Gary Crosby - Nottingham Forest

by David Scranage

Little Gary Crosby joined Nottingham Forest in December 1987 on the recommendation of a man who has gone on to prove himself as no mean judge of a footballer - Martin O'Neill. Crosby was playing under O'Neill at non-league Grantham Town when the former Forest star advised Brian Clough that here was a man who could play at a higher level. Clough liked what he saw and the waif-like winger was on his way to the City Ground. Crosby did not have to wait long for his debut as he made an appearance as a substitute for youngster Lee Glover in a 2-2 draw at home to Charlton Athletic in January 1988. He went on to feature in 13 of the remaining 17 League games including a dazzling performance in Forest's 2-1 win at home to Liverpool where the twinkle-toed winger tore Liverpool youngster Gary Ablett to shreds. Crosby scored his first goal for the club in a 3-2 win against Chelsea at the City Ground on and also netted the only goal of the game in Forest's victory at Birmingham City in the FA Cup fifth round. Crosby held his place for the quarter-final meeting with Arsenal as Forest pulled of a splendid 2-1 victory at Highbury and he also played in a 2-1 semi-final defeat against Liverpool at Hillsborough. That Liverpool game was played in front of a crowd of 51, 627 which was rather more than he had been used to in his Grantham days! The following season Crosby was struck down with a serious knee injury during the home game with Coventry City in November and sadly for the diminutive wide-man he was to miss out on Forest's twin Wembley date.

Gary Crosby was very much a regular during the 1989/90 season, starting 34 of 38 League games and scoring five goals in the bargain. One of the goals was particularly memorable as it came in Forest's 2-1 victory against fierce rivals Derby County at the City Ground. The tricky winger also bagged three goals on the road to Wembley as Forest retained the Littlewoods Cup with a 1-0 win against Oldham Athletic. This time there was to be no Wembley heartbreak for Crosby as he played the full 90 minutes on the Forest right flank. The following season saw Crosby, and Forest, taking a particular liking for Norwich City with the wide-man scoring in Forest's 6-2 romp at Carrow Road and also in the return game as the Reds strolled to a 5-0 win at the City Ground. He was back at Wembley again but this time it was a huge disappointment as Forest were beaten 2-1 a.e.t. by Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup final. Crosby had netted twice en route to Wembley including once in a 4-0 semi-final win against West Ham United at Villa Park. His other goal came in a remarkable tie against Crystal Palace as the Reds eventually triumphed 3-0 in a second replay. Forest had their annual trip to Wembley for the 1992 Rumbelows Cup Final, with Gary once again featuring, but they went down 1-0 to Manchester United in a rather disappointing game. Things took a turn for the worst for both club and player thereafter and Forest were relegated at the end of the 1992-93 season with Crosby scoring his last goal for the Reds in a 1-0 win at home to Queens Park Rangers. A new manger meant new ideas and Crosby managed just a handful of appearances under new boss Frank Clark before moving on to Huddersfield Town in September 1994.