crosby resigned from his position as assistant manager in January 2005, due to work commitments. However, following a short time out of the game Crosby returned to Burton Albion ahead of the 2006/07 season. By Christmas of the 2008/09 season Clough and Crosby had led Burton Albion to a 13 point lead at the top of the Blue Square Conference; however, in January 2009 Clough left Burton Albion to replace Paul Jewell
Paul Jewell
Paul Steven Jewell is a former English footballer who is currently the manager of Ipswich Town.His playing career started with Liverpool before moving to Wigan Athletic and then a ten-year spell with Bradford City...
as manager of Derby County
Derby County F.C.
Derby County Football Club is an English football based in Derby. the club play in the Football League Championship and is notable as being one of the twelve founder members of the Football League in 1888 and is, therefore, one of only ten clubs to have competed in every season of the English...
.
In January 2009 Crosby followed Nigel Clough
Nigel Clough
Nigel Howard Clough is an English former footballer and the current manager of Derby County. Playing predominately as a striker, but later in his career was used as a midfielder, Clough was capped by England 14 times in the early 1990s....
to Derby County taking the position of assistant manager.
The Dibble Incident
His most famous goal came against Manchester City in a 1–0 win for Forest, as Crosby headed the ball out of goalkeeper Andy DibbleAndy Dibble
Andrew Gerald "Andy" Dibble is a Welsh former professional football player who played as a goalkeeper.A journeyman who played for many different teams, Dibble won three caps for the Wales national football team....
's hand before rolling the ball into an empty net.
Honours
Nottingham ForestNottingham Forest F.C.
Nottingham Forest Football Club is an English Association Football club based in West Bridgford, Nottingham, that plays in the Football League Championship...
- Full Members CupFull Members CupThe Full Members Cup was an association football cup competition held in English football from 1985 to 1992. It was also known under its sponsored names of the Simod Cup from 1987 to 1989 and the Zenith Data Systems Cup from 1989 to 1992....
winners: 1992