When the name Marco Gabbiadini comes up in conversation there’s only one thing that spring to mind.
Goals.
Gabbiadini scored 68 times for Derby in 227 appearances for Derby January 1992 and May 1997 after arriving from Crystal Palace for a fee of £1 Million.
His goalscoring prowess was so significant that the only player to surpass 60 goals for the club since the now 51-year-old is Chris Martin, who has 74 to his name.
Gabbiadini knew where the back of the net was, scoring 274 goals in just under 800 appearances in all.
His playing career began at York City and after a fruitful spell with Sunderland, he moved to Crystal Palace in October 1991.
Gabbiadini’s time at Selhurst Park, joining for a then club record £1.8 Million, was short-lived and he moved to the Baseball Ground four months later.
During Gabbiadini's first full season at Derby, in 1992/93, he was named as the Jack Stamps Player of the Year.
After some near misses, the Rams were eventually promoted to the top-flight under Jim Smith in 1995/96 with Gabbiadini scoring 13 times along the way.
Looking back on his time with the Rams, he said: “I was signed by Arthur Cox and the vision he had for the club, under Lionel Pickering, was exciting.
“I felt wanted for the right reasons and that was what convinced me to move to the Baseball Ground after such a short time at Palace.
“We were pushing for promotion straight away but just couldn’t make the final step and of course losing to Leicester City in the Play-Off Final in 1994 was heartbreaking.
“But under Jim Smith, we eventually made it. It was like we had failed in the past, so it was a relief to make it to the top flight.
“We had a bit more experience and made some key signings. Everyone played their part and it was great get promoted automatically. It was an exciting time; we had a good group.”
Gabbiadini had loan stints at Birmingham City and Oxford United before leaving Derby permanently, after 14 Premier League appearances, in the summer of 1997.
After a spell in Greece with Panionios, he went on to play for Stoke City, York for the second time, Darlington, Northampton Town and Hartlepool United before retiring.
He said: “I was sad to leave but Derby had made the step up and it was time for a new start.”
After hanging up his boots, Gabbiadini has certainly kept himself busy.
He opened Bishops guest house in York in 2003 with his wife and, many years down the line, it is recognised as one of the best guest houses in the tourist city of York.
Gabbiadini hasn’t given up on football completely and he is a director of Quantum Sport.
Their team of lawyers, agents and ex-professional sportsmen provide a holistic service to their clients, including professional footballers, across the whole of the UK.
He has also co-presented a football phone-in called Total Sport on BBC Newcastle for many years, reviewing the fortunes of the clubs in the North East, including his former employers Sunderland.
He said: “It’s better to be busy than have nothing to do! All of my work is varied and enjoyable too and, of course, you have to keep the wolf from the door.
“After I retired myself and my wife, Debbie, moved back to York and the life that we have has given us a great deal of flexibility.
“Being in the Guest House industry, so to speak, is something which has run in the family for both my parents and my wife’s family, so it felt quite natural to be honest to go down that route.
“I have also been doing some agency work as well; I am a Director now after a buy-out and we are building up player lists and contacts.
“I enjoy it and it’s one of those jobs that I didn’t think I’d be involved in that area of work ten years ago. I think we’re in a new era when it comes to agents and looking after players.
“As for the Phone-In; I never used to listen to them as a player really so it’s quite funny I’m on the other side of the fence. It didn’t really appeal to me to hear if I had a good or bad game, I knew that myself.
“I try and be positive, and probably get stick for being too positive at times.”
He added: “I really enjoy the life I’ve got now, but of course remember my playing days with great fondness.”
Marco Gabbiadini’s interview looking back on his playing career, as well as his life after retiring, is well worth watching - and you can catch it all on RamsTV.
