Gary Crosby (footballer)

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Gary Crosby
Personal information
Full name	Gary Crosby
Date of birth	May 8, 1964 (1964-05-08) (age 44)
Place of birth	Sleaford, England
Playing position	Midfielder
Senior clubs1
Years	Club	App (Gls)*
1982-1987 1986-1987 1986-1988 1987-1988 1987-1994 1993 1994-1997 1997-1998 1998-1999 1998-2005	Lincoln United Lincoln City Lincoln United Grantham Town Nottingham Forest → Grimsby Town (loan) Huddersfield Town Rushden and Diamonds Lincoln United Burton Albion	00? 0(?) 007 0(0) 00? 0(?) 009 0(2) 152 (12) 003 0(0) 044 0(6) 004 0(0) 00? 0(?) 003 0(0)
1 Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of March 30, 2007. * Appearances (Goals)

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, Gary 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.

[edit] The Dibble Incident

His most memorable goal coming against Manchester City in a 1-0 win for Forest, as Gary headed the ball out of goalkeeper Andy Dibble's hand before rolling the ball into an empty net. Gary 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. 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. His return to Ashby Avenue was to be short however as in October 1998 he linked up with close friend Nigel Clough, 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. The 2001/02 season saw Burton win the Unibond Premier Division title and promotion into the Conference under the Clough/Crosby management. Gary 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. Article adapted from original profile on Official Grantham Town website