Marco Gabbiadini was one of the most prolific scorers in recent years for Darlington. Joining the club in the summer of 1998 Gabbiadini enjoyed the most successful spell of his career in front of goal after being described as 'past his best'. He went onto be rated as the best player in the club's history. In eighty-one league starts for Quakers Gabbiadini hit the net forty-eight times making him an obvious fan favorite.

Gabbers, as he was known to Darlington supporters, started his professional career at York City after being signed as an apprentice by Denis Smith as a teenager in 1982. His talent was spotted quickly and he selected for the England Under 18 team to avoid him being tied to playing for Italy - the birthplace of his farther. By the time Gabbiadini was seventeen he had made his York City debut in the 3-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers. From then on he quickly established himself in the first team and went onto notch 18 goals in fifty starts and twenty-one sub appearances for the Minstermen. He also scored his first hat-trick at the age of eighteen during York's 4-1 Freight Rover Trophy victory, ironically against Darlington.

His success at York saw Gabbiadini move to Sunderland for £80,000. He stayed at Roker Park until 1991 where he netted seventy-four league goals. A £1.8 million transfer to Crystal Palace came in October 1992. He was seen as a replacement for Ian Wright. However, Gabbiadini failed to live up to expectation and he made just twenty-five starts and scored just seven goals before transferring to Derby County for £1million 4 months later. The move to Derby proved successful and notched over sixty goals in all competitions.

Gabbiadini helped Derby make the Premiership in 1997 before finding first team chances limited. Loan spells at Birmingham City and Oxford United followed. Gabbiadini then decided to move abroad and signed for the Greek side Panionios. He however returned to England and York City in early 1998. While at York he only made seven appearances, scoring just one goal. York manager, Alan Little, told the board that Gabbiadini was 'past his best' and they decided not to offer him an extended contract.

York City's loss proved to be Darlington's gain. Gabbiadini signed for Quakers ahead of 1998/99 season. He was an instant success scoring twenty-five goals in his first season. His ability to move past players led to some fantastic goals and he struck up a good partnership with fellow striker Peter Duffield. There were few who handle Gabbiadini in division three at the time. Coupled with his skill and the ability to create goals out of nothing Gabbiadini bagged a stack of excellent looking goals which will take some beating.

Things got better and the following season (99/00) Gabbiadini scored twenty-eight goals and helped propel Quakers up the division three table. The goals however dried up near the end of the season and Darlington slipped from the top of the division into the play-offs. Gabbiadini's final goal of the season and his last ever for Darlington came in the play-off semi finals against rivals Hartlepool United.

Gabbiadini moved to Northampton the following season - the team who piped Quakers to the automatic promotion spot in 2000. There he scored thirty-goals before his departure in 2003. A brief spell with Hartlepool United followed before Gabbiadini called an end to his career. When Quakers moved from their Feethams home to their new stadium of Neasham Road in 2003 Gabbiadini was named as the club's best player as the club celebrated its past.