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Mark Geoffrey Crossley (born 16 June 1969) is a former English-born Wales international football goalkeeper, who is currently employed as the Goalkeeping Coach of Football League One side Chesterfield.

As a player his career lasted 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 Matthew Le Tissier penalty kick. He has also played for Manchester United, Milwall, Middlesbrough, Stoke City, Fulham, Sheffield Wednesday, Oldham Athletic and Chesterfield.

Club career

Nottingham Forest

"Norm", as he was known by Nottingham Forest fans during his stay at the City Ground, started his football career in 1987 as a trainee with The Reds.

He had a loan spell at Manchester United during the 1989-90 season but was never selected for the first team, although he played several games for the reserves.

He was a huge favourite with the fans, despite being prone to occasional mistakes, and made just under 400 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. He missed a run of games including the Zenith Data Systems Trophy and Rumbelows 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 has a great ability to save penalty kicks – he, former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper team mate Dave Beasant and Chelsea 'keeper Petr Čech remain the only goalkeepers to save a penalty (outside of a shootout) in the FA Cup Final, against Gary Lineker in 1991. Crossley is also the only 'keeper ever to have denied Matthew Le Tissier from the penalty spot. He also has the dubious distinction of scoring 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, against his will, 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 more games in the 2001–02 season, but the following season was loaned out to Stoke City in late 2002 and all of 2003. He made only 23 appearances in three years for Middlesbrough.

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.

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. 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 team mate 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.

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.

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, 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.

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

Coaching career

Chesterfield

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 clubs second choice goalkeeper. In February 2011 Crossley announced he would be retiring from football at the end of the 2010-11 season.

International career

Crossley 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 most memorable moment with the national team was Wales' 4–0 win over Scotland.