Mark Crossley
Personal information
Full name Mark Geoffrey Crossley
Date of birth (1969-06-16) 16 June 1969
Place of birth Barnsley, England
Height 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s) Goalkeeper
Youth career
1987–1989 Nottingham Forest
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
1989–2000 Nottingham Forest 303 (0)
1990 → Manchester United (loan) 0 (0)
1998 → Millwall (loan) 14 (0)
2000–2003 Middlesbrough 23 (0)
2002 → Stoke City (loan) 1 (0)
2003 → Stoke City (loan) 11 (0)
2003–2007 Fulham 20 (0)
2006–2007 → Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 17 (1)
2007–2009 Oldham Athletic 59 (0)
2009–2010 Chesterfield 4 (0)
Total 452 (1)
International career
1990 England U21 3 (0)
1997–2004 Wales 8 (0)
Managerial career
2012 Chesterfield (caretaker)
2018 Notts County (caretaker)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Mark Geoffrey Crossley (born 16 June 1969) is a football coach and former professional footballer.

As a player, he was a goalkeeper from 1988 until 2011 and he has previously played for numerous clubs in England's top flight, notably for Nottingham Forest, where he became the only goalkeeper to stop a Matt Le Tissier penalty kick.[1] He has also played for Manchester United, Millwall, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Fulham, Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham Athletic and Chesterfield. He earned three caps for the England U21 team, but opted to switch allegiance to Wales and received eight full international caps between 1997 and 2004.

Following retirement, he moved into coaching and has worked as a goalkeeping coach at Chesterfield, Sheffield Wednesday, Barnsley and Notts County. During these times he has spent two spells in caretaker charge of a club, having managed Chesterfield in 2012 and Notts County in 2018.

Club career

Nottingham Forest

Crossley was born in Barnsley and began his career with Nottingham Forest in 1987 as a trainee. He started the 1988–89 season as fourth choice but Hans Segers and Paul Crichton were transferred in quick succession to Wimbledon F.C. and Peterborough United respectively, and when Steve Sutton fell ill, Crossley found himself thrust into the first team, playing in league wins over Liverpool and Newcastle United and a League Cup win over Coventry City before Sutton's return. He had a loan spell at Manchester United during the 1989–90 season but was never selected for the first team, although he played three times for the reserves.[2] He had two spells in Forest's team, firstly when Sutton was injured and later when Sutton suffered a loss of form.

He was a huge favourite with the fans, despite being prone to occasional mistakes, and made over 300 appearances in thirteen years with the club, becoming first-choice 'keeper at the start of the 1990–91 season. This was strengthened by Steve Sutton's move to Derby County in 1992. Crossley played in the 1991 FA Cup Final loss to Tottenham Hotspur, where he saved a penalty from Gary Lineker. He missed a run of games towards the end of the 1991–92 season, including the Full Members Cup and Football League Cup finals against Southampton and Manchester United respectively due to a breach of club rules. Andrew Marriott wore the gloves in his place, although Crossley regained his place for the next league game after the second final. He also has the dubious distinction of conceding the first Premier League own goal, in Forest's 4–1 defeat at Blackburn Rovers on 5 September 1992.

He was granted a testimonial match during the 1999–2000 season by Nottingham Forest, which was played in front of 15,000 supporters. During that season, Crossley found himself on the bench numerous times, playing second choice 'keeper to Dave Beasant. He was finally released from Forest, in 2000 as the club's financial troubles required them to reduce the wage bill.

Middlesbrough

Crossley joined Middlesbrough on a free transfer to provide competition as well as cover for the number one spot at the club. He made seven appearances in the 2000–01 season, but was sent off against Arsenal in November 2000, and did not play again for the rest of the season. He played 18 more games in the 2001–02 season. He was loaned out to Stoke City on 29 November 2002 and played against Gillingham the next day.[3] However, he was recalled by Boro until he re-joined Stoke towards the end of the 2002–03 season.[4] He played in 11 matches helping the club avoid relegation from the First Division.

Fulham

Crossley during his Fulham days.

Frustrated by not playing many games at Boro, Crossley joined Fulham for £500,000 in 2003 and made his debut against Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium on 23 September 2003.[5] He was mainly the second-choice goalkeeper during his time at the club, although he did have more opportunities to play in the first team during the 2005–06 season due to the sale of former number 1 goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar.[6] His finest match that season came when, deputising for the injured Finnish international Antti Niemi, he kept a clean sheet against champions Chelsea in a 1–0 victory, producing many saves as Chelsea piled pressure on late in the game. Before joining Sheffield Wednesday on loan, he was the number 3 'keeper to Niemi and Czech goalkeeper Jan Laštůvka at Fulham.

Sheffield Wednesday

Former teammate and Sheffield Wednesday manager Brian Laws made Crossley his first signing in November 2006, bringing him in on loan. Crossley impressed, with a string of fine performances and the loan deal was extended to the end of the season.[7] On 23 December 2006, Crossley scored a dramatic late equaliser for Sheffield Wednesday in a 3–3 draw with Southampton at Hillsborough, in his 481st career match, after coming up for a late corner.[8] However Iain Turner was brought in on loan and Crossley returned to Fulham.

Oldham Athletic

After being released by Fulham at the end of the 2006–07 season,[9] Crossley signed for League One side Oldham Athletic. He also took a coaching role at the club. He played most of the games available, despite being injured for 6 games in March.[10]

Crossley signed a one-year extension to his current contract, he was contracted at Latics until the end of the 2008–09 season.[11] After the final game of the season, the club reported that he and an assistant coach had parted with the club.[12][13]

Coaching career

In the summer of 2009 he joined Chesterfield as part of John Sheridan's new coaching team, as well as signing playing terms making him the club's second choice goalkeeper. In February 2011 Crossley announced he would be retiring from football at the end of the 2010–11 season.[14]

In July 2012 Crossley was approached by Birmingham City to become the club's new goalkeeping coach for the 2012–13 season, however the move fell through when Chesterfield could not agree on a compensation fee.[15] Following John Sheridan's dismissal from Chesterfield, Crossley was appointed caretaker manager alongside Tommy Wright.[16] In September 2012, despite having retired from playing in 2011, Crossley was named as an unused substitute in Chesterfield's 2–2 draw at York City, taking the number 26 shirt.[17] He left Chesterfield on 29 April 2013.[18] On 13 August 2013, Crossley joined Sheffield Wednesday as the Owls' academy goalkeeper coach. Crossley joined Barnsley on 27 March 2014 as a replacement to Ian Wilcox as new goalkeeping coach.

Prior to the 2015–16 season, Crossley rejoined Chesterfield as a coach.

On 21 June 2019, Crossley left the Notts County first-team coaching set-up.[19]

On 2 July 2019, Crossley rejoined Chesterfield as goalkeeper coach.[20]

International career

Crossley qualified to play for Wales through a Welsh grandparent. He was a regular in the Welsh international squad, but served as understudy to Neville Southall, and then Paul Jones. He started only eight games. His full international début came against the Republic of Ireland.[21] His most memorable moment with the national team was Wales' 4–0 win over Scotland. Prior to representing Wales, Crossley played for the England U21 team in a tournament in Toulon, France, in 1990.[22]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition[23]
Club Season League FA Cup League Cup Other[lower-alpha 1] Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Nottingham Forest 1988–89 First Division 2000100030
1989–90 First Division 80001010100
1990–91 First Division 3801004020540
1991–92 First Division 360409050540
1992–93 Premier League 370405000460
1993–94 First Division 370205020460
1994–95 Premier League 420204000480
1995–96 Premier League 380702080550
1996–97 Premier League 330303000390
1997–98 First Division 0000000000
1998–99 Premier League 120002000140
1999–2000 First Division 200004000240
Total 30303204001803930
Manchester United (loan) 1989–90 First Division 0000000000
Millwall (loan) 1997–98 Second Division 130000000130
Middlesbrough 2000–01 Premier League 5000200070
2001–02 Premier League 180301000220
2002–03 Premier League 0000200020
Total 230305000310
Stoke City (loan) 2002–03 First Division 120000000120
Fulham 2003–04 Premier League 1000100020
2004–05 Premier League 6000300090
2005–06 Premier League 130000000130
Total 200004000240
Sheffield Wednesday (loan) 2006–07 Championship 171200000191
Oldham Athletic 2007–08 League One 380502010460
2008–09 League One 210201000240
Total 590703010700
Chesterfield 2009–10 League Two 4000000040
Career total 45114405201905661

International

Appearances and goals by national team and year[24]
National teamYearAppsGoals
Wales 199710
199910
200010
200220
200310
200420
Total80

References

  1. ↑ Honeyball, Lee (6 January 2002). "How to...save a penalty". The Observer. London. Retrieved 26 May 2009.
  2. ↑ "Mark Crossley". redStat.co.uk. Retrieved 28 June 2020.
  3. ↑ "Crossley joins Potters". BBC Sport. 29 November 2002. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  4. ↑ "Stoke seal Crossley deal". BBC Sport. 7 March 2003. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Crossley joins Fulham". fulhamfc.com. Fulham F.C. 13 August 2003. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Crossley stakes his claim". fulhamfc.com. Fulham F.C. 15 June 2005. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
  7. ↑ "Crossley extends Owls' loan deal". BBC Sport. 5 January 2007.
  8. ↑ "Sheff Wed 3–3 Southampton". BBC Sport. 23 December 2006. Retrieved 16 August 2009.
  9. ↑ "Fulham release striker Radzinski". BBC Sport. 19 May 2007.
  10. ↑ "Oldham recruit veteran Crossley". BBC Sport. 14 June 2007.
  11. ↑ "Crossley agrees new contract". oldhamathletic.premiumtv.co.uk. Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 1 May 2008. Archived from the original on 4 April 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2008.
  12. ↑ "Crossley set to leave". Manchester Evening News. 23 April 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  13. ↑ "Wright & Crossley to depart". oldhamathletic.co.uk. Oldham Athletic A.F.C. 2 May 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2009.
  14. ↑ "Mark Crossley set to hang up his boots". Nottingham Post. 2 February 2011. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  15. ↑ "Birmingham move has fallen through". Nottingham Post. 9 July 2012. Archived from the original on 15 September 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  16. ↑ "Chesterfield manager John Sheridan relieved of duties". BBC Sport. 28 August 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  17. ↑ "York 2–2 Chesterfield". BBC Sport. 8 September 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  18. ↑ "Chesterfield: Tommy Wright and Mark Crossley leave club". BBC Sport. 29 April 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2013.
  19. ↑ "Mark moves on". nottscountyfc.co.uk. Notts County F.C. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
  20. ↑ "Crossley: "It's good to be back"". chesterfield-fc.co.uk. Chesterfield F.C. Retrieved 3 July 2019.
  21. ↑ "Crossley saves the day for Welsh". The Herald. Glasgow. 12 February 1997. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  22. ↑ Ingle, Sean (22 December 2003). "Please could you name the England U-21 team that played in the Toulon tournament in 1990?". Guardian Knowledge Unlimited. London. Retrieved 25 June 2012.
  23. ↑ Mark Crossley at the English National Football Archive (subscription required)
  24. ↑ Mark Crossley at National-Football-Teams.com
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