Nobody who attended the play-off semi-final against Darlington in May 2000 would have expected Marco Gabbiadini to end his playing career as a Hartlepool player. Gabbiadini had been Darlington`s star striker for the past two seasons and was the player that opposition supporters loved to hate. He played the game right on the edge, moaning at referees and teammates, winning dubious free kicks, and above all scoring goals. As a Darlington player, and a great one at that, he was among the most unpopular opposition players ever to grace Victoria Park. In the first leg of the 1999/2000 play-off semi-final, Gabbiadini converted a controversial penalty to clinch a 2-0 away win for Darlington. As he left the pitch blowing kisses to the Pools supporters someone took exception, and Gabbiadini was greeted behind the stand with a punch in the face. Three years later, after a spell at Northampton Town, Gabbiadini was brought to Pools by Neale Cooper. The signing came as something of a surprise! After opening his account with a deft header to earn a point at Bristol City, Gabbiadini brought a touch of class to the forward line during his brief spell at the club. He was still niggly, and still won a number of dubious free kicks. But as they were our free kicks, nobody seemed to mind any more. He scored seven goals, the best of them a memorable mazy winner at Stockport County. Sadly, he only managed twelve starts and six substitute appearances before succumbing to injury and retiring from the game.