Marco Gabbiadini

 

 

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Sunderland 1990 shirt

Marco Gabbiadini joined Sunderland from York City for £80,000 in September 1987, making his debut for Denis Smith’s team in a 0-2 Third Division defeat against Chester City at Roker Park on Saturday 26 September. Four days later Gabbiadini’s two goals, one in the first minute, one in the last minute, secured a 2-0 away at Fulham, and “Marco Goalo” followed up with two more in each of the next two home league games at Roker Park, against Aldershot and Wigan Athletic respectively, as his 21 league goals helped Sunderland to win the 1987-88 Football League Division Three Championship. Gabbiadini formed a formidable strike partnership with Eric Gates, and they are remembered especially for their goal apiece in the 1990 Play Off semi-final win at St James Park.  Gabbiadini was sold to Crystal Place for £1.8 million in October 1991, after appearing 185 times for Sunderland and netting 87 goals.

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