He scored for fun at Sunderland and Derby County - and now he runs a B&B | OneFootball

Inside the unique story of a former striker who now has a very ordinary career.

Marco Gabbiadini racked up goals for fun during stints with Sunderland and Derby County, but despite his vast numbers, he is now living a far more modest profession since retiring from football.

The former striker's story is by no means unique, as, before the days of astronomical wages and extensive television coverage, many players would have to forge very normal careers after hanging up their boots.

Gabbiadini flourished during long spells with the Black Cats and the Rams in the 1990s, scoring goals up and down the football pyramid, forging a reputation as a club legend with the Wearsiders.

The 58-year-old has not ventured too far from the North East since retiring in 2004 and can be found running his own B&B in the city of one of his former clubs.

How Marco Gabbiadini made early strides at York City

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Born in Nottingham, but raised in York, Gabbiadini made his debut for the Minstermen aged 17 as a substitute against Bolton Wanderers in March 1985.

While he did not find the back of the net on that occasion, the striker made no mistake on his full debut against Plymouth Argyle in the following game, scoring in a home win.

It did not take long for his ability to be spotted and, by the end of the season, York manager Denis Smith had told England manager Bobby Robson to call him up from the under-21s to deter him being tied to Italy.

The Nottingham-born hitman then became the youngest Minstermen player to score a hat-trick after netting three times against Darlington in November 1986 before he followed Smith to Sunderland in September the following year.

Gabbiadini forges legend status with Sunderland

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Sunderland's relegation to the third tier at the end of the 1986/87 season marked the lowest the club had ever been in their history, and they would need a goalscorer to return to Division Two at the first attempt.

Enter Gabbiadini, who had the confidence of Smith who nurtured the striker during his York days and knew how to get the best out of his man.

After failing to find the net in Sudnerland's opening defeat to Chester, Gabbiadini then bagged a brace against Fulham at Craven Cottage and followed that up with two successive doubles.

The striker notched an impressive 21 goals in 35 league appearances in his first season at Roker Park to lead the club back to the Second Division, forging a threatening partnership with Eric Gates as they became known as the G-Force.

Gabbiadini only improved and buzzed off the crowd as he became a fan favourite, totalling 26 goals in all competitions in the 89/90 campaign as the club finished in 11th.

The former England under-21 international guided the Wearsiders back to Division One the following season and went on to notch 74 goals in 157 appearances, the best numbers of his career.

Gabbiadini guides Derby County to Premier League

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Crystal Palace signed Gabbiadini to replace the departed Ian Wright, but the move yielded just seven goals, triggering another transfer to Derby in 1992.

In his first full season at the Baseball Ground, the striker was a revelation, netting 19 goals in all competitions, earning him the club's Player of the Year award.

Double-figure hauls followed in each of the next three campaigns as the Rams were promoted to the Premier League, ending their five-year exile from the top flight.

However, promotion to the Premier League meant opportunities were hampered, further condoned by a knee injury, meaning Gabbiadini was loaned out to Birmingham City and Oxford United before signing for Greek outfit Panionios in 1997.

Inside Gabbiadini’s B&B venture

Shortly after retiring in 2003, Gabbiadini and his wife, Deborah, took over Bishops Hotel in York, a restored Victorian property with en-suite bedrooms and breakfast facilities.

In a 2008 FourFourTwo interview, Gabbiadini said the hotel could accommodate around 36 guests on a busy weekend, meaning he and his wife could have a fairly hands-on operation.

Having started his career with York City, the former forward said he and Debbie wanted to settle back in the city, which was a particularly important place to them.

While it might have appeared a bizarre career step, the business wasn't completely unfamiliar territory as the guesthouse/hospitality industry had been part of both his and his wife's families, so moving into it felt natural.

Gabbiadini still has a close relationship with Sunderland and occasionally appears on local radio stations to discuss current events at his former club.